DISCLAIMER:
ADULT SUPERVISION REQUIRED
Intended for ages 14+
Your Aquapod launcher should provide years of safe entertainment. It is a precision-designed product and must not be altered or modified in any way. The Aquapod does accumulate the energy of compressed air and must be respected and operated responsibly. It never should be operated from a hand-held position or pointed at anyone. It must always be launched straight up in an area with no overhead obstructions.
The operator has the final responsibility for safety, and the manufacturer does not accept responsibility for the consequences of operation other than what is specifically outlined by the manufacturer. The manufacturer suggests the following guidelines for safe, entertaining launches with the AquaPod.
CARE AND MAINTENANCE
Maintain your launch equipment. Never leave your unit outdoors where ultraviolet radiation can deteriorate the rubber parts and freezing can crack or distort the rigid parts.
PRE-LAUNCH CHECKLIST
Before every use, inspect the Aquapod to be certain that it has not been damaged or deteriorated in any way.
Joints, Valve, O-Ring
- 1. No cracks or broken joints in the plastic components
- 2. No obstruction of the valve stem
- 3. No dry, cracked, stretched, or distorted “O” ring (It should remain pliable— applying a drop of oil or petroleum jelly periodically will keep the O-ring in good condition.)
Lanyard
- 4. No frayed or deteriorated lanyard (i.e., string)
- 5. Lanyard is not less than 15 feet long.
- 6. No loose knot securing the lanyard. It should be tight to avoid a launch failure.
Launch Vehicle (2-Litre Plastic Bottle) Never use a bottle smaller than 2 litres.
- 7. Launch vehicle is clean and clear for an effective inspection. (Launch vehicles should be cleaned of labels and paper that might conceal stress marks.)
- 8. Launch vehicle does not contain cracks and dents that might signal structural weakness.
- 9. Launch vehicle has not turned white. If this discoloration is present, most likely stresses are indicated; and it might burst under pressure. The launch vehicle then should be rejected and discarded.
LAUNCH PROCEDURES
The Aquapod never should be operated from a hand-held position or pointed at anyone. It must always be launched straight up in an area with no overhead obstructions.
1. SELECT A PROPER LAUNCH SITE
Always select a clear, open area free of trees and power lines. If the launch is conducted properly, the “rocket” is likely to soar to an altitude of up to 100 feet and may land 50 feet or more from the launcher. Therefore, a clear area of at least 50 feet in all directions from the launcher is the minimum safe distance.
- • Station yourself at a location where the launch can be observed by looking away from the sun.
- • Keep an eye on the bottle as it streaks skyward.
- • Do not look toward the sun as you do it.
2. FUEL THE LAUNCH VEHICLE (BOTTLE)
Use only fresh clean water as a propellant. The optimum launch pressure has been determined to be 60 psi. Exceeding this pressure will not improve performance and is not recommended.
For added safety, the Aquapod is equipped with an over-pressure relief valve designed to release pressure exceeding 60 psi (visible as slots in the front leg). The overpressure safety valve should not be used as a gauge to determine launch pressure. A pump with a built in gauge is recommended for this purpose.
- • Fill the bottle to be launched with water to about 1/3 its capacity.
- • Pick up the launcher and hold it upside down over the bottle.
- • Press the bottle over the launch tube, covering the O-ring until it won’t go any further.
- • Turn both the launcher and attached bottle over and set it down on the ground, making sure that the bottle is standing straight up in the center of the launch area.
3. PREPARE THE LANYARD
- • Lay the lanyard out to its full 15 feet.
- • Gently pull the lanyard to its full length in the direction of the long leg of the launcher tripod, and leave it on the ground.
4. LOAD THE COMPRESSED AIR
- • Connect the air pump to the launcher valve.
- • Determine the proper number of pumps for your system since air pumps vary in displacement and capacity. An average-sized tire pump normally can be pumped about 10 to 15 times, but we recommend starting with 10. If you judge it to be safe with more, give it a total of no more than 15 pumps. The system is now armed.
- • Gently lay the pump down, without disturbing the launcher, and retreat to the end of the lanyard.
- • From the lanyard distance, check the launcher to ensure the vehicle remains vertical and free of obvious rupture.
5. PREPARE FOR LAUNCH
- • All bystanders should be kept at least 15 feet from the launcher (“safety zone”).
- • The best location is behind the launch officer who is located at least 15 feet from the launcher (length of the lanyard).
- • If anyone ventures into the launch area, the launch must be halted until the safety zone is re-established.
6. LAUNCH
- • Call out the countdown. Launch duties can be divided, permitting one of the observers to join in the fun and perform the countdown.
- • At “5! 4! 3! 2! 1!…Launch!”, the Launch officer tugs the lanyard. A sharp, short, tug on the lanyard should is all that is necessary.
- • Do not yank the lanyard, as this might cause the launcher to upset, and launch the vehicle in an unsafe direction!
LAUNCH FAILURE—If bottle fails to launch perform the following:
- • Hold the latch open with the pull string for 30 seconds.
- • If bottle still fails to launch, release the launch cord and allow latch to re-engage bottle lip.
- • Tip the Aquapod and secured bottle away from your face and body.
- • Using a small screwdriver or similar implement, carefully depressurize system by pushing in on the valve stem pin with the edge a small screwdriver as you would to let air out of a bicycle or car tire.
- • After depressurizing, remove bottle and inspect. Bottle should fit snugly on launch tube but not extremely tight.
- • Go back to Step 2, Fuel the Launch Vehicle (Bottle).
Be careful and enjoy your Aquapod Water Rocket Launcher System!
