hey, everybody. I'm currently working on a prop project for a film buddy of mine and I've come across an electrical problem. I'm great with mechanical issues, but once it becomes a question of volts and amps, I'd rather have a few educated/experienced answers.
I'm building a squib cannon. Basically, you pressurize a tank up to about 10-20 psi, attach a ball valve, hook a "bloodline" to it full of movie blood, hide the end of the hose under the actors costume, and on cue release the pressure, causing a very messy (and hopefully impressive) explosion of movie gore. Safer and cheaper than explosive squibs, I've used other people's rigs about a dozen times on set.
Usually, its a PCV pipe with a ball valve and garden hose. I figured I could make a better one. Electrically triggered with a solenoid valve and a sturdier construction.
However, after I started looking around, I couldn't find any 9V solenoids that can withstand 100 psi. Most of the solenoids I've found are in the 12 or 24V DC.
I was wondering if I could use multiple 9V batteries in series to generate enough electrical power to activate one of these solenoids. Would that work? or would it be an epic failure? I need the solenoid to fire rapidly and efficiently, on cue with the hit of a trigger. Timing is very important. Also, if it worked, would my batteries be dead in a few shots or would I at least get a couple dozen blasts before I had to change them?
If anybody out there has any electrical experience that could help, I'd appreciate it.
I'm building a squib cannon. Basically, you pressurize a tank up to about 10-20 psi, attach a ball valve, hook a "bloodline" to it full of movie blood, hide the end of the hose under the actors costume, and on cue release the pressure, causing a very messy (and hopefully impressive) explosion of movie gore. Safer and cheaper than explosive squibs, I've used other people's rigs about a dozen times on set.
Usually, its a PCV pipe with a ball valve and garden hose. I figured I could make a better one. Electrically triggered with a solenoid valve and a sturdier construction.
However, after I started looking around, I couldn't find any 9V solenoids that can withstand 100 psi. Most of the solenoids I've found are in the 12 or 24V DC.
I was wondering if I could use multiple 9V batteries in series to generate enough electrical power to activate one of these solenoids. Would that work? or would it be an epic failure? I need the solenoid to fire rapidly and efficiently, on cue with the hit of a trigger. Timing is very important. Also, if it worked, would my batteries be dead in a few shots or would I at least get a couple dozen blasts before I had to change them?
If anybody out there has any electrical experience that could help, I'd appreciate it.
