maxi mod for fun

[reefkprz]

was goofing off in the workshop before work today and I got the idea I would build a maxi mod, so I made a quick run to the local hobby shop and picked up a carbon fiber shaft a plastic sleeve and 2 probopat 1:12 hydro props for racing boats..... I had 1 1/2 pvc kicking around already.. took me about an hour to build it because I had to think my way through it. I remembered mnost of what I had watched on line about modding them, but I didnt bother looking everything up again and just went out to the workshop to reinvent the wheel. I was worried about cavitation but, much to my delight, it seems my worries were unfounded
holy crap does it work well. here is a few pictures of the ugly device. I'll link up a vid once it loads.

 

[reefkprz]

I'm definatly going to mod all my maxijets for the 125. I'm also going to try modding some of my other powerheads like rios to see if I can do it. I dont care how ugly this unit is the flow is insane.

 

[reefkprz]

the vid.

 

[mie]

Ugly! Heck yah!
Very cool!
I am such a huge fan of diy.

 

[reefkprz]

I had to call 4 different hobby shops before I found one nearby that carried what I wanted. so few people up here run -- boats and those that do only seem to run nitro which is all stock fit no custom except stock custom. about the lamest way to go IMO. seems there are a thousand places around that do toy trains but not boats, planes, and cars, only one and he has a limited selection.

 

[mie]

So is this a gheto hydor?

 

[reefkprz]

Originally Posted by mie
http:///forum/post/3183354
So is this a gheto hydor?
way better than a hydor same flow (or more) cost 1/2 as much. cant beat it. I have had the maxi jet I modded for about 6 years so i got my moneys worth out of it.
If this is a ghetto hydor I'm never leaving the "hood" again.

 

[aquaknight]

LOL nice work!
I've got some props as tokens from my failed ventures in r/c gas boats, only problem is the props are metal (Beryllium Copper) as large as the Maxi case itself

What's the clean tubing connecting the prop to the magent? Just some rigid airline?

 

[reefkprz]

Originally Posted by AquaKnight
http:///forum/post/3183391
LOL nice work!
I've got some props as tokens from my failed ventures in r/c gas boats, only problem is the props are metal (Beryllium Copper) as large as the Maxi case itself

What's the clean tubing connecting the prop to the magent? Just some rigid airline?
its actually just rigid plastic tubing they had at the hobby shop, none of the LFS around here stock platic airline

 

[spanko]

Originally Posted by reefkprZ
http:///forum/post/3183415
its actually just rigid plastic tubing they had at the hobby shop, none of the LFS around here stock platic airline
Huh? That plastic stuff was the air pump to airstone path in all undergravel filter lift tubes. I am surprised they don't carry any pcs.

 

[reefkprz]

Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/3183429
Huh? That plastic stuff was the air pump to airstone path in all undergravel filter lift tubes. I am surprised they don't carry any pcs.
yeah me too. maybe ***** has some but I dont shop there if I can avoid it. and I'll drive 20miles out of my way to avoid it.

 

[reefkprz]

ok here is the second victim of modding I wont have time to finish this build this morning I have some stuff to do around the house, and have to work early today. but I'll finish this in the next day or two. as you can see th ceramic shaft is broken and since it was a cheap powerhead I didnt bother getting a new one so it makes it ideal for modding since its just a paper weight right now, I wont be out anything if it doesnt work out.

 

[reefkprz]

got lucky I had some pvc laying around (ok I have a lot laying around I always buy extras when I do projhect just so I have spare parts for later) one of my threaded slip ons actually fits inside the powerhead base so snugly I dont have to fear it falling out. and I will be able to thread the guard onto the powerhead, it also slides in far enough to mostly block the old exit hole to keep fish out but will allow some water in at the far back to help cool the magnet.
I have to head to work now. more to come on this later.

 

[reefkprz]

I have been doing a little research on hydrodynamics. I think I am going to apply a little of the Bernoulli Principle in this second powerhead to create an even more turbulent flow. perhaps a couple small disks or cubes in the flow path to break it up even more. not quite sure yet.

 

[mie]

Ok it's later!

 

[reefkprz]

it is later, but not later enough yet

I spent my day doing christmassy things with the wife, and working on my random reef keeping article. perhaps tommorrow mornign I will have time to work on the second mod. as today is the only day the wife and I have off together I only get the time to do stuff in which she does not require my attendance (when she is relaxing reading a book). I have to go watch a movie now but I will try to get back on the mods really soon.

 

[mie]

We need a whooped icon.

I know wus up, I am married as well.

 

[reefkprz]

unfortunatly the first collar I had for this second power head shattered when cutting the slots into it, my workshop is below freezing and the plastic couldnt take it, it was a really neet explosion of plastic everywhere....
so I moved on. I used just a piece of inch and a half pvc and tapered the end thats going to be the male end to mate up with the powerhead so it fit as snug as that collar did. I then cut some slots and drillled some holes in it to allow flow it.
now this is where bernoulli's principal comes into play. according to bernoulli the worst shape for hydrodynamics to allow laminar flow is a disk. so I cut my center brace with a large disk right in the center of it (ok so its roughly a disk shape) it is also slightly concave with the lips facong down into the powerhead. this will reduce flow somewhat but should be just about gauranteed to cause chaotic flow, instead of laminar, which is the whole idea for these mods (along with picking up a few GPH).
here are a few pictures of what I have. I am going to go clean it all up then start glueing.

 

[reefkprz]

waiting for the gluwe to dry....

 

[reefkprz]

a quick vid of it running in my sink. obvioulsy not a lot lo laminar flow as laminar flow would have shot right up over the side of the sink. but plenty of flow overall