Sign Task

[JTMess]

We used a latex balloon, and the night before regionals it could lift much more than it did during the competition. Due to the balloon deflating from time and temperature changes (loading and unloading it in 20 degree temperatures) it was much less buoyant than the day before.

[DeltaHat]

Always top up your balloon during your 30 minute setup. Bring a portable helium tank if you can.

[questionguy]

Always top up your balloon during your 30 minute setup. Bring a portable helium tank if you can.

Are you allowed a helium tank to a school? (That is where my competition is going to be held)

[Primate]

Always top up your balloon during your 30 minute setup. Bring a portable helium tank if you can.

Are you allowed a helium tank to a school? (That is where my competition is going to be held)

I don't see why not. Helium is nontoxic, nonflammable, and you'd have to try pretty hard to get it to explode. I know people brought helium tanks to our high-school invitational.

If you want to be absolutely certain, though, have your coach check with the tournament director.

[NikitaB]

How many grams have people been getting so far?

Also, I think that it should be best to have as much weight as possible, even though you lose sandtimer points. But as long as for every gram that you add it does not take 5 or greater seconds for the balloon to rise, then this is the case.

Although, since the third tie breaker the sandtimer time, it might be best not to max out the weight. At nationals all respectable teams will have all of the task down perfect, so in this case, if you are certain that you will lift the most weight, then its fine, otherwise, maybe not.

[Primate]

How many grams have people been getting so far?

Also, I think that it should be best to have as much weight as possible, even though you lose sandtimer points. But as long as for every gram that you add it does not take 5 or greater seconds for the balloon to rise, then this is the case.

Although, since the third tie breaker the sandtimer time, it might be best not to max out the weight. At nationals all respectable teams will have all of the task down perfect, so in this case, if you are certain that you will lift the most weight, then its fine, otherwise, maybe not.

In my experience, you really don't want as much weight as possible. It'll slow down the balloon significantly, although you can try to optimize weight vs time. But there's friction inherent in every balloon-release system, and you want to ensure that your balloon has more than enough lift to overcome that friction.

If your balloon doesn't go up without help, say goodbye to 250 points.

[NikitaB]

I agree that putting too much weight is not good; but within reason, it seems to be better to have a heavier sign (up to the reasonable limit) rather than to have a lighter sign.

[penclspinner]

I agree that putting too much weight is not good; but within reason, it seems to be better to have a heavier sign (up to the reasonable limit) rather than to have a lighter sign.

Heard about one MP device (didn't witness it myself) that had a sign of about 10 grams and successfully completed the final task.

Think they had some angels to help provide extra lift.

[yousmellchinese123]

I agree that putting too much weight is not good; but within reason, it seems to be better to have a heavier sign (up to the reasonable limit) rather than to have a lighter sign.

Heard about one MP device (didn't witness it myself) that had a sign of about 10 grams and successfully completed the final task.

Think they had some angels to help provide extra lift.

At regionals?

[Uncle Fester]

Hey!! That's OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE! DQ! DQ! DQ!