Typically I would go straight to the source for this question, but with Jim in limbo with the flooding in CO I thought I would post my problem here and hear your thoughts on this.
Last week my RRC2-mini in my Vindicator Jr simultaneously ignited the main and drogue charges while sitting on the pad. I switched on the altimeter (twist and tape), it went through the start-up sequence, and then started beeping normal continuity for the main and drogue charges (3 quick beeps). After about 15 seconds of beeping the beeps stopped and then 5-10 seconds later the charges blew. There were no beeps from the altimeter after it blew the charges.
Looking a little embarrassed, I collected my rocket parts, returned to my table and took the AV bay apart looking for a short or something. I didn't see anything so I powered up the RRC2 without charges connected and it appeared to power up normally and I let it beep for about a minute - no problems. So, I tried again - figured it must have been a transient short. I got the rocket back out on the pad, turned on the altimeter and it did it again. Exact same sequence of events.
This rocket has launched at least 12-15 times with this altimeter prior to this event. Wind was minimal that day 2-5mph max. The battery was a new Duracell 9V. It still reads 9.15V on my meter.
At home I've connected wires to the main and drogue terminals to simulate an e-match being connected and the altimeter just behaves normally. I can't get it to fail again - but I don't trust it now either. I haven't connected actual e-matches to it at home - maybe that's next.
Any thoughts???? :confused2:
Last week my RRC2-mini in my Vindicator Jr simultaneously ignited the main and drogue charges while sitting on the pad. I switched on the altimeter (twist and tape), it went through the start-up sequence, and then started beeping normal continuity for the main and drogue charges (3 quick beeps). After about 15 seconds of beeping the beeps stopped and then 5-10 seconds later the charges blew. There were no beeps from the altimeter after it blew the charges.
Looking a little embarrassed, I collected my rocket parts, returned to my table and took the AV bay apart looking for a short or something. I didn't see anything so I powered up the RRC2 without charges connected and it appeared to power up normally and I let it beep for about a minute - no problems. So, I tried again - figured it must have been a transient short. I got the rocket back out on the pad, turned on the altimeter and it did it again. Exact same sequence of events.
This rocket has launched at least 12-15 times with this altimeter prior to this event. Wind was minimal that day 2-5mph max. The battery was a new Duracell 9V. It still reads 9.15V on my meter.
At home I've connected wires to the main and drogue terminals to simulate an e-match being connected and the altimeter just behaves normally. I can't get it to fail again - but I don't trust it now either. I haven't connected actual e-matches to it at home - maybe that's next.
Any thoughts???? :confused2: