Testing a Quark with Featherweight magnetic switch

TomSmith58 said:

I am attempting to test my Quark with the Featherweight magnetic switch. I read the manual and tested with only one jumper as per the instructions. I succeeded in testing the drogue side ok. The ematch fired as expected. However when I hook the battery up to test the main side the ematch fires the instant I attach the connector. When I hook the battery up the magnetic switch cycles to on. I am guessing that allows a power surge that fires the ematch. Is it the switch that is doing this ? I ordered some simple screw switches from MissileWorks because I suspect the switch is the culprit.

Thanks
Tom

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Worsaer said:

The Featherweight mag switch starts in the ON state when power is applied. When connecting the battery, you need to be prepared with a magnet to switch it off.

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djs said:

I'm curious as to why this is. Seems like it would cause more problems this way?

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Also consider that there is a safety downside to having the default state be off, namely that if someone has a brownout due to charges firing or a temporary battery power disconnection in flight (not all that uncommon), having the switch turn on when power is re-applied could prevent a lawn dart. For ground safety, the best practice for this switch is to connect the battery and then turn the switch off before connecting charges. That way the altimeter need never be on with charges connected until you get to the pad. The switch can stay off for weeks while connected to the battery, so that provides a lot of flexibility in how and when the av-bay preparation is done.

-Adrian

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Cl(VII) said:

I had the exact same thing happen to me with a magnetic switch and a quark. Mine resulted in a scary/embarrassing moment at Airfest 2016 because I had my charges loads when I hooked up the battery...my sled left the prep table, and I nearly ruined my shorts. I assumed I had messed something up in the quark assembly, so it has been in my altimeter box since.

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Adrian A said:

So without a magnetic switch, if you have charges connected to a Quark and then plug in a battery, does the charge go off?

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