ActingLikeAKid
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- Nov 16, 2015
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After losing much of the summer to "life events", I FINALLY got back to launching and had a wonderful short LPR launch on Sunday. Everything was utterly textbook. Flew about six rockets and they all came back. The biggest headache was my launch controller. It's an Estes "electron beam", and after about 10 months of use, it's probably time to replace it: The alligator clip springs are getting weak, the battery cover is missing, and I'm using a piece of heavy-duty paperclip in place of the safety key.
So I was thinking... I may actually have access to a location where I can launch HPR on my own, so why not build a controller that's capable of that? And obviously, if it's good for HPR, it's fine for LPR too. Tell me if I'm missing something, but this is what I'm planning.
Supplies:
12v rechargeable security system battery (like https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A82A4N8/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20)
16g speaker wire (100 feet)
TBD connectors for wire to box
Alligator clips for the "business end" of the wires
1 push-button switch
1 "key" switch with removable key
small LED for "continuity" indicator
Assorted small electronics connectors
Method:
Install and secure battery in box.
Wire negative lead of battery to negative terminal in box wall
Wire positive lead of battery to one pole of key switch.
Wire the other pole of the key switch to LED to positive terminal in box wall.
Also wire the "second" pole of the key switch to one side of the launch button
Wire the other side of the launch button to the positive terminal in box wall.
With all that done, I should get a continuity light from the LED without it sending enough current to burn the ignitor, but when I push the button, the ignitor burns. This seems like a 1-2 hour fairly easy project. I'm trying to avoid soldering because .... well, because I don't have a soldering iron and don't feel like buying one right now I will, eventually (because there are some Eggtimer projects in my future) but for now, wire nuts and crimp connectors ought to do.
Am I right on this? Is this as easy as it sounds?
So I was thinking... I may actually have access to a location where I can launch HPR on my own, so why not build a controller that's capable of that? And obviously, if it's good for HPR, it's fine for LPR too. Tell me if I'm missing something, but this is what I'm planning.
Supplies:
12v rechargeable security system battery (like https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A82A4N8/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20)
16g speaker wire (100 feet)
TBD connectors for wire to box
Alligator clips for the "business end" of the wires
1 push-button switch
1 "key" switch with removable key
small LED for "continuity" indicator
Assorted small electronics connectors
Method:
Install and secure battery in box.
Wire negative lead of battery to negative terminal in box wall
Wire positive lead of battery to one pole of key switch.
Wire the other pole of the key switch to LED to positive terminal in box wall.
Also wire the "second" pole of the key switch to one side of the launch button
Wire the other side of the launch button to the positive terminal in box wall.
With all that done, I should get a continuity light from the LED without it sending enough current to burn the ignitor, but when I push the button, the ignitor burns. This seems like a 1-2 hour fairly easy project. I'm trying to avoid soldering because .... well, because I don't have a soldering iron and don't feel like buying one right now I will, eventually (because there are some Eggtimer projects in my future) but for now, wire nuts and crimp connectors ought to do.
Am I right on this? Is this as easy as it sounds?
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