Will the Estes Pro Series II Launch Controller (https://estesrockets.com/product/002240-pro-series-ii-launch-controller/) light a single G80?
Thanks for help
Thanks for help
CTI doesn’t use igniters in most of its small motors. It uses electric matches which are a low current device. Electric matches are not a good choice for APCP motors; they have very little pyrogen, whereas a true igniter is liberally coated with pyrogens. CTI is able to do that because they add a small compressed black powder pellet at the upper end of the top grain. So, the battery lights the electric match, the electric match lights the BP pellet, and the BP pellet lights the motor, very quickly.CTI ignites are low current and easy to fire.
Which G80 does the OP have?? Thrust curve lists 6 different G80 motors from 6 different makers, 3 of which is OOP.
I had assumed he has the Aerotech one but this could be wrong.
Not at that voltage. But at much higher voltages it is possible to fuse the bridge wire internally before it gets sufficient time to transfer the energy to the pyrogen and get the chemical fire going. A good example of that is if you hold a match up to a flame. It does not ignite instantaneously but takes a fraction of a second while the flane transfers enough energy to get the chemical process going.I have a wired adapter for my 20 volt DeWalt drill battery. I did a "non launch" test - the igniter burned extremely fast. Haven't tried it with a motor.
Can a "too fast burning igniter" be a problem?
Yes. The Sonic Igniters mentioned by @Tractionengines a few posts up burn too fast on a club 12V system to light White Lighting motors reliably....but they do so just fine on the PSII controller (for which they were designed). But that's kind of a niche case....I have a wired adapter for my 20 volt DeWalt drill battery. I did a "non launch" test - the igniter burned extremely fast. Haven't tried it with a motor.
Can a "too fast burning igniter" be a problem?
For White Lightning composition, I'd only use a first fire igniter. Even then only on a new motor. The Aerotech G64 reloads that were available in Australia, were I believe imported about 10 years ago. This makes lighting them trickier even with a first fire. So again this comes back to knowing your power source, cable resistance, igniter, composition being used for the motor and age of the composition.Yes. The Sonic Igniters mentioned by @Tractionengines a few posts up burn too fast on a club 12V system to light White Lighting motors reliably....but they do so just fine on the PSII controller (for which they were designed). But that's kind of a niche case....
They seem to do fine on Blue Thunder motors even on 12V. But again, especially since those igniters aren't available widely anymore, it's a niche case.
Thanks for asking. That’s a slight misinterpretation of the new safety code. Range personnel, such as the LCO, are allowed to be as close as 30 feet if necessary (12.3). Spectators are required to be at 50 feet 12.4).For White Lightning composition, I'd only use a first fire igniter. Even then only on a new motor. The Aerotech G64 reloads that were available in Australia, were I believe imported about 10 years ago. This makes lighting them trickier even with a first fire. So again this comes back to knowing your power source, cable resistance, igniter, composition being used for the motor and age of the composition.
Will a 9v battery work has no simple answer. For example if I put it to my skin, nothing happens(usually) , If I put it on my tongue, it tingles. Different resistances, different sensitivities. 9V batteries can have very different internal resistances depending on construction and cell chemistry. The manufacturer doesn't have any obligation to tell you when this changes and this has caused issues with some flight computers. And as I have mentioned, Tripoli has increased the safe distance for E,F,G motors to 50ft. The ESTES hand launchers firing systems only have 30ft of wire. It doesn't say what the wire gauge is, so will they work with extra wire added to take you to the new safe distance, has not been addressed by the manufacturer yet.
@Steve Shannon is this worth looking at?
On rereading the new code, I can see that is the case. Without your explanation though, I don't feel it's entirely clear that the LCO can launch from half the new distance. Doesn't that put them closer in some cases than they were before?Thanks for asking. That’s a slight misinterpretation of the new safety code. Range personnel, such as the LCO, are allowed to be as close as 30 feet if necessary (12.3). Spectators are required to be at 50 feet 12.4).
