TTD & Xcelerator's launches

Anyone experienced both? Would you say they produce the same G-forces & acceleration? Up to the 2.3 second mark obviously! ;)

So TTD just maintains the same acceleration all the way to the end? When I rode Xcelerator, think it did that. But wouldn't it drop off approaching the end i.e. running out of potential energy?

The hydraulic system involves pumping fluid into a giant piston or more & compressing the nitrogen gas on the other side. Like a giant spring if you will. Valve is opened & gas pushes the pistion back squirting out the fluid to the motors. I'd say it would 'peter' approaching full output/extension. Or maybe just the first half is used for the launch & quite consistent that way. Still way more powerful & efficient than trying to use a big electric motor or more to launch the trains.

With an air, weight & flywheel launch, surely they would lose their 'steam' gradually over the launch? LIM & LSM feel the same as way more electrical energy is required to keep up the acceleration at high speeds.

Hope you guys & gals get my drift. This has been on my mind for some time now! :)

Ta.

No mechanical component is expected to run at 100% capacity. The hydraulic launches are no different. They do not use their full potential, so there is no "petering out" towards the end of the launch- due to mechanical or hydraulic reasons at least.

Xcelerator's launch pulls a higher acceleration than TTD's launch by (i think) about .3g or so.

It doesn't sound like you really understand how the hydraulic launch mechanism really works. You've got the drift of it, but I'd still suggest heading over to www.virtualmidway.com and reading Rideman's technical explaination.

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- John
Safety is everybody's responsibility.

Kevin, I have ridden both, and yes, TTD certainly is a stronger launch, but only because it lasts longer. It does, however, have a bit more UUMPH at the end, though. It really does seem as though an elephant is standing on you. Quite cool. The beauty thing about both is that neither launch peters out. They both last to the upturn of the track. Cool, cool stuff. :)
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Hair Metal? I think not. - Click it, or lose it. ;)

Ta Rob. Thought as much. Gotta ride TTD.

Mike, I was talking about Dave's explanation, only put into a few sentences! :)

Xcel rocks.......but TTD kicks it's ass all over the place and then some.

Enough said. ;-)

-Tina

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Feel The DragsterGasm....
www.intenserides.com

Xcel I thought was more powerful on the takeoff, but the sustained launch of Dragster is a lot more intense.

I do wonder at the seeming incredible difference in launch track lengths. TTD seems like its about 4 times as long as Xcel's for 60 more mph. At a regular scaling, I would figure only twice the size. I had two theories: either I'm messed in the head and they're closer than I realize, or the hydraulic launch hits a certain speed very fast (why Xcel's seems more powerful on the takeoff) but it takes it a lot longer to get beyond this speed. i.e. it hits 60mph no problem in a set amount of time, but to get from 60-80 takes a lot less track than 60-120. Can anyone explain?

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"As soon as you design something that's idiot-proof, the world will go and design a better idiot." ... Thank you EchoVictor!
--Brett

I was fortunate enough to ride both within a two week span. I'll agree that both launches feel very similar up to the 2 second mark, but I have to respectfully disagree with you, Nasai. One of the main things I felt on TTD's launch was the noticeable release before the up-turn in the track. I rode 10 laps on Xcel and never felt that release. She felt strong right into the transition.

Later,
EV
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Remember that if you're one in a million, that means that there are 5000 other people on Earth just like you.

I too rode both within a week of each other (well 8 days, close enuf ;) ) and noticed that Xcel kept the power the whole way into the transition to vertical. But, again, this seems to be an issue of the launch track length, as Xcel has maybe 10 or 15 feet between the end of the launch and the transition (which is also tighter), whereas TTD has a good 50 to 75 feet of "flat" track before the rise to vertical.

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"As soon as you design something that's idiot-proof, the world will go and design a better idiot." ... Thank you EchoVictor!
--Brett

Well, Eric, mark me a man who's only been unfortunate to have had ONE ride on TTD ;) My memory of it is limited at best, but that's what I recall. Still, a great feeling of power.
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Hair Metal? I think not. - Click it, or lose it. ;)

Dude, I wish I had more than my only lap on TTD!;) It was Xcelerator that I got my power-riding on.

I was lucky to hit Monte' as well before she closed down, and I would say the let-off at end-of-launch on TTD & Monte' felt more similar than TTD & Xcel.

Later,
EV
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Remember that if you're one in a million, that means that there are 5000 other people on Earth just like you.

I have not rode Xclerator but I have rode Hypersonic. Hypersonic's launch is stronger then either Dragster or Xclerator.

The thing is Hypersonic's launch feels like you are getting kicked in the chest by a mule. BOOM it's instant speed. Dragster just feels like an elephant is standing on your for 4 seconds. Pick your poison but I find Dragster's launch much more intense.

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UnfrigginbelievablyIncredible

I liken Hypersonic's launch to God using your head to play golf. "Fore!" *WHACK*

XCelerator and Dragster have very similar launches, in my opinion. Dragster gets up to a higher final speed, but takes a bit more time doing it. Both are incredible experiences.

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--Greg, aka Oat Boy
My page
"Mary Jane, don't you cry, you can give it a try, Again when the sequel comes out" -- Weird Al, Ode to a Superhero

When I rode Xcelerator last August, there was a significantly noticable "shove" forward at the end of the launch track, when the train stops accelerating.

I did not experience this any of the times I've ridden Dragster this year.

Sure there is, It's not noticeble at all at the front of Dragster, but at the back it is quite noticeble.

Seems as if it's the catch releasing to me.

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UnfrigginbelievablyIncredible

That's kinda funny because I've only ridden in the back 2 cars (including the back seat my very first ride)

..although, it could be the combination of not accelerating + ascending on Xcelerator that emphasizes the shove at the end of the launch. The wind on TTD could be plenty to hold you back in your seat.

LOL at the launch analogies. All this talk about air and hydraulics, and here I sit still in awe at the raw mechanical wonders of the weight drop shuttle....
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Arrowed!

In my opinion, TTD is no where near as intense as people make it out to be. I didn't feel nearly the power that people talk about. Sure, it was awesome being launched up that 420ft. tower and back down again, but I find Xcelerator more intense. Xcelerator pushed my head back forcefully in the seat. TTD didn't push my head into the seat as forcefully, and I attribute the longer launch track to the lack of forces.

What it comes down to is the subjectiveness of what people find intense. I didn't find TTD as intense as I thought it would be. Some people think it's very intense. I guess I'm just weird that way. ;)

Justin

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Don't put anyone on a pedestal, because then people will point and laugh at them.

I was always told that Xcelerators launch was going to be more intense then TTD's because it was reached at a much quicker time.

But after riding the two, I feel that TTD's was more painful in that it lasted a LOT longer and made your skin peel back and make your eyelids flap.

I'd perfer to ride Xcelerator anyday compared to TTD, but they are both great rides. Now Hypersonic on the other hand.....

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"I'm starting to doubt your comitment to Sparkle Motion"
I LOVED Brad's Signature.... when I first saw that sbemail, I thought of ol' Ron Toomer!"

i have been on both dragster and excelerator, and i like dragsters launch better but it's cool that xcelerater is a longer ride. i wish cedar point would have done more with dragster like it make it longer or something but i still like it a lot. now i just want them to open it again so i can ride a lot of times. is a video of both of them together out there so i can look at them side by side?

How many g's do you feel on TTD's launch?

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