Alt bays - how??

I am building an Estes Pheonix and modifying it for DD and 2 stage read about it here....

https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22336

I am going to get a LOC BT-80 tube coupler but what is the best way to make a sled, E-match holders, and the best way to mount this and hook it up to a DD rocket?? It can be no longer then 5" though from outer point to outer point of the eye hooks. I will post pics of the alt bay as I move along.

thanx, Ben

I'm a LOC dealer and I never heard of LOC BT80. Are there some wires crossed here?

David,

There's a LOC coupler that fits Estes BT 80 tubes, I've used them to make an ebay for an Estes Maxi Alpha 3. I'm sure that's what Ben is talking about...

bmhiii

Yeah the 2.6 inch coupler. There compatable with Estes and AT.

Originally posted by ben
I am building an Estes Pheonix and modifying it for DD and 2 stage read about it here....

https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22336

I am going to get a LOC BT-80 tube coupler but what is the best way to make a sled, E-match holders, and the best way to mount this and hook it up to a DD rocket?? It can be no longer then 5" though from outer point to outer point of the eye hooks. I will post pics of the alt bay as I move along.

thanx, Ben

Click to expand...

ben, it's spelled 'Phoenix', not 'Pheonix'.

sorry its the
'Estes Phoenix'*

This is how I do my altimeter bay:

Nike Smoke break-down:



Interior of altimeter bay and sled:



Capped altimeter bay:





There's 3000 words worth of pix. Clear enough?

The ejection charges simply pass through holes in the for and aft bulkplates.[

thank you. this helps alot I was wondering why/how you did the single bolt instead of 2 bolts on each side?? I also want to know how to do the 2 bolt system I am kinda leaning that way (sorry BHP ) I will ask Bruce Sexton at my next club launch (the only person I know who has a nice alt bay go Bruce !!!!) (sorry for the pun on anyone esle )

thanx, Ben

you could always just take his one thread design and add another thread. you can see how the sled sits on the one thread, so just double it, doesn't seem too hard huh?


good luck man.

yeah I kinda figured that out after studying the photos. I have the perfect opportunity to make one since me and my dad did another project and had some 1/4 3 ply left over WWWHHHHHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! I have part of an alt bay I will get to Home Depot and but some threaded rod and t-nuts .

thanx, Ben

I use single lengths of all-thread because I feel it is enough. I somehow started using 5/16" threaded rod so have continued to use it. That stuff is amazingly strong in tension. On a 4" airframe it is probably the strongest component in the whole rocket and is more than enough.

Two rods adds weight and (I'd think) make it a little more difficult to put the cap on.

I like to keep things as simple and easy to use as I can.

I have never looked at it that way I think 2 might add weight the thing I was looking at is it can turn and twist if not tight so it might throw of the timer/altimiter out of balance. I guess I will try it that way. BTW I will be building and alt bay for my 5" Phoeinx I am currently working one I will try and "coordinate" them so the sleds are the same and interchangable.

thanx, Ben

wow! I know I am REALLY pulling this thread out of the dirt! I wanted to ask how to best seal alts for DD?? I noticed BHP's is single deploy how would you sufficeintly (sp?) seal the other end? I was wondering if anyone used ruber bands doubled up and glued o the alt side as a seal? sounded kinda like an O-ring.

thanx, Ben

https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=27547

There is how I do an altimeter bay.

Edward

thanx ed. I am looking at maybe redoing my E-bay. I now have a fly cutter so it should be more exact. one question I have is, where can you get "eyenuts"?? I have never seen them.

thanx, Ben

I called about 5 local fastener stores before I found one that carried them.

Edward

k, I am googling for them and will see if anytone sells them

I want to get some #10-32 3/4" eyenuts

thanx, Ben

https://www.mcmaster.com/

that's where I got mine. Coincidentally, they also carry a wide selection of everything known to man.

enjoy

Originally posted by Nate
https://www.mcmaster.com/

that's where I got mine. Coincidentally, they also carry a wide selection of everything known to man.

enjoy

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lol true

here is a place,
https://www.kenforging.com/products.mgi?c1=Eye_Nuts&c2=Style_A&ml=3

anyone ever dealt with them

thanx, Ben

well, you're on the right track, but they're a wholesaler, so unless you need 10,000 of them, you're not gonna want to use that site....

Originally posted by Nate
well, you're on the right track, but they're a wholesaler, so unless you need 10,000 of them, you're not gonna want to use that site....

Click to expand...

i'll pass didn;t see that oh well

thanx, Ben