Balloon drop release - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: antenna
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2025, 02:16:44 am
content: We did the mechanical version, pull the rope, pins release net, but this year we want to use a push button system. I did a test using mono fishing line tied to a resistor and giving the resistor too much power melts the fishing line releasing the weight, and we may go that route, but I wanted to check here to see what others have done. Thanks!

author: Analog Kid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2025, 02:35:52 am
content: Weather balloon? Birthday mylar balloon? hot air balloon? Around The World in 80 Days balloon?

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2025, 02:36:58 am
content: Quoteother "mechanical" method is 2 nets and a rope threaded through them to keep them joined, to release the ropes pulled and the net splits in the middle.Getting more technical a Kabuki drop,operated either by manual rope pull or a motor drive.Solenoids as the release pin is also an option,

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2025, 02:37:35 am
content: Something to cut the sky diver loose!Without putting too much thought into it, I'm pretty sure there are mechanical release mechanisms you can trigger with a solenoid.

author: Analog Kid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2025, 02:41:15 am
content: What kind of balloons are y'all discussing?I just loves it when everyone ASS-U-MES that everyone knows what they're referring to ...

author: Andy Chee
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2025, 04:11:19 am
content: Given the reference to "baloon drop" and "release net", I'm assuming they're regular party balloons filled with ordinary air:

author: Konkedout
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2025, 04:39:33 am
content: Quote from: Andy Chee on February 16, 2025, 04:11:19 amWhat if they are filled with bird shot?

author: Andy Chee
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2025, 04:59:57 am
content: Quote from: Konkedout on February 16, 2025, 04:39:33 amI did try searching for a bowling ball ceiling drop, but this was the best I could find:

author: antenna
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2025, 07:02:47 am
content: Indoor new years event.t Guests pop baloons and we do not want bird shot all over the place. They do fall fast enough on their own. We did the rope between the nets idea, but the rope got snagged. This year we used tarp with custom pins in the grommets to ensure release, but the tarps created a static electricity problem, even tried antistatic sprays. Due to the static charge issue (and no desire to metalize the balloon system), we want to go back to the net, but instead of rope, do something more reliable remotely. The balloons are regular latex or whatever party balloons and if we decide one day to make them drop faster, I will argon fill them.. Thanks

author: Terry Bites
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2025, 09:09:46 am
content: A question for Big Clive I think.I made a prop for our school theatre back in the day.I used a big cap and a 63A SCR to blow some fine copper wire (PTC).SCRs can hande very high currents way beyond their continuous rating.The cap was a PF correction type (8u/400V I think) from a SOX streetlight. Dont ask.....I charged it up with a bridge rectifier and a resistor who's value I forget.Make sure the red hot drip doesn't fall on the kids. They hate that.https://www.powerstream.com/wire-fusing-currents.htm

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2025, 10:59:18 am
content: If it's just a question of releasing one cord, rather than pulling the entire length. a loop on one end and hook on a model servo will work.There are even purpose made releases for tow lines used for model sailplanes. (https://www.espritmodel.com/towline-release-for-scale-and-sport-sailplanes.aspx)As for argon (aw 40), it's cheap, but CO2 (mw 44) is cheaper. Ignore Google AI, "Carbon dioxide (CO2) has a slightly faster diffusion rate than argon (Ar) because CO2 has a lower molecular weight"

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2025, 02:03:52 pm
content: QuoteDepending on the weight wax and resistors

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2025, 02:27:30 pm
content: You could probably do something with Nitinol shape memory wire, 'programmed' in hairpin shapes with eyes to attach to one net edge, then cold bent into hooks to hold the other net. Connect them all in series with crimped on thin copper magnet wire tails, and apply current to heat the Nitinol wires and straighten out the hooks.

author: antenna
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2025, 12:40:02 am
content: There will be a couple hundred balloons plus the weight of the net, and I would rather have several release mechanisms instead of one cord. I like the wax idea, but I am unsure if it will hold. The wax dripping may also cause a problem. This is being done in a casino and there are guests, slot machines and carpet below. We cannot have hot wax dripping or resistance wires capable of causing fires. I fear nitinol may not be strong enough, but I may purchase a sample to test it. I do like the idea of nitinol pulling a pin from a clasp like structure holding a string loop.

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2025, 01:12:41 am
content: Just another thought,how much rigging time have you got? stuff like the wax etc wiill take more time than a simple rope.Also as its a venue is there any flying bars above the area? if so 2 nets to 2 central bars,drop the bars a few foot and out come the balloons

author: antenna
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2025, 08:35:20 am
content: We have all year to prepare and I know rope is easy (as we did that this last time) but we really want electronic, no matter the effort required. I think I will look into the RC plane stuff, I may even have a servo from an old nitro RC plane to experiment with. However, it must be installed the night before and all taken down the next day. There are no bars, just the trusses for the roof, HVAC lighting etc, nothing that goes up and down. But now that you mention it, there is no reason we cannot install such a system. Another option to consider! Thanks!I was also thinking I could replace the resistor in my melting fishing line melter with nichrome wire, so if the person pressing the button holds it too long, there isn't a carbon resistor bursting into flame. I could even encase these nichrome cutters in tiny glass tubes so the hot wire cannot touch anything else (i have a lot of tiny test tubes 6mm*60mm or so). I could even do a mosfet on each one with a 40awg wire holding the gate up, and once it releases, it also tears that gate wire turning off the mosfet and turning off the heating element. I only need about 16 of these devices if dropping from the center of the net.