Magnetic switch installation

[The Astronaut Farmer]

I am pretty sure I have been sold on the magnetic switch's located here:

https://shop.featherweightaltimeters.com/product.sc?productId=33&categoryId=2

I want to make sure I get everything I need in one go. Does it come with screws/nuts/standoffs/a magnet?

Also, I have a soldering iron so I figured I might as well solder the wires to the screws instead of just screwing them on. If that is the case, do I screw down the wires between the head of the screw and the switch, and then solder on top of that while being careful not to bridge any connections?

My current plan is to have from bottom to top: nut, sled, standoff, switch, solder, screw head. Does this seem alright? I searched and searched for some good pictures of the actual installation of the magnetic switch, these were the best I've got:





I closed out of the thread already so sorry to whoever I didn't credit.

Is there any fear of the magnet interfering with the altimeter?

Those are all my questions for now. Thanks!

 

[BLKKROW]

I am pretty sure I have been sold on the magnetic switch's located here:

https://shop.featherweightaltimeters.com/product.sc?productId=33&categoryId=2

I want to make sure I get everything I need in one go. Does it come with screws/nuts/standoffs/a magnet?

Also, I have a soldering iron so I figured I might as well solder the wires to the screws instead of just screwing them on. If that is the case, do I screw down the wires between the head of the screw and the switch, and then solder on top of that while being careful not to bridge any connections?

My current plan is to have from bottom to top: nut, sled, standoff, switch, solder, screw head. Does this seem alright? I searched and searched for some good pictures of the actual installation of the magnetic switch, these were the best I've got:

View attachment 116922

View attachment 116923

I closed out of the thread already so sorry to whoever I didn't credit.

Is there any fear of the magnet interfering with the altimeter?

Those are all my questions for now. Thanks!

Those are my pictures, thanks for the compliment

The switch comes with a magnet and the switch itself, that is all. One side of the switch is completely flat hence why I have one side sandwiched on the AV-Sled, if you where looking to solder you can definitely do that. I chose against that to keep the connections more mechanical in the past I have seen some of my solders break loose. But that is probably just because I am terrible at soldering.

You can use stand offs, I do not see a reason to use them unless your sled is Carbon Fiber. I do like your idea to sandwich the connection of the wire between the head of the screw, then put down a layer of solder to keep it in place. I plan on doing the same thing but instead with a hot glue gun.

If you want I can provide more detailed pictures, but I would have to wait until Thursday/Friday those are my days off work, and in between classes so I can snap some photos. Or if you have any questions you can PM me.

One thing to add when you check out, you can select if you want a large or small magnet or none. I forgot to add that.

 

[Coop]

Are you using the switch with a Raven? If so --and if your sled has the room-- you may wish to consider the Power Perch--comes with the magnetic switch, battery holder and connector, and is something like $10 more.


Later!

--Coop

 

[The Astronaut Farmer]

The switch comes with a magnet and the switch itself, that is all.

Okay thanks. Sometimes it gets annoying ordering things with the school, good to know what comes with it.

You can use stand offs, I do not see a reason to use them unless your sled is Carbon Fiber. I do like your idea to sandwich the connection of the wire between the head of the screw, then put down a layer of solder to keep it in place. I plan on doing the same thing but instead with a hot glue gun.

I guess I have no reason to use standoffs so why use them? They are being attached to a polycarbonate sheet, which if my research is correct is nonconductive. In the picture it looks like you have multiple nuts, any reason for that? Could you take a side view picture for me? I was actually planning on soldering it and then adding a layer of hot glue, but I think perhaps I'm being a bit too paranoid!

One thing to add when you check out, you can select if you want a large or small magnet or none. I forgot to add that.

I suppose I'll probably get a large one, although the magnetic switch will be very close to the side of the rocket.

Are you using the switch with a Raven? If so --and if your sled has the room-- you may wish to consider the Power Perch--comes with the magnetic switch, battery holder and connector, and is something like $10 more.

I am using it with the RDAS altimeter. There is plenty of room in the bay, the battery and altimeter is actually already mounted, and there is plenty of room for more components.

 

[BLKKROW]

I have multiple nuts, one is the bottom to keep the switch in place with no wiring.

Then I wrap the wire around the thread, with another nut. Except for the positive our output terminal of the switch since all e-matches have to be wired to that. I added a third nut to place all the ends of the charges to it, without interferring the switch providing power to the altimeter. I hope that makes sense.

I can certainly get a picture of the side view.

 

[Adrian A]

I suppose I'll probably get a large one, although the magnetic switch will be very close to the side of the rocket.

I think you'll find the small magnet easier to deal with as long as you don't really need that extra inch of range. The large magnet is strong enough to be pretty annoying at times.

 

[The Astronaut Farmer]

I think you'll find the small magnet easier to deal with as long as you don't really need that extra inch of range. The large magnet is strong enough to be pretty annoying at times.

Thanks for the recommendation. Does the magnet come with it? I am purchasing two of them, so if it does I will probably get one of each and just use whichever works better.

Also, have there been any reports of the magnet messing with the altimeter at all, or is that a non-issue?

 

[Coop]

I've used the magnetic switch with the Adept-22 as well as the on-board magnetic switch with the Power Perch hooked up to a Raven--no problems to report either way.


Later!

--Coop

 

[Spooks]

Great info!!

Nice thread CA!!

 

[Adrian A]

Thanks for the recommendation. Does the magnet come with it? I am purchasing two of them, so if it does I will probably get one of each and just use whichever works better.

Also, have there been any reports of the magnet messing with the altimeter at all, or is that a non-issue?

The advertised price is with the small magnet. When you go to check out there are options, with price changes, to remove the magnet or select a larger magnet. Having a magnet near an altimeter is a non-issue. The magnet is only used when you're arming the rocket at the pad, anyway.

-Adrian

 

[The Astronaut Farmer]

The advertised price is with the small magnet. When you go to check out there are options, with price changes, to remove the magnet or select a larger magnet. Having a magnet near an altimeter is a non-issue. The magnet is only used when you're arming the rocket at the pad, anyway.

-Adrian

Thank you Adrian. I'll likely be purchasing them very soon, I appreciate the help. This is going to make my life so much easier, I don't even want to type out the process I would have had to have gone through to install keyswitches or something similar.

 

[BLKKROW]

Here are some pictures if you still need them?

 

[The Astronaut Farmer]

Here are some pictures if you still need them?

Thanks! Hopefully when I'm finished with mine I can put pictures up as well.