Hovercraft B/C

[dmis]

So exactly what kid of design are you using for your skirt. (Wall,Bag, Finger)
My hovercraft is barely lifting with 1 penny roll so I think its the problem with my skirt. (I'm pretty sure my fan can put me in the Hospital )
My skirt is just a plastic bag with a big hole in the middle.

I was able to lift more than 2kg with a wimpy skirt like that. I Have to agree with the others in that the issue is most probably your fan, although it could be your power source

My fan can cut of a finger. A FINGER! Also I think i have a good battery. Probably because my motor ways like 2 pounds

Spinning fast and having a sharp edge does not necessarily make a blade best for the hovercaft. Thought realistically, I would expect you are right about the problem,

[geniusjohn5]

Someone told me that holes poked in the skirt of a Hovercraft make it more effective? Can someone explain how so?

[Unome]

Someone told me that holes poked in the skirt of a Hovercraft make it more effective? Can someone explain how so?

Without holes in the skirt (or some sort of opening), there's no hovering. The hovering is caused by air rapidly rushing out of the hole/holes (anywhere from one fairly small hole to dozens/hundreds of miniscule ones) and escaping horizontally, pushing the bottom of the skirt up.

[geniusjohn5]

What should I use for mass testing? I know that at the competition, rolls of pennies will be provided. But when I'm testing/practicing on my own, I obviously don't have 800 total pennies at my disposal
So my question is where and how can I get rolls of pennies?
If not, what can I use for mass testing for my hovercraft?

[Unome]

What should I use for mass testing? I know that at the competition, rolls of pennies will be provided. But when I'm testing/practicing on my own, I obviously don't have 800 total pennies at my disposal
So my question is where and how can I get rolls of pennies?
If not, what can I use for mass testing for my hovercraft?

You can get rolls of pennies from most banks (or so I've heard).

[geniusjohn5]

Someone told me that holes poked in the skirt of a Hovercraft make it more effective? Can someone explain how so?

Without holes in the skirt (or some sort of opening), there's no hovering. The hovering is caused by air rapidly rushing out of the hole/holes (anywhere from one fairly small hole to dozens/hundreds of miniscule ones) and escaping horizontally, pushing the bottom of the skirt up.

Sorry I'm very new to Hovercraft? Can you elaborate on that concept more? Thanks!

[reed303]

Someone told me that holes poked in the skirt of a Hovercraft make it more effective? Can someone explain how so?

Without holes in the skirt (or some sort of opening), there's no hovering. The hovering is caused by air rapidly rushing out of the hole/holes (anywhere from one fairly small hole to dozens/hundreds of miniscule ones) and escaping horizontally, pushing the bottom of the skirt up.

Sorry I'm very new to Hovercraft? Can you elaborate on that concept more? Thanks!

Some reading here may help: https://scioly.org/wiki/index.php/Hovercraft#Skirt

[mattruff]

Are we able to use elastic band motors in our hovercraft?

[SPP SciO]

I was able to lift more than 2kg with a wimpy skirt like that. I Have to agree with the others in that the issue is most probably your fan, although it could be your power source

My fan can cut of a finger. A FINGER! Also I think i have a good battery. Probably because my motor ways like 2 pounds

Spinning fast and having a sharp edge does not necessarily make a blade best for the hovercaft. Thought realistically, I would expect you are right about the problem,

Our team is having some trouble solving the weight problem. The more powerful the motor, more powerful battery, all add extra weight. Last year, it wasn't a problem, because of the 2kg limit, but the penny challenge is tough!

Here's what we're working with:

https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/ ... ND/4702514 for a propulsion fan,
https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/ ... ND/2560506 for the lift fan.

Both of them are running on 8.4v NiMH battery packs, which are much heavier than equivalent output lithium batteries. I am not sure if I would advise other teams to buy these fans, since they're expensive, and in our limited experience, they haven't been working out great. The first one is super dangerous too - shielding absolutely a must before even turning it on to test.

[Birdmusic]

Are we able to use elastic band motors in our hovercraft?

I doubt that would be very effective, since everyone else will probably be using electrical motors, however, it is allowed.