So, I can't edit my posts anymore. Oh well, guess it's back to the old fashioned way. Is editing a supporter function only now?
Current state of the rocket! (Mammoth for scale)
I installed brass shear strips in the payload tube. No worn holes in cardboard for this rocket! After pealing out the sockets, I used basic BS 30min epoxy, covered them with masking tape, and used the nose shoulder to press them into the proper contour.
I've started making filler strips for the booster's factory fin slots. Turns out this old mailing tube I had is almost an exact match for Loc tubing thickness. They seat in nicely but a couple places had to be restrained for the wood glue to set.
Facebook kindly reminded me that a year ago yesterday, I made my first eby for Vertigo II (electronic Ventris). I've come a long way since stuffing a stratologger and a lipo into a PSII transition. Fitting that a year later I'm polishing up the ebay for my L2.
On the board front is an RRC3 (primary), Stratologger CF (backup), and T3 gps. All electronics have been flight tested and are functional. The tracker's wire is run lateral so it doesn't mesh with the 2 threaded rids running along the board. 3 stiff flip switches are used for activation and they are my new favorite thing (when I have room for them).
The batteries are butted up against the rod guides for bracing against thrust acceleration (the aft end of the sled is up in the pictures). A 9V for the RRC3, 2S 800mAh lipo for stratologger, and a 1S 950mAh for the T3 (the tracker will Not die!). They hav velcro on their backs, and when the bay is assembled, the batteries will be strapped in over top.
A note on keying, In order to reduce confusion when wiring, I've taken steps to make sure everything goes to the right place. Drogue side is wired directly to the aft terminal blocks. Red for primary Black for Backup (alliteration!). The fore cap is separate and uses JST connectors. Male pigtail on the Main (primary) altimeter (RRC3), female on the backup stratologger. Main charges cannot be wired to drogue outputs and vice versa. Prime and Backup for main physically cannot be mixed up. Drogue side will be wired up physically at a calmer place free from distractions.
Laundry day! 35' 5/8" tubular nylon harnesses from Loc. 18" drogue came stock, it should work. 60" ripstop stock main.....I need to investigate upsizing that since I'm landing on Colorado hardness. The rocket has gained some weight and still needs paint. No cracked fins desired. 18x18 nomex work fine to protect the innards, and the cord ends get my 'custom' ductape protectors.
Also, video!
Deployment testing!
Ground test went perfectly. 1.48 gr for drogue, 2.25 for main breaking all pins. I'll retest tomorrow to verify and be all set!
Last steps of build are aft fin fillets. That's the part I've been dreading.....