I'm upgrading my younger brother’s rocket kit that I got him last year for Xmas, and advancing him to do more custom rockets. He want to follow me a mechanical designer so I'm trying to improve his mechanical abillity, but I only visit once a year, so I try to get him things he can do him self or do with me wile Im there.
Any way, he does not have the ability to launch cluster rockets, and I could buy a launch controller for that for about $45, but then they usually connect to a 12v car battery, which makes it hard for a 12 year old to carry around. So I want to build one with him when I go visit for xmas. Here is my idea, and I might need and electrical designer or engineer to make sure I got the wiring up to par.
The top and Bottom box is made out of .062 alum, the corner tabs are made out of .036 alum. The corner seams will be welded, and the corner tabs will be spot welded in place. Finish Powdercoat. I have not Design in the hardware, plan on flush mount press hardware on the top BSOS-032-14 with 10-32 FHSHCS on the botton.
The current controller to launch one electrical Match, uses a removable safety key to arm the system, Momentary Push button to ignite the electrical Match at the rocket base, the Elec. Match takes about 2-3 sec over a 20foot wire to ignite once the Momentary Button is held down, the controller uses Four standards AA batteries.
Here is some Electrical Specs on Estes Igniter Match, Link to PDF Sheet I hoping that if 4X AA batteries can launch one igniter in 2-3 sec over a 20ft 20ga wires that 2X 9V 400mAH batteries over a 30ft - 35ft 20ga wires can ignite 3 matches at the same time over .5 to 1 sec. I thinking that I need to ignite the matches faster to make sure they all ignite before launch.
Have not finish the base design on the box, but I plan on using a standard toggle switch, same 12v one used on cars as safety key, which when activated will light LED one, then when holding Momentary switch will light LED 2, and ignite the Electrical Matches. I found some nice bright LED, Link to LED Spec Sheet. I have also found a dual case 9V battery holder. and dual banna plug, male and Female. I did find a flush mount momentary push button normally open which I think means not connected, .75dia, by 1" tall. trying to find spec sheet.
I try to put together a basic wire schematic, since I do not have the software at home, I just wrote down each component. I have two ideas here they are. First one follows KISS, Keep it simple stupid. And the other one lol
The next one is more of a back up safety system, since the key is not removable on my design, it contains a second Momentary Push button so it takes two hands to fire. The second Switch would be mounted on the side like a CB hand held, this would keep a disaster from happening when he leaves the toggle switch on and puts the controller upside down on the ground pushing the button wile he tries to hook up the next rocket and firing in his face.
I was also wondering if adding a capacitor would help with the launch, i.e., if the capacitor charges, it could provide a better power flow to ignite all matches quickly. It would also be nice for an LED to light when the capacitor is charged. This may be asking too much. lol
When it comes to electrical design, I don’t know anything, so don’t bash please. Also if you know of any good place to buy any of this that would help. I know how to solder to make connections but everything else I need help with. I want to try to keep it under $50 for everything but the box and the toggle switch.
Note: I have not built a rocket in about 11 years or launch one, other then last year when I got my little brother started. so every bit of information is helpfull.
Thanks for the HELP.
Any way, he does not have the ability to launch cluster rockets, and I could buy a launch controller for that for about $45, but then they usually connect to a 12v car battery, which makes it hard for a 12 year old to carry around. So I want to build one with him when I go visit for xmas. Here is my idea, and I might need and electrical designer or engineer to make sure I got the wiring up to par.
The top and Bottom box is made out of .062 alum, the corner tabs are made out of .036 alum. The corner seams will be welded, and the corner tabs will be spot welded in place. Finish Powdercoat. I have not Design in the hardware, plan on flush mount press hardware on the top BSOS-032-14 with 10-32 FHSHCS on the botton.
The current controller to launch one electrical Match, uses a removable safety key to arm the system, Momentary Push button to ignite the electrical Match at the rocket base, the Elec. Match takes about 2-3 sec over a 20foot wire to ignite once the Momentary Button is held down, the controller uses Four standards AA batteries.
Here is some Electrical Specs on Estes Igniter Match, Link to PDF Sheet I hoping that if 4X AA batteries can launch one igniter in 2-3 sec over a 20ft 20ga wires that 2X 9V 400mAH batteries over a 30ft - 35ft 20ga wires can ignite 3 matches at the same time over .5 to 1 sec. I thinking that I need to ignite the matches faster to make sure they all ignite before launch.
Have not finish the base design on the box, but I plan on using a standard toggle switch, same 12v one used on cars as safety key, which when activated will light LED one, then when holding Momentary switch will light LED 2, and ignite the Electrical Matches. I found some nice bright LED, Link to LED Spec Sheet. I have also found a dual case 9V battery holder. and dual banna plug, male and Female. I did find a flush mount momentary push button normally open which I think means not connected, .75dia, by 1" tall. trying to find spec sheet.
I try to put together a basic wire schematic, since I do not have the software at home, I just wrote down each component. I have two ideas here they are. First one follows KISS, Keep it simple stupid. And the other one lol
The next one is more of a back up safety system, since the key is not removable on my design, it contains a second Momentary Push button so it takes two hands to fire. The second Switch would be mounted on the side like a CB hand held, this would keep a disaster from happening when he leaves the toggle switch on and puts the controller upside down on the ground pushing the button wile he tries to hook up the next rocket and firing in his face.
I was also wondering if adding a capacitor would help with the launch, i.e., if the capacitor charges, it could provide a better power flow to ignite all matches quickly. It would also be nice for an LED to light when the capacitor is charged. This may be asking too much. lol
When it comes to electrical design, I don’t know anything, so don’t bash please. Also if you know of any good place to buy any of this that would help. I know how to solder to make connections but everything else I need help with. I want to try to keep it under $50 for everything but the box and the toggle switch.
Note: I have not built a rocket in about 11 years or launch one, other then last year when I got my little brother started. so every bit of information is helpfull.
Thanks for the HELP.