Aerotech Launch Systems and Batteries Life

How much Battery Life is used up, in a car, of one launch of an Aerotech Composite motor.

An insignificantly small, almost impossible to measure, amount. Something like a few amp-seconds out of a battery capable of something like 50-100 amp-hours.

Yeah, it's small but I still don't like to launch using my car battery. Get a lawn tractor battery and a float charger, total investment around 40 bucks.

I've used my Jeep/battery for a full day of launching various sized rockets, never ever had a problem with the Jeep starting. It has the same battery that was in the Jeep when we bought it several years ago.

well, give me an example of a battery. Could a link be possible?

windwater said:

well, give me an example of a battery. Could a link be possible?

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https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004EIDD2Q/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

That is basically what I have.

I use this car starter. Black & Decker 350 Amp. You can find cheaper ones or ones with other features, but it has worked great for me.

The handle makes it easily portable, an extension cord is all that's need to charge it, it has a USB charging port for you cell phone or other devices, and at the end of the day, it will still start your car for you. I take mine to all the club launches, just in case. I've started more cars with it then rockets, but thats good too.

Check pawn shops. My wife bought me a Sears/Craftsman car starter on sale for $44, normally $70 something. A week later I saw the exact same thing at a pawn shop for $15. It looked barely used. First time I'd seen or looked for one there.

I was wondering the same thing. I recently purchased the Initiator starter set which includes the interlock controller. It does not include a 12V battery, however. I have been looking around and found this: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Spypoint-12V-7.0-AH-Rechargeable-Battery-with-AC-Charger/17687575

It includes the charger and for $35, it seems like a good deal. I decided not to use my car battery for launches since it can be difficult to get a vehicle close to where I plan on launching. My only concern is the battery not being "strong" enough for the controller. It looks like its made for trail cameras. I figure I would give it a try, and if it doesn't work, just return it.

EDIT: Just found this in the archive: It looks like a 7AH battery like the one I posted above is good for quite a few launches before recharging:

Quote from user bobkrech: "The link below lists a number of 12 V gell cell batteries. You typically use up 0.005 to 0.01 AH capacity per high power igniter, or to be conservative 100 launches per AH capacity. Our club launchers use 7 AH capacity batteries which are good for several hundred launches. For personal use a 2 AH battery is fine, but there is little difference in price for a 5 AH or 7 AH battery. Just remember that the batteries weight about 1 pound per AH so the higher the capacity, the heavier the battery. "

I paid $19.88 plus a $9 core charge for this battery at my local walmart.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStart-U1R-7-Tractor-Mower-Battery/16795214
Prices and core fees may be different in your area.

One of these keeps it ready for action.
https://www.harborfreight.com/autom...ry/automatic-battery-float-charger-42292.html

All I use is a small 5ahr Trailer battery meant for the Breakaway system. Total investment about $12.00. Works for several launches, easy to carry, only weighs about 1/2 Lb. Totally sealed nonspillable. I charge it with my cig lighter on the way to a launch sight.
Universal battery part # UB1250.
Today I just finished launching my Arreaux, Initiator, Warthog, Arcas, as well as 2 home built .. All were launched on F and G power and one 4XC6 cluster. 9 total flights plus 3 Copperhead missfires(igniter fired but failed to light motor).
5 Amp Hour battery worked just fine. No issues other than the copperhead syndrom.

JPVegh said:

I paid $19.88 plus a $9 core charge for this battery at my local walmart.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStart-U1R-7-Tractor-Mower-Battery/16795214
Prices and core fees may be different in your area.

One of these keeps it ready for action.
https://www.harborfreight.com/autom...ry/automatic-battery-float-charger-42292.html

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If you don't mind me asking, what is a core charge?

CO11WRX said:

If you don't mind me asking, what is a core charge?

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He used shorthand jargon and did not explain the term. If you buy a bettery, you are charged for the "core" which is lead and a toxic waste material. If you go home or to the parking lot, remove the old battery and install the new battery and then take the old battery back into the store with the receipt, they will refund you the "core charge" which is the amount they charged you for the new battery lead toxic waste material. they send the old cores back for recycling.

Also, some places refere to the fee for the lead core as a "core deposit" which is less confusing since we are talking about a rechargeable battery and the word "charge" makes most people think about filling the battery or charging it up with electricity.

shreadvector said:

He used shorthand jargon and did not explain the term. If you buy a bettery, you are charged for the "core" which is lead and a toxic waste material. If you go home or to the parking lot, remove the old battery and install the new battery and then take the old battery back into the store with the receipt, they will refund you the "core charge" which is the amount they charged you for the new battery lead toxic waste material. they send the old cores back for recycling.

Click to expand...

shreadvector said:

Also, some places refere to the fee for the lead core as a "core deposit" which is less confusing since we are talking about a rechargeable battery and the word "charge" makes most people think about filling the battery or charging it up with electricity.

Click to expand...

thanks!

Sounds like I'd be safe making a set of leads to plug into my RC flight box power panel and running my launch device off of that, then? It has a 12V 7Ah gel cell battery for running my electric starter and backup glow plug lighter. All I'd need is a set of banana plugs to fit and I'm good to go!

jsargevt said:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004EIDD2Q/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

That is basically what I have.

Click to expand...

OK, how do you charge the silly thing? The picture doesn't show that.

Andrew