Mellow Yellow Clusters

mccordmw

Well-Known Member
TRF Supporter
Joined
Jan 18, 2016
Messages
1,051
Reaction score
72
Location
St. Louis, MO
Does anyone know how hard it is for CTI Mellow Yellow to ignite? Considering a 3" 3x29 mm H42 MY cluster, but I need to make sure they will all start at the same time. I don't have a lot of experience with the slower burning engines.
 

djs

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2014
Messages
3,382
Reaction score
265
No experience with the H42, but I've flown the G33. It's sometimes finicky to light and slow. Also, one time saw it light for a split second, stop burning, sit on the ground for 2-3 seconds, and then relight again.
 

mikec

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 9, 2009
Messages
2,948
Reaction score
748
I've only flown 38mm Mellow motors but haven't had any difficulty in igniting them, even in airstarts. Note that for CTI motors, you have to get the igniter in close proximity to the BP pellet at the top of the core for reliable ignition.
 

Salvage-1

Certified
Joined
Mar 17, 2012
Messages
2,681
Reaction score
17
I have flown a few of the larger Mellow loads (L265), and i have seen a slight delay between the pop of the starter and the motor coming up to pressure.
You are using smaller diameter, so they should pressurise faster.
The only problem that i see is, if you are starting them both on the ground, and one decides to have a slight (1/4 sec) delay.... your flight will not be that good.
Airstarting... oh yeah..
 

jd2cylman

Still not Carl... ;-)
TRF Supporter
Joined
Jun 16, 2011
Messages
6,322
Reaction score
2,444
No experience with the H42, but I've flown the G33. It's sometimes finicky to light and slow. Also, one time saw it light for a split second, stop burning, sit on the ground for 2-3 seconds, and then relight again.

And THAT wasn't fun... :wink:
 

ThirstyBarbarian

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2013
Messages
11,574
Reaction score
6,192
No experience with the H42, but I've flown the G33. It's sometimes finicky to light and slow. Also, one time saw it light for a split second, stop burning, sit on the ground for 2-3 seconds, and then relight again.

When you say "sit on the ground", do you mean sit on the launch pad, or on the actual ground? There's nothing like having a rocket do a 4.4 second burn after taking off in a random, unguided direction...
 

djs

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2014
Messages
3,382
Reaction score
265
When you say "sit on the ground", do you mean sit on the launch pad, or on the actual ground? There's nothing like having a rocket do a 4.4 second burn after taking off in a random, unguided direction...

Rocket went up off the rod about 5 feet, landed on the ground. I remember thinking "yup- weird burn there- guess it was a bad motor".. then it re-ignited and had an unplanned encounter with Mr. jd2cylman. It was an Art Applewhite priority stealth odd roc.
 

mccordmw

Well-Known Member
TRF Supporter
Joined
Jan 18, 2016
Messages
1,051
Reaction score
72
Location
St. Louis, MO
Now I might consider 3 inline motors with airstarting a central MY and using faster motors on the outside to give it a kick. Gotta check weights, though. And I'm not sure I can pack that into a 3" mailing tube. I'll check my stock to see if I have any 4" tubes for the booster and then transition to a 3".

I just have so many stinking 3" tubes to use up. I have 16 2' x 3" tubes on hand. :facepalm:

Must...focus...on...L3 for now....

Ooh! Shiny!
 

terryg

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 19, 2009
Messages
2,710
Reaction score
285
Location
Tucson, Az
There was a amazing night launch rocket at LDRS 35 with a cluster of CTI Mellow Yellow engines. It was brightly lit with 2000+ leds and the flight was a slow elevator like liftoff that just kept going and going.
 
Top