Video: My Hydrogen Rocket (Update: 2nd Prototype!)

[Egg Nog]

We've been fiddling around with an electrolyser that we made, converting water into a gaseous hydrogen/oxygen mixture. After producing about half of a large juice container full, we were ready to test our "rocket".

The igniter is just an extension cord, cut off at one end, and with two tiny inner wires connected to make a short circuit (and a spark). You can see this at the very beginning of the video clip.

So anyway, the cord and igniter was shoved into the bottle, and it was flipped over into a bowl of water, so as not to let any of the gas escape. It worked pretty well, too, considering that this was the first time we've actually tried this (other than just blowing up bags of hydrogen ).

We got around three metres of height. Enjoy the video I'll keep you guys posted as we build more prototypes.

P.S. I'm the guy who says "woah" after it goes off, in case anyone cares...


EDIT: By the way, the reason we sound so excited is because we totally didn't expect it to work at all. This was the first time we had done it, and the hypothesis was that the top of the bottle would be too weak, and would just burst under load of the explosion.

[UK CARS]

little rebels!

[eyebrows]

what a laugh that was funny as all hell. very cool guys might try that one myself (i need a thinking smily face oh well u can imagine)

[whiteballz]

hehehe awsome!

[drakkie]

The new team of NASA

[byronleehk]

Nice water bottle...I mean 'rocket'

[UK CARS]

dont you do this kind of stuff when your in cubs/scouts....age like 8 j/k

[DarkPhenix]

Lol!!!! Awesome!!! I will try do one...

[GT500]

haha, you have too much spare time on yer hands!

[Egg Nog]

dont you do this kind of stuff when your in cubs/scouts....age like 8 j/k

Cub scouts don't know set-up a home-made electrolysis system...


Anyway, the amazing thing about this "rocket" is that it was powered entirely by water. The liquid water was propellant, and the hydrogen/oxygen was obtained from water as well.

If anyone wants some instructions, I'd be able to give you some...

[mr bill]

Way to much time on your hands Shaun... WAY to much time.

[Egg Nog]

Way to much time on your hands Shaun... WAY to much time.

It's Shawn.

I honestly don't understand people's criticisms of time-worthiness, in most cases, not just this. What have any of us accomplished by wasting away days talking about cars? Where has that gotten us? We do it because we enjoy doing it, exactly like why my brother and I did this.

I know you're being sarcastic Alex, but my point is still made Arguing for the sake of arguing

[mr bill]

Welcome to my world.... Shaun (thats right, its stickng you wisely little bugger).

Muhauhauauha!

On that note, are you guys planning on making any expansions to your saddly propelled rocket? Like say, a two stage solid fuel booster?

[Egg Nog]

Woohoo! Okay, the second test was a huge success. Rather than around 3 metres like we got last time, we got around 20! This was using around a 2:1 fuel/propellant mixture, and a 2 litre plastic bottle. The smaller nozzle diameter was also a huge contributing factor.

In the video:

• First clip is the electrolysis process, inside the bottle (our 2nd gen. electrolyser)
  
• Next is the external ignition test
  
• Then the launch. This part kicks ass.
  
• What you see floating down is a little cardboard parachute module that my brother made. Just for kicks, I guess

Enjoy! it's pretty cool to see how much we've progressed in only a day as far a designing goes.

[mfphenom]

very nice lol