Pop Pop Engine V2

thingiverse

I'm sharing this 3D printable Pop Pop Boat engine design I created. This is Version 2 of my work. Pop Pop Boats operate using a steam-powered pulse jet concept. The engine holds water, then the boiler heats up, causing the water to flash into steam, which creates vacuum and draws in more water, repeating the process and generating forward motion. It's designed to be modular, allowing it to pair with any hull you desire. You'll need to do some custom work to get it to fit properly, though I don't have a specific hull design planned for it yet. My designs are still evolving, and I'll release more in the future. Do not attempt to print this engine in PLA - it won't function. The port tubes are made from 3/16" OD Copper-Nickel brake line tubing. Any tube with an outside diameter of 3/16" will work, including plastic tubes. I've only tested Copper-Nickel and brass thin-wall tubing, but the brake line is my preferred choice because it bends without kinking using no tools. You can purchase a large spool of 3/16" Copper-Nickel tubing online for a reasonable price. I bought 25 feet (a bit over 7.5 meters) for $15, which should be enough to make all the engines I ever plan to create. The bolt holes are sized for M3 hardware, but an equivalent SAE size will also work fine. Whatever fits will do just fine. My designs are printed in Makergeeks PETG, and this filament works great. A more heat-resistant filament like Nylon, PC, or HIPS would even be better. I haven't installed this engine into a boat yet, but I have run the engine in a test bowl for one continuous hour - that's a very demanding test for a Pop Pop engine. The engine lasted the full hour and remains functional aside from a small dimple on top where it deformed from the continuous heat.