Super Soaker Tech

How to Take Statistics

When you have a soaker, it is a good idea to take statistics on it, so you will know how powerful it is, how far it can shoot, etc., as I have done on my soakers (e.g. Flash Flood).
Note: All measurements should be taken in metric, or converted to metric, in order to maintain a scientific standard (I usually put the standard measurements in perenthases).

Dimensions:
This is length, width, height, you know the drill.
1. Measure the length, width, height (duh)

Reservoir volume:
How much water your soaker holds in its reservoir.
1. I usually just take the word of the manufacturer on this one (they can't exaggerate it), but if you want to you can fill up your reservoir...
2. Pour it into a measuring cup

PC Volume:
This is how much your firing chamber, or PC, holds. On pressurized reservoir soakers, there is no PC so you can skip this one.
Method 1:
1. Pump up your soaker
2. Fire all the contents into a water bottle or similar container
3. Measure the water in a measuring cup

Method 2:
1. Pour in a measured amount of water into the reservoir (at least enough to pump up the firing chamber)
2. Pump up your soaker
3. Pour out and measure all the water left in the reservoir
4. Subtract that amount from the amount you poured into the reservoir

Pump Volume:
This is how much water you move from the reservoir to the PC in one pump. On pressurized reservoir soakers, there is no PC so you can skip this one.
1. Pour in a measured amount of water into your reservoir (100 ml. will do)
2. Pump your soaker once
3. Pour contents into a measuring cup
4. Subtract that amount from how much water you put in the reservoir

Pumps to fill:
This is how many pumps it takes to fully pressurize your soaker.
Method 1:
1. Pump up your soaker, while counting how many pumps you take

Method 2:
1. Divide PC volume by pump volume

Shots per tank:
How many shots you can fire in one fill.
Method one:
1. Count how many full shots you can fire on one fill

Method 2:
1. Divide reservoir volume by PC volume

Range:
This is how far your soaker shoots. This is usually taken while pointing the soaker level, and then at 45 degrees upwards.
1. Set up markers every 10 feet
2. Shoot your soaker at chosen angle
3. Find the middle of the puddle and use your markers and a measuring tape to find the distance it shot.

Shot time:
How long your soaker can shoot without pumping.
1. Pump up your soaker
2. Get a stopwatch
3. Shoot your soaker (while timing yourself) until the stream drops off significantly or stops shooting

Ouput:
This is how much water your soaker shoots, per second. Many people consider this to be the most important statistic (although many say range is) and in my opinion, it is the hardest to measure.

1. Pump up your soaker
2. Get a stop watch
3. Start the stopwatch while simultaneously firing your soaker into a water bottle, for exactly one second
4. Measure the amount in the bottle