Well, that would actually work, except… this contraption doesn’t use any straight runs of PVC pipe, only fittings. There isn’t really a good place to cut out anything. However, another option might be to replace one of the 90 degree elbows used in this design with a 45 degree elbow.
Yep, you are spot on. The issue with the 3” spheres is getting the readings low enough so I just assumed that it should line up ok (I have to use 4 diffusing sheets to get the readings to the right level on the 3” + some calibrating).
Technically the readings are more like 50-60% lower on the 4” with an equal setup. But the extra surface area of the diffusing sheets could explain that. I just didn’t expect such a large change.
This is one of the options I am considering, testing showed that it should work. The issue with this option is that it will not stand up with only 2 bends and becomes either a U on the desk or a very award shape that does not balance.
The readings turn out close enough to calibrate though.
Ok, I think we just figured out the issue and the good news is it is semi-easily correctable.
The 4” only has an adapter that steps down to 2”, I need another adapter to step down to 1.5”. This adapter was the issue. After modifying it so it does not shroud the meter as much the readings are right in line with what I expected them to be at the start. I never would of guessed that little bit would make such a large difference.
So now to start building the 4” and hopefully finish those today and start shipping tomorrow.
After another marathon sphere building session with the whole family helping out we managed to get all the spheres built, calibrated and packed up. Tomorrow I will start the shipping process.