There was a threat like this on the Parrot Featherweight forum. Figured the discussion would work here as well, so here's an opening shot:
I have an extremely simple way to mount accelerometers/altimeters with an existing electronics bay. It invloves plastic cutting mats, which have largely replaced kitchen cutting boards. These are available at kitchen supply stores and departments. (I get mine at Sears, for example) Cutting mats come in a variety of thicknesses and stiffnesses. They are frequently sold in packs that reflect that variety.
For HPR and mid power rockets, I cut out a piece that just fits vertically in the electronics bay. Ideally, it can be held in place by the nose cone. In such rockets, I use a piece that is a tad wider than half the inside circumference of the bay. I simply screw the instrument to the plastic strip and insert the (stiff but flexible) strip inside the rocket, allowing the flexible material to conform to the inside of the body tube. I then secure the nose cone with a single screw.
***
The trick is that it conforms to the circumference, and it doesn't buckle under acceleration in the curved state. (Naturally don't obstruct the static port...) Adjust the mat thickness to expected accelerations.
***
I have never tried it in model rockets, which have flimsier body tubes. For these I would try a thinner cutting mat, and I would size it such that it goes almost all the way around the inside of the body tube, allowing just enough space for the static port.
Regards,
-LarryC
I have an extremely simple way to mount accelerometers/altimeters with an existing electronics bay. It invloves plastic cutting mats, which have largely replaced kitchen cutting boards. These are available at kitchen supply stores and departments. (I get mine at Sears, for example) Cutting mats come in a variety of thicknesses and stiffnesses. They are frequently sold in packs that reflect that variety.
For HPR and mid power rockets, I cut out a piece that just fits vertically in the electronics bay. Ideally, it can be held in place by the nose cone. In such rockets, I use a piece that is a tad wider than half the inside circumference of the bay. I simply screw the instrument to the plastic strip and insert the (stiff but flexible) strip inside the rocket, allowing the flexible material to conform to the inside of the body tube. I then secure the nose cone with a single screw.
***
The trick is that it conforms to the circumference, and it doesn't buckle under acceleration in the curved state. (Naturally don't obstruct the static port...) Adjust the mat thickness to expected accelerations.
***
I have never tried it in model rockets, which have flimsier body tubes. For these I would try a thinner cutting mat, and I would size it such that it goes almost all the way around the inside of the body tube, allowing just enough space for the static port.
Regards,
-LarryC