Motor maniac!

[Colapop]

Ok, here's the deal - I've got a build project in my head...

I'm thinking about building a hovercraft (fibreglass body) and I need a lawnmower engine or similar. It doesn't have to be going but at least able to get going. This will be my main fan engine. Still considering options for the drive engine (though I do have a 50cc scooter in the gargre) not sure whether that will have the strength I'll need to run a propeller (probably not).

Anyone got anything like that laying around getting in the way...?

[paturoa]

You might need a bit bigger than a lawn mower engine for that. There are a whole bunch of diy sites on the net and bigger seems to be the go for the motors.

For and idea check out this http://www.hovercraft.com/content/index.php?main_page=index You must watch the X19 videos that is ths shiz!

[Colapop]

For the fan motor I don't want to go too big (weight) and they have good solid torque that can be ramped up with a 1:2 or something pulley drive (or something)

[judecatmad]

Ok, here's the deal - I've got a build project in my head...

I'm thinking about building a hovercraft (fibreglass body) and I need a lawnmower engine or similar. It doesn't have to be going but at least able to get going. This will be my main fan engine. Still considering options for the drive engine (though I do have a 50cc scooter in the gargre) not sure whether that will have the strength I'll need to run a propeller (probably not).

Anyone got anything like that laying around getting in the way...?

We have a couple of redundant lawnmowers that Dave was going to list on TradeMe....one's even a hovermower - halfway there already!

[Skunk]

For the fan motor I don't want to go too big (weight) and they have good solid torque that can be ramped up with a 1:2 or something pulley drive (or something)
I don't think it'll have the power to do that. You'll at least 3-5hp to move enough air to get the lift required I think.
There is a NZ company making kitsets that exports to the States. If I find their site I'll post it.


edit
Found the site: http://www.hoverworks.co.nz/index.htm

Also look at this http://www.hovercraft.com/content/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=39

[Curious_AJ]

i dont have anything like that lying around,.... but you can give me the scooter if you want :yes:

[Quartermile]

Coooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool a hover craft:drool:

[Ixion]

*Sigh*. Another sucky hover thing. Go see Mr Motu. He has lawnmowers. And knows about sucky hover things. They lied to us.

[Colapop]

Well I reckon if you can get 'hover' by using a leaf blower or small motor modified to blow air then you could get lift by using a mower engine. Weight is the issue - obviously the heavier it is, the harder it's going to be to get the air cushion filled. Still thinking/investigating...

[Quartermile]

I think they did it on mythbusters??, have a look on U tube.....

[Colapop]

Yeah they did but they way they did it didn't seem very well thought out...

[crashe]

Mate bring ya car back up to West Auckland....
Tis the onroad shopping time.....
Everything is there at your fingertips.......
Well thats if you get in before the other scavengers.

Yep it is the inorganic/rubbish collection season in West Auckland
You name it it has been dumped on the side of the road...

Everything that you want and need for your project will be sitting there.... Waiting for you. :whistle:




Oh and its all FREE.

[gijoe1313]

Yer mad...and I love ya for it! I think you're just missing the Red Bull Flying Machine competition! But yeah, way cool to have a hovermecraft as a build project!

[XP@]

Ok, here's the deal - I've got a build project in my head...

I'm thinking about building a hovercraft (fibreglass body) and I need a lawnmower engine or similar. It doesn't have to be going but at least able to get going. This will be my main fan engine. Still considering options for the drive engine (though I do have a 50cc scooter in the gargre) not sure whether that will have the strength I'll need to run a propeller (probably not).

Anyone got anything like that laying around getting in the way...?

Have a lawn mower engine in a bucket (vertical shaft)
Also a fan

Depends what you want to lift. I would guess you may just about be able to get a kid to float with that lot.

I've also experimented with smaller version: pc fan + 12v motor and 2*9v batteries mounted on a meat tray was the best (on garage floor).

Dick smith used to have a small RC hover craft, on our flat butynol deck it was crap.

PS what the bloody hell you doin up at 7:30 thinking about project hovercraft?

[Hans]

Would be interesting combining it with the whole flight in ground effect thing. I could give a bit of advice on that, as could a lot of the other flyboys here. Anyways, I think a bike engine of around at least 30-40kw would be good for the hover component. And another one for propulsion. Should be fun. Can discuss over coffee if you want. I'm all for helping you out on this one.

[Wasp]

I shotgun first test flight!