Carbon fiber sled

So I have an idea of making my AV sled from carbon fiber sheets I have access to. One concern is blocking signal from my teleGPS or telemetrum.

Thoughts?

Yes, RF blockage is an issue, but, there are other issues. Did it a decade ago. CF is conductive and so you have to be careful in how you wire everything otherwise you get electrical shorts. Given, it looks cool and, if looks are a priority for you, then go ahead...

I know people who tried electronics near CF. Seems like if well sheilded away from the the electronic it would be fine. My concern is if you drill holes and stiff and the dust flies onto a PCB

Get the fake stuff, looks just as cool but it is plastic.

David Schwantz said:

Get the fake stuff, looks just as cool but it is plastic.

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That's a good idea!

Maybe covering the sled with vinyl can take care of shorts, and cutting away non-structural CF can take care of RF blockage.

roytyson said:

So I have an idea of making my AV sled from carbon fiber sheets I have access to. One concern is blocking signal from my teleGPS or telemetrum.

Thoughts?

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May not be the best idea, but many have proven other ideas otherwise. Please post results.

Funkworks said:

Maybe covering the sled with vinyl can take care of shorts, and cutting away non-structural CF can take care of RF blockage.

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by then you might as well use ply

David Schwantz said:

by then you might as well use ply

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Ply is good enough for me, but if I was reaching for performance, I'd have to try a few things.

roytyson said:

So I have an idea of making my AV sled from carbon fiber sheets I have access to. One concern is blocking signal from my teleGPS or telemetrum.

Thoughts?

Click to expand...

Personally, I wouldn't risk it when there are other materials available and the loss of your rocket is at stake.

G10

I have tried a CF sled for the cool factor and it caused so many issues with shorts. I changed it to G10 and will not try a CF sled again.
If you do, any metal screws going into the sled should be isolated as well. Some altimeters have their mount holes as ground. I ended up using nylon screws until I made my G10 replacement sled.

No advantage, use thin G10.

rfjustin said:

No advantage, use thin G10.

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Glass is actually more tough. Carbon has less mass for same.

For what most of us do, it wouldn't matter