If they were to go to half the safe distance that would put them at 25 feet. That allowance, to be as close as half the safe distance, was also provided by NFPA 1127. We’ve tried to be slightly more conservative than that by stating 30 feet in 12.3.On rereading the new code, I can see that is the case. Without your explanation though, I don't feel it's entirely clear that the LCO can launch from half the new distance. Doesn't that put them closer in some cases than they were before?
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I'll PM you shortly.If they were to go to half the safe distance that would put them at 25 feet. That allowance, to be as close as half the safe distance, was also provided by NFPA 1127. We’ve tried to be slightly more conservative than that by stating 30 feet in 12.3.
Sounds good. Just so you know, I’m heading to bed pretty soon and your questions are pretty interesting sometimes. I might have to think about it before I answer.I'll PM you shortly.
You're up for election. No time to sleep. You've got voters to win over.....Sounds good. Just so you know, I’m heading to bed pretty soon and your questions are pretty interesting sometimes. I might have to think about it before I answer.
Ha! I think after years and years on this forum and on Rocketry Planet before, people have a pretty good idea of who I am, warts and all.You're up for election. No time to sleep. You've got voters to win over.....
They don't say what the wire size is, but I think it's at least 18 gauge (US wire sizes). It may be 16. My main fly-by-myself controller is one of those PSII controllers with a small (1250 mAh) 3s LiPoly inside. It would certainly fire a CTI e-match with 20 feet of wire added. I'd have to test, probably, to see if a Firstfire Jr. fired with sufficient energy. But I seldom fly anything bigger than E (with the occasional Estes black powder F) when I'm not at a club function, so chances of me actually doing this test are not great.The ESTES hand launchers firing systems only have 30ft of wire. It doesn't say what the wire gauge is, so will they work with extra wire added to take you to the new safe distance, has not been addressed by the manufacturer yet.
Look at the post from BEC right above your postHello experts, can anyone please tell me if this estes pro ii 9v controller will ignite 4-1/4" copperhead igniters from 2 pack single use Aerotech F23-4FJ motor ?
Also I heard it excepts lipo battery is that true? if yes what is the best lipo battery to have for that controller ?
Thanks guys
What about without Lipo battery? will it fire copperhead with a regular C cells 9v installed, is sufficient to fire off the motor ? as I understood you only use this controller with a 3s lipo ? What kind?Look at my post just above. I have fired Copperheads with this controller.
The trick is finding a 3s LiPoly that will fit inside and which also has one of those orange JST connectors on the discharge lead. More likely you'll need to get (or make) an adapter).
Someting like this battery: https://hobbyking.com/en_us/turnigy...html?queryID=74fdbd86ac60208b9e176deb8fd0a7a3 plus this adapter: https://hobbyking.com/en_us/xt60-fe...4507307f05728a6ebbbcedb3553fd6&objectID=84524 might work. The question is whether or not it would fit inside the controller between the springs for the C cells without too much squeezing.
Bec thanks for pointing me in the right direction. This battery you showed how would I charge it, is there a special charger also, and what is the white wire for on the battery is that charging port ? Also 1250mah vs 1600 is just more juice in there not power right? so smaller 1250 would fit better inside battery compartment, or are they the same size? Is there even a point upgrading this to a lipo ?Look at my post just above. I have fired Copperheads with this controller.
The trick is finding a 3s LiPoly that will fit inside and which also has one of those orange JST connectors on the discharge lead. More likely you'll need to get (or make) an adapter).
Someting like this battery: https://hobbyking.com/en_us/turnigy...html?queryID=74fdbd86ac60208b9e176deb8fd0a7a3 plus this adapter: https://hobbyking.com/en_us/xt60-fe...4507307f05728a6ebbbcedb3553fd6&objectID=84524 might work. The question is whether or not it would fit inside the controller between the springs for the C cells without too much squeezing.
This company might still have some available.If you can find some of these they will work. They are OOP from Estes.
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The PSII Launch Controller has a JST connector for a Battery Pack, in place of the 'C' batteries. Use a higher voltage/current battery pack and the standard Aerotech Starter will be fine. (ie a 3S Lipo, if you have Lipo experience and charging equipment)
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