Thanks to all who helped out with my question about the Estes E controller.
I am now thinking more along the lines of an aerotech interlock as my first controller.
However, I read somewhere today that an Estes controller should be used with Estes igniters. As my first build in progress is an Estes Big Bertha, I am a bit confused on this subject.
Would the Aerotech interlock be incompatible or require some adaptation to work with the Estes B and C rocket engines?
Here is what you are really asking and the answer:
"Why is an Estes controller not recommended for other brands of igniters and what is the compatability of various controllers with various igniters?"
A controller must do several things.
* It must comply with NFPA code for safety (have a removeable interlock or "key" and have wires from the controllerr to the pad that are of the specified length for the power level being launched).
* It must be safe to use, so the continuity indicator (lamp or buzzer) must not allow too much current to flow through because some igniters can fire on very low current flows.
* When the spring return launch button is pushed, it must deliver enough current to the igniter to heat it up to ignite the motor or the pyrogen on the tip of the igniter.
Estes controller deliver 200 milli-amps of current throught the continuity lamp. This will fire a Quest Q2G2 igniter, so the Estes controller will work with Quest igniters, but it will not be safe to check continuity. you can solve this by replacing the incandescent lamp with a low current super-bright LED. This reduces the current to 30 milli-amps.
The Estes controller will not be able to deliver a large amount of amps to fire high current igniters such as the Aerotech Copperhead. For those you need a larger power source - usually a 12 volt battery like a small lead acid car, scooter or computer battery or a ni-cad battery pack. The Estes controller will deliver enough amps to quickly heat up and fire their Estes igniters.
The Quest controller will be safe for all igniters when checking continuity because of it's LED and electronics. Firing current will be a bit more than Estes because of the use of a 9 volt alkaline battery and the slightly thicker wires to the pad. If you use the External Battery Connector (EBC), then you can use a 6 volt lantern battery or a 12 volt battery and fire any igniter known, while still being continuity safe.
The Aerotech interlock controller will be continuity safe (electronic buzzer and no lamp) and will fire any igniter known and it has long thick wires to the pad. Make sure you have micro clips for non-Copperhead igniters.
The Estes E controller is undergoing testing with an LED for possible production incorporation. It has longer thicker wires and will deliver more amps to the pad from the 4 AA alkaline batteries than the regular Estes controller with the shorter thinner wires. It can ignite clusters of 2 Estes igniters or a large number of Quest Q2G2 igniters, but will not fire Copperheads unless you bypass the battery compartment and use a more powerful battery.