billdz
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- Feb 10, 2017
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Last week I launched a dual deploy rocket. The flight was good but the main chute deployed at apogee, apparently the NC was not on tight enough. So a long walk to get the rocket but otherwise all seemed fine.
Later inspection revealed, however, that the ematch and ejection charge for the main chute never fired, so perhaps I was fortunate that the main chute deployed on its own. On the pad, the altimeter beeped as it should (PerfectFlite MAWD, 3 beeps), so the ematch was properly connected. Apparently something happened in the air, because now the ematch looks unused but it reads open on a meter. The battery tests OK. So apparently either 1) the altimeter worked as it should but the ematch was defective, 2) the altimeter was defective and failed to hit the ematch with sufficient current for ignition, or 3) somehow the premature ejection of the main chute caused the ematch to open.
Any thoughts? I've heard of ejection failures (guess that's why redundant altimeters are a good idea) but this is the first time it has happened to me.
Later inspection revealed, however, that the ematch and ejection charge for the main chute never fired, so perhaps I was fortunate that the main chute deployed on its own. On the pad, the altimeter beeped as it should (PerfectFlite MAWD, 3 beeps), so the ematch was properly connected. Apparently something happened in the air, because now the ematch looks unused but it reads open on a meter. The battery tests OK. So apparently either 1) the altimeter worked as it should but the ematch was defective, 2) the altimeter was defective and failed to hit the ematch with sufficient current for ignition, or 3) somehow the premature ejection of the main chute caused the ematch to open.
Any thoughts? I've heard of ejection failures (guess that's why redundant altimeters are a good idea) but this is the first time it has happened to me.