Hello,
I've got a question.
I am pretty new in model rocketry and I want to build my first 2 cluster rocket. (2x C6-5)
But there's a problem
I dont know if my estes E-launch control will be powerful enough to properly ignite both engines.
I hope maybe one of you guys know if it's possible.
My advice-- use fresh batteries...
The "E" controller is just basically a *slightly* better version of the regular Estes controller... mainly just longer wires (and slightly larger IIRC) than the standard controller, to give a longer standoff distance required for the larger motors. A regular Estes controller will ignite a two-motor cluster, IF the batteries are fresh... "AA" batteries don't have much "oomf" on a good day, though... But it SHOULD work.
If you want to do cluster rockets regularly, and anything with more than two motors, you'd be FAR better off with a 12 volt launch controller that uses better batteries. I got tired of the wimpy "AA" batteries in my old Estes Solar Controller and the weird "Pola-Pulse" flat batteries in my "Power Pulse" Estes controllers, and rewired them decades ago for 12 volt external battery use-- either just jumper directly to the car battery, a lawnmower or motorcycle battery, or nowdays, a car jumper battery pack, which has enough power to launch the entire club's rockets all day and STILL boost off a Suburban with a dead battery after the launch! (plus, it does double duty riding in the trunk the rest of the time, in case you have a dead or low car battery at any time). I even eliminated the stupid dinky flashlight bulbs Estes uses for continuity by installing LED indicators (LED and resistor built together in a small housing) so that I don't have to worry about whether I have a good connection to the ignitors or a bad/loose bulb (and a second one indicates when I have a good connection with the power jumper pack or car battery).
12 volts will ignite pretty much anything you want to launch. One other helpful tidbit-- for the highest reliability in cluster launches, Quest Q2G2 ignitors are unmatched... they have a ridiculously low firing current, though, so even "AA" battery controllers can ignite them easily-- so easily, in fact, that when using an Estes controller with a light bulb continuity indicator, DO NOT do a continuity test-- the rocket will launch when you insert the key usually. To launch Q2G2's with an unmodified Estes controller, hold the button down while you do the countdown, and then insert (and push down and hold it) the safety key at "zero"... the rocket will ignite instantly...
Later and good luck! OL JR