Has anyone used the new Estes Star Tech Igniters

[Woody's Workshop]

When clustering, it seems to me it would be unsafe to use inconsistent igniters/starters, what ever name you want to use.
If engines lit on only one side of 7 engine cluster, it could loop into a crowd. Correct?
Whoever the idiots are that took reliability out of the igniters and changed the name needs to hung up by the bowling balls by starters.

 

[dpower]

When clustering, it seems to me it would be unsafe to use inconsistent igniters/starters, what ever name you want to use.
If engines lit on only one side of 7 engine cluster, it could loop into a crowd. Correct?
Whoever the idiots are that took reliability out of the igniters and changed the name needs to hung up by the bowling balls by starters.

I fly 7 motor clusters regularly. If 1, 2, 3 motors don’t light, still flies straight. Of course, with Q2G2s, it was rare for even 1 motor not to light. I haven’t given up on clusters with StarTech, but more testing is required.

 

[Woody's Workshop]

This may be a stupid question, but does it take actual burning material (tip of the igniter) or will a high voltage arc (sparkplug) work?

 

[neil_w]

This may be a stupid question, but does it take actual burning material (tip of the igniter) or will a high voltage arc (sparkplug) work?

It doesn't take a burning material, just heat, at least for BP motors. Someone has asked about sparkplugs before, but I don't remember if anyone had actually tried it. Certainly it would be far more difficult to arrange such a setup vs. our usual 12V systems.

 

[cwbullet]

I tested 1 pack and they simply work.

 

[Initiator001]

That would be great... but the F26 and F50 being sold now are specifically rebadged Aerotech motors. If Estes comes out with it's own composites (which would be a mighty interesting development) then I would expect the motors to be at least slightly different (that is, not exactly F26 and F50).

These are leftover stock.

At NARAM-60 BMS was acting as a agent for Estes and was selling F26 motors for $10/each and E30 motors for $7/each.

AeroTech has not made any motors for Estes to relabel since the original production run years ago.

 

[BEC]

I spotted Startech starters "in the wild" for the first time yesterday- in packs of C6-5s in the new Hobby Lobby dedicated packages (which have images of the HL price stickers right on the insert card). Interestingly enough there were B6-4s and A10-3Ts in the new packaging but with old starters in them, even though the A10s were made a month more recently, per the date codes on the motors.

 

[Woody's Workshop]

It doesn't take a burning material, just heat, at least for BP motors. Someone has asked about sparkplugs before, but I don't remember if anyone had actually tried it. Certainly it would be far more difficult to arrange such a setup vs. our usual 12V systems.

I was thinking along the lines of something that will insert into any size black powder engine that can be reused over and over. A heavier gauge wire that will arc, separated by some non-conductive, heat resistant material.
It's just a thought, but if something that would be available for at least 100 uses or more should have a market over the common type igniters. (I refuse to call them starters) I know I would be interested.
Perhaps someone like Mr. Beans from Jolly Logic could look into it.
I don't have the resources or knowledge, and anything I would make up I wouldn't have the funding to bring to market.
It would be great for myself but it would be awesome to be available to everyone.

 

[Scott_650]

I did a two motor cluster using Startechs at our club launch - worked fine, though the bitsa rocket was sacrificed to the Evil Corn, it did launch and fly perfectly. It’s only a single data point and with the juice the club’s system puts out maybe not all that relevant. But they did work.

 

[UhClem]

I was thinking along the lines of something that will insert into any size black powder engine that can be reused over and over.

I have been known to get two launches out of a Solar igniter. That required a launch controller with limited output current.

The problem is that you are inserting a metal object into a very tough environment. Not only the heat but the corrosive combustion products. Nothing will last very long in that.

 

[Woody's Workshop]

I have been known to get two launches out of a Solar igniter. That required a launch controller with limited output current.

The problem is that you are inserting a metal object into a very tough environment. Not only the heat but the corrosive combustion products. Nothing will last very long in that.

That's true. Well, it was a thought. Good idea, but not feasible I guess.