For a detailed review of the Nerf Super Soaker Thunderstorm, click Here.
Nerf Super Soaker Thunderstorm - Disassembled
Nerf Super Soaker Thunderstorm - Pressure Switch Trigger
Nerf Super Soaker Thunderstorm - Motorized Peristaltic Pump Firing System
Nerf Super Soaker Thunderstorm - Motorized Internals Demo
I will wait for research on voltage mod
ReplyDeletethe water clip can be take apart very easily
good for a backpack water suply
Simon,
ReplyDeleteWell, actually there is nothing much to the voltage mod, just install higher votage battery sources and the motor will spin faster, which would basically increase the flow rate of the peristaltic pump system, read how it works here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peristaltic_pump
I've tested it with up to 16.8V and although there is some power and range improvement, it wasn't very significant, i measured just a 5-10ft range increase and abit more force in the water jet.
I guess alot more voltage would need to be added to extract more range (if the motor can handle it and not burn out). :)
Sg nerf,
ReplyDeletethank you for the information
I was looking into this today and took apart my gun. I used a 9V battery b/c you can just touch the leads to the leads on the gun for power.
ReplyDeleteThe added voltage made the motor move faster, but the range did not change.
It seems that there are two cylinders that the motor rotates, and when they push on the tube, water fires out. More pushes per second (increased voltage) didn't seem to increase rang, so maybe more pressure is needed?
Andrew,
ReplyDeleteAs mentioned in my previous comments, it uses a peristaltic pump system:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peristaltic_pump
With this pump design, when the motor spins faster, the flow rate increases, but overall water pressure doesn't seem to increase as much. I've found that the motor needs to spin alot faster (i've tested up to 16.8V) just to get a correspondingly small improvement.
the latex tube between the pump and the nozzle expand to the pressure like a small cps so a 9v mod just increase the volume of water after the release of the trigger
ReplyDeletewhat is the highest voltage the gun can handle?
ReplyDeleteShamSlam,
ReplyDeleteAs mentioned my my previous comments, i've tested it with up to 16.8V (using 4 x fully charged TrustFire Li-Ion rechargeable batteries) and the motor still operated (though at a very high speed)... but the range performance increase was rather limited, just 5-10ft more.
I guess the blaster's peristaltic pump system isn't so suited to creating the higher pressures necessary for more range.
Would modding with a larger ID tube give a bit more distance and pressure you think?
ReplyDeletechad moore,
ReplyDeleteMaybe... a larger ID tubing would allow for more water volume, though the pressure would also depend on the speed and strength of the peristaltic pump system.
I guess you could test it out and see if it works. :)
Do you think thunder storm is good for a price of nearly $30.00? Would you rather choose thunderstorm, scatter blast or tornado strike?
ReplyDeletetornado strike epox-puttied to the thunderstorm attached via hose to a 1 gallon jug in a backpack.
DeleteZach,
ReplyDeleteWell, the Thunderstorm is the only model in the current Nerf Super Soaker range that can fire in automatic mode, so its worth getting for that unique feature.
I just picked one up for $11.96 at Walmart (They're on sale!) It's going to be for a custom mandolorian costume. I'm making it backpack fed and they backpack is going to be a simple camelback. It's really, really easy to do this and I love this gun already :D
ReplyDeletehow do i fix the clip holder a vid on how to take it apart would be nice the peace i need to look at is on the uther side
ReplyDeletehas anyone tried to upgrade it by using the voltage mod and say, adding a larger hose? not much range increase i would think but more volume and force maybe? and could someone tell me the dimensions of the motor?
ReplyDeleteSo I tore mine down as it got some sand in it. I ended up with an extra tiny spring. No its not from the trigger, clip holder, or top rail stop, but it is identical to the one in the top rail stop. Any ideas?
ReplyDeleteSteve,
DeleteI can't think of any other parts that would house such a spring... maybe its just an extra spring that happened to be left in the blaster during factory production (it happens sometimes).
If the blaster still works well without that tiny spring, then just keep it as a spare spring. :)
the tiny spring is from an orange clip on top of the gun for the rail mount lock.
Deletei just bought a fresh nerf thunderstorm and it did not work what do i do?
ReplyDeleteAnonymous,
DeleteExchange it at the store for a new working set.
Hi, higher motor speed does not result in higher flow, as the tubing has no time to get back into normal shape. From my experience the rpms on the latex tube are already very high for a peristaltic pump. Try a tubing with bigger ID from another (stiffer) material, e.g. Norprene if the pump can handle it. That is professional peristaltic pump material and might allow the tubing to get back to shape faster.
ReplyDeleteHi I bought the super soaker lighting storm and played with it in the pool and it stop working.I checked the internals and replaced the batteries but it still can't work any ideas?
ReplyDeleteaw,
DeleteMost likely some water managed to somehow get into the circuitry and damage it... guess you'll just have to buy a new one.
How about, after a voltmod, we drill the nozzle bigger? Anybody willing to experiment with that?
ReplyDeleteCan anyone help me to reroute the battery wires as I lost the inside battery compartment?
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! This actually helped me put my Thunderstorm back together years after I took it apart as a dumb boy. I realized a good amount in that I had forgotten two screws, but the overall chassis would hold the damned thing closed anyway, so I didn't need them. That is, for now at least.
ReplyDelete