DIY Lo$ Copperhead clip

[Handeman]

I just tested my first home made clip for copperhead igniters. There's plenty of sites that explain how to make them so I won't get into that here.

Just wanted to attach a pic and say that it worked great! Much easier then the tape on each side trick.

Now I just need to try to remember to go back to the pad and retrieve it when I'm done!

 

[MarkII]

Ingenious!

Mark K.

 

[Pantherjon]

Now I just need to try to remember to go back to the pad and retrieve it when I'm done!

Ingenious! Yeah, that's what I have a problem doing too! At least with this solution it won't cost you 5 bucks if you do forget it.

 

[Chrisn]

why dont you just insulate 1 side of each of the crocodile clips?

 

[Handeman]

why dont you just insulate 1 side of each of the crocodile clips?

Because they aren't my clips, and when I go to the pad, I don't want to spend the time and tape and trouble messing with insulating them. I've been doing it that way for a number of years, a few layers of tape on each side, and this is just faster and easier, especially when you have a copperhead with only an inch sticking out of the motor.

 

[MarkII]

A Copperhead-specific clip, whether Aerotech's or a DIY version, also holds onto the igniter more securely and it provides a more solid electrical connection.

Mark K.

 

[Winston]

Both clever and cheap. Here's another way if you've got some heat shrink tubing. The clips will still work for regular model rocket igniters.

 

[ONAWHIM]

Handeman,

A fine example of Yankee Ingenuity!








Wait... you're from the south aren't you?

 

[Handeman]

Handeman,

A fine example of Yankee Ingenuity!








Wait... you're from the south aren't you?

Yes,







and No!






Living in Virginia for the last 23 years. Born and raised in Wisconsin. A year in California and two in Hawaii in between. Got the best of both worlds.

 

[Burner]

Or you can take a lighter and burn the non-pyrogen end so that the film between the strips melt...then ou can split the crapper head into two leads.

 

[MarkII]

Living in Virginia for the last 23 years. Born and raised in Wisconsin. A year in California and two in Hawaii in between. Got the best of both worlds.

I grew up in Michigan and have spent the last 25 years in the Adks. Best of both worlds, or...?

Mark K.

 

[MarkII]

Or you can take a lighter and burn the non-pyrogen end so that the film between the strips melt...then ou can split the crapper head into two leads.

Then you have to deal with two very thin and delicate copper foil leads. Why go to all that fuss? Just spent 10 minutes or less to make a Copperhead clip (or buy Aerotech's) and assure yourself of good electrical contact every time with no prep needed at all. Seems logical to me.

Mark K.

 

[Burner]

Then you have to deal with two very thin and delicate copper foil leads. Why go to all that fuss? Just spent 10 minutes or less to make a Copperhead clip (or buy Aerotech's) and assure yourself of good electrical contact every time with no prep needed at all. Seems logical to me.

Mark K.

Its less of a fuss. Better yet, use something besides crapper heads.

 

[shreadvector]

Both clever and cheap. Here's another way if you've got some heat shrink tubing. The clips will still work for regular model rocket igniters.

That works as long as you attach the clips properly - otherwise you have the live side of the clips on the same foil side and the insulated side of both clips on the other. Very embarassing....:blush:

The clothes pin method has been around for a long time. I find the standard Aerotech clip works fine and we usually have 3 spare clips for the club. I also find it's crazy fast to put a bit of masking tape on the opposite sides of the copperhead leads and use the standard flat jawed 34C micro clips.

I would NEVER use toothed "alligator" clips for rocketry since they are a nightmare to clean.

 

[Winston]

That works as long as you attach the clips properly - otherwise you have the live side of the clips on the same foil side and the insulated side of both clips on the other. Very embarassing....:blush:

Opposite sides of the clip are insulated to allow this simple rule for anyone who uses them: put both clips on in the same orientation.

 

[Handeman]

That works as long as you attach the clips properly - otherwise you have the live side of the clips on the same foil side and the insulated side of both clips on the other. Very embarassing....:blush:

The clothes pin method has been around for a long time. I find the standard Aerotech clip works fine and we usually have 3 spare clips for the club. I also find it's crazy fast to put a bit of masking tape on the opposite sides of the copperhead leads and use the standard flat jawed 34C micro clips.

I would NEVER use toothed "alligator" clips for rocketry since they are a nightmare to clean.

The problem is that most copperhead motors fly off the high power pads and at our launches, all the HPR pads have the alligator clips. Using the masking tape works, most of the time, if you use 4+ layers of masking tape. Also, the wires are heavier then what's on the LPR pads so they are stiffer and it's harder to use the tape and alligator clips without twisting the copperhead all up.

Using the clips, homemade or purchased, is just so much easier.