... altimeter redundancy? Thoughts? Ideas,recommendations ? I was thinking of one with a lot of features and one basic solid performer as the backup.
I had the same thought, and utilized an Adept22 and a Raven3 for my first DD flights. Had them set up on single sled , each with its own battery and switch. Since then have sold the Adept22 and replaced with the RRC3 , mainly because I want to see a speed report on my flights . Both alts are well supported and documented by the mfg and in this forum . If a smaller rocket will use only one .
Don't get too hung up on the sled and configuration - if you do a ground deployment test and it works ... it will probably work in the rocket . If you find a better way of rigging you can change your sled config in the future.
I delayed and overthought my first DD flight , rocksim put it close to 1300 ft and thrustcurve at 1100 ft.. set Adept22 to apogee/900ft and backup (more flexible/options) raven3 to apogee + 1.5 sec.s/704 ft -- rocket only went 727 ft . Chute barely opened before it hit the ground . Redundancy did work -two apogee and one main showed burned upon inspection . I SHOULD have trusted my configuration and was way too conservative on the motor .
The other thing that really helps NOW is to prep the night before, EVERYTHING but hooking the charges up and the igniter . Still need to unfurl the laundry & tethers onsite and recheck all attachements/quick links to make sure they are hooked up (have seen one not attached or not closed more than once). But this is much easier when I have already layed them out the night before for a quick inspection (they do get charred ) , same with chutes, then assemble like I am flying (including attaching) . If I am missing a quicklink, a plastic rivet, if the quicklink does not fit in the swivel, or if the av bay terminals are cooked - can work out a solution without distraction. In the field I can work it out too, but then forget to do something (cause I think I already did it) like hook and close nose cone quicklink . In the field just remove the shear pins and unfurl the laundry ...then quickly reroll and reassembly rechecking the quicklinks-easy peasy everything there including wadding/nomex from night before.
Avbay am trying to employ the same strategy, open up and replace batts - hear the alts beep ready . Then seal it up with the terminal blocks connected and switches (or switch wires) OFF. I use a cheapie Harbor Freight meter to test batt voltage and continuity of the e-matches , and make sure it and any tools needed for the bay including very small flat blade for raven terminals is in my av bay box . I use a AT charge container (medical centifuge) to measure my charges and make sure one or two are in my box also. After the rest of the rocket is ready - In the field I make up some deployment charges, unfasten the plastic rivets and attach the charges to the upper terminal blocks and reattach the payload to the bay. Then I hook up the other set of charges on the bottom. Now everything is ready except installing the igniter .. I arm one alt switch and listen for the beeps then off and same with the other . Take rocket, flight card and igniter to RSO and FLY !
You will shape and modify your own strategy, try to get a few DD flights in to settle on your routine/checklist.
Kenny