I want some advice on making a hoverboard

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the design and feasibility of creating a hoverboard, exploring various engineering concepts and principles related to lift and propulsion. Participants share ideas, seek advice, and critique the proposed design, focusing on theoretical and practical aspects of hoverboard construction.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a detailed design for a hoverboard, including dimensions, materials, and specifications for fans and solar panels.
  • Another participant questions the engineering validity of the proposed numbers and suggests that the original poster may not have conducted proper engineering research.
  • The original poster acknowledges their youth and lack of engineering experience, expressing a desire for advice to improve their design.
  • Several participants recommend studying air cushion vehicles, Newton's laws, and Bernoulli's equation to better understand the principles of lift and propulsion.
  • There is a suggestion that Bernoulli's principle may not be applicable, with an emphasis on starting with Newton's laws instead.
  • One participant mentions that using simple fans and solar panels may not be sufficient for a functional hoverboard, implying the need for more advanced technology.
  • A later reply references a leafblower hoverboard as a more feasible option, indicating that the proposed design may not be practical.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility of the proposed hoverboard design, with some suggesting that the calculations and principles used may not be adequate. There is no consensus on the best approach or the validity of the initial design.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations in the original design's assumptions, particularly regarding the lift generated by the proposed fan specifications and the applicability of certain physical principles. Participants note the need for further exploration of relevant engineering concepts.

Hoverboardfan
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The hoverboard would be a long, sleek, light, metal board with two strong but small fans underneath for power and another one on the end for propulsion. I would be about 3 feet in length, 5 in. in width, and about 4 cm. in height. The metal board would be in the shape of a skateboard but a little longer and wider. It should probably weigh about 2.5 pounds without the fans on the board. The fans will be constructed out of a tough metal that is durable and wrapped in a case made of the same metal. There will be a grate over the top of the casing as to prevent accidents and each fan will be wired up to a solar panel on the top of the board for battery life. The wires will run through the board and be covered in a waterproof tape of some kind that is weather proof and tough. The solar panels will be coated in a sheet of plastic wrap sort of stuff as to not get dirty and the plastic wrap stuff will be weatherproof. The fans on the bottom will be blowing out 25 mph wind currents as to propel someone into the air. The fans on the bottom should weigh about 2.5 pounds each. The fan on the back will be the same as the others except it will have a speed dial that is detachable as to connect to the wrist in a watch kind of way. The dial will have up to fifty miles per hour and a power switch that slowly turns off the fans to bring it to a stop. The fan on the back will weigh about 3 pounds. The solar panels should weigh about 2 pounds each. The fans will be kind of flat and have cushions on the sides on the bottom as to not break when stopping. The fans on the bottom will propel upwards about 4 or 5 ft. The whole hoverboard will weigh about ten pounds. The sides will also have very light metal handles that you can hold onto for tight turns and low hanging things. The hoverboard will also have grip tape that is just black so that you can customize your board with different colors of grip tape.
 
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Really?
 
Yes, in fact I have been thinking of this for a while but I won't have enough money to make a hoverboard like this for several years.
 
Have you done any engineering rather than just pulling numbers out of the "air?"
 
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Actually, no. This may be because I am actually very young and I am just seeking advice on how to make a hoverboard. I just want some advice so I can fine tune the flaws in my design.
 
Things/topics for you to look up and do a little reading, just suggestions based on your current interest, not absolute requirements for success: air cushion vehicles and how they work, ground effect; Newton's laws and force diagrams.
 
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Hoverboardfan said:
Actually, no. This may be because I am actually very young and I am just seeking advice on how to make a hoverboard. I just want some advice so I can fine tune the flaws in my design.
Welcome to PF!

The place to start is here:
The fans on the bottom will be blowing out 25 mph wind currents as to propel someone into the air.
25 mph is a number you pulled out of the air. You can use Bernoulli's equation to calculate how much (velocity) pressure that generates, or alternately, how much speed you actually need to lift a human. We can walk you through that. Then we'll calculate how much power that will require.
 
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Yeah I've tried to read Bernoulli's equation. Let's just say somewhere along the lines it got a little bit confusing.
 
Try reading up on the principle underlying air cushion vehicles. Might be a little easier to grasp.
 
  • #10
http://news.distractify.com/alex-scola/hooverboard/

Be sure to wear a helmet and pads, not like that guy...
 
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  • #11
russ_watters said:
Welcome to PF!
25 mph is a number you pulled out of the air. You can use Bernoulli's equation to calculate how much (velocity) pressure that generates, or alternately, how much speed you actually need to lift a human. We can walk you through that. Then we'll calculate how much power that will require.

Bernoulli's principle is not really applicable here. I would start with Newton's Laws.
 
  • #12
ulianjay said:
Bernoulli's principle is not really applicable here.
Welcome to PF!
You can use Bernoulli's equation to calculate the velocity pressure generated by the fan and/or the static pressure generated underneath a hovercraft.
I would start with Newton's Laws.
Yes, you can also use momentum.
 
  • #13
maybe an air cushion vehicle would be more feasible...

The leafblower hoverboard berkeman linked is the closest thing to a futuristic-feeling hoverboard you can build. Simple fans and solar panels don't cut it.

If you want to use propellers, this is how big of a thing you need to be able to actually take off:
 

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