Pneumatic Antenna Launcher Testing
Pressure Safety and Performance Tests
Important Notes
Always Wear Eye Protection. If the PVC were to fail during this test it could cause injury.
Glue joints should be cured a minimum of 24 hours before performing any pressurization of the launcher.
Testing Plan
After assembling the launcher, but prior to glueing the trigger assembly, perform the two tests - Initial Pressure Safety Test and Initial Trigger Performance Test. Then cement the trigger assembly (see
CsvTrigAsm) and return to do the remaining tests.
The purpose of this test is to see if the launcher holds pressure safely. This test should be completed before any other tests.
- Cover the launcher with heavy cloth for safety
- Pressurize the launcher to 80 psi
- Let stand for 30 minutes while observing from a safe distance, keeping the launcher covered
- Drain off remaining pressure by pushing on the pin in the fill valve
Initial Trigger Performance Test
The purpose of this test is to insure that the trigger is working adequately before glueing it. The unglued trigger may leak some air, this will be fixed when the joints are cemented.
- Load a standard, unweighted tennis ball in the barrel and push it fully in till it stops
- Pressurize to 20 psi (with an SDR21 barrel, or 30 psi with a schedule 40 barrel)
- Inspect the trigger area for leaking and cracks (occasionally new triggers have cracks, generally at the base where the adapter screws in - if cracks are found the trigger will need to be replaced)(minor leakage in the unsealed threads is normal and not of concern at this time)
- Launch the ball in a safe direction
- The ball should come out of the barrel with some velocity (but not a great deal)
- If it does not come out of the barrel try again - reseating the tennis ball to the bottom of the barrel, increasing the pressure by 5 psi and retesting
- If it still does not come out of the barrel see CsvTrouble
- When it passes this test proceed to CsvTrigAsm and then return for the remaining tests
Leak Test
The purpose of this test is to see if the launcher has minimal leaking
- Cover the launcher with heavy cloth for safety
- Pressurize the launcher to 80 psi
- Check the pressure gauge in 5 minutes
- It should lose no more than 5 psi
- If it leaks, see CsvTrouble
Pressure Soak Leak Test
The purpose of this test is to see if pressure over an extended duration causes leakage or other problems
- Increase pressure to maximum (80 psi for CSV19, 90 psi for CSV17)
- Let stand for an hour
- Afterward more than 50 psi should remain
- If it leaks, see CsvTrouble
Launcher Performance Test
The purpose of this test is to see if the launcher has reasonable performance
- A safe place to launch a tennis ball is required for this test
- Load a standard unweighted tennis ball into the barrel
- Pressurize the Launcher to 40 psi
- Outside in a safe place aim the launcher straight up and quickly pull the trigger
- The ball should launch approximately 100 feet high
- If it does not see CsvTrouble
See Also
AlanB