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Major Components To Making Snow

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*cowboy*
Posts: 8830 - Karma: 214
Well, I have been doing lots of research about making a snow gun and have been talking to lots of people. Anyways, there is only 1 real important thing to building snow...

an air compressor.

You will need an air compressor that put's out at least 4 SCFM (CFM) @ 90 psi. Once you get this compressor, the only other things you need are a garden hose (water source) and cold temps! Basically that's it! It's very simple. I am awaiting the arrival of my air compressor.. I ordered it online last week, so it should be here this week. Then i will be able to test it! I'll put up some pictures of my snowgun that i built probably tomorrow..




-Jason
Nov 1 2003 10:16PM
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3ski6guy0
Posts: 9201 - Karma: 132
Hey, where did you buy ur compressor and how much did it cost? Tell us if it works and also how much water it uses up.
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BC Fusion - Skier Tested, Mother Approved
Nov 2 2003 12:44PM
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SkiRoundtopRules
Posts: 158 - Karma: 10
Would a 4 gallon, 2 hp compressor be too small?
Nov 2 2003 2:02PM
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*cowboy*
Posts: 8830 - Karma: 214
From my understanding, as long as it puts out (tehehe) 4 CFM's @ 90psi it will work. So, i think the size tank and HP are not important. Also, buy an oil lubricated one.


-Jason
Nov 2 2003 2:52PM
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shibby
Posts: 7088 - Karma: -19
how much are they?
Nov 2 2003 8:14PM
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*cowboy*
Posts: 8830 - Karma: 214
I bought my compressor for only 115 usd


-Jason
Nov 3 2003 6:54AM
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WIllW
Posts: 4578 - Karma: 2,512
Major components:
-cold temps obviously

-low humidity is key- if you have a temp near or just below 32 but high humidity you may not be able to make snow

-hangtime- snow must have time to crystalize and form a snow flake, the higher the ingredients are shot into the air, the more time to fall, the more snow

-wind, wind can help or hurt badly, it may spread your snow around for you or screw up the whole system entirely. pay attention to the wind.

if any of this is wrong i apoligize, but i think its sound advice
Nov 4 2003 8:19PM
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snowmaking2003
Posts: 219 - Karma: 10
Hi, its Daniel,

Yes, that info sound correct.




Nov 4 2003 8:22PM
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snowmaking2003
Posts: 219 - Karma: 10
Another good idea is to either buy a real big air hose like 1?2' or 5/8' or buy some pipe insulation and put is on your air hose.

The reason fo this is so that water will not condensate on the inside of your air hose then freeze. You don't want this to happen because the ice that builds up in you air hose can block the air hose up completely. Ending the snowmaking for the night.
Nov 4 2003 8:32PM
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snowmaking2003
Posts: 219 - Karma: 10
Sorry about last message were this 1?2' I ment 1/2' and for 5/8' I ment 5/8'

Hope you did not get confused.

Daniel
Nov 4 2003 8:35PM
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snowmaking2003
Posts: 219 - Karma: 10
Well I guess it was not my tping because for some reason I can not post the inches symble. So, here it is again use a 1/2 inch air hose or a 5/8 air hose to pevent freeze ups. 3/8 inch air hoses are fine but keep an eye on them.
Nov 4 2003 8:38PM
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KWagner
Posts: 1471 - Karma: 19
Hey Dan,

Thanks for all the info youve given to my brother(Jason) and I about the snow guns. Youve been awesome. About the air hose insulation, how much does it cost and is their any way that we could insulate our hose with duct tape or something like that?
Nov 5 2003 2:33PM
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snowmaking2003
Posts: 219 - Karma: 10
not sure but you should get it. I have a bag of it down stairs in the garge. I will go see if it has the price on it.

Daniel

PS. Good Luck with the tests this afternoon....
Nov 5 2003 2:51PM
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snowmaking2003
Posts: 219 - Karma: 10
No price on the bag...

But if you can duck tap the air hose and water hose lines together an that should help some but if you buy some insulation I don't think you will have a problem. Maybe raping some old towels around the air hose.........

Daniel
Nov 5 2003 2:55PM
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KWagner
Posts: 1471 - Karma: 19
I think we'll probable try that when it gets cold. Now im going to head outside and take some more videos of the gun in action... we'll try to send you the videos. Thanks again for all the help.
-KYLE-
Nov 5 2003 2:59PM
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snowmaking2003
Posts: 219 - Karma: 10
No Problem
Nov 5 2003 3:03PM
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