New Featherweight magnetic switches just arrived.
They have the same form factor and mounting holes as the previous version, but the new electronics perform significantly better than previous versions:
They have the same form factor and mounting holes as the previous version, but the new electronics perform significantly better than previous versions:
- Longer range. A small (1/4" diameter, 3/4' long) rare-Earth magnet now activates the switch from 1.75", up from about 1." This gives more flexibility for locating the switch within the av-bay.
- The new magnetic sensor turns on with one magnet orientation and then to turn it off, flip the magnet 180 degrees. This makes it easier to have multiple magnetically-activated switches in an av-bay, because if you're trying to turn everything on, you won't also accidentally turn one one of the devices off when the magnet passes by.
- Lower standby current. The switch draws about 13 micro Amps when it's off. This is low enough to prep your rocket and button it up whenever you want to before the launch. For example, let's say you use it to connect a 400 mAhr tracker battery to a Featherweight tracker the week before a launch. But then launch gets rained out and your rocket is still prepped and waiting for the launch 1 month later. In 30 days, the switch will drain the battery by only 9.4 mAhrs out of 400.
- The new switch's default state is off. When the battery is connected to the switch, the switch output is off until the battery turns it on.
- High current capacity: The output FET is rated for 20 V and 24 Amps.
- The switch remembers the last state for about 2 seconds if power is temporarily interrupted.