Rocketry Electronics Storage

[CoyoteNumber2]

How does everyone store their altimeters/trackers/etc. when not installed in an airframe?

I've been looking for the right combination of "organizer box" and "ESD-safe" but haven't found any winners. I am curious to know what other people do.

 

[fyrwrxz]

I like to take them out of the rocket, put them on the corner of the desk where I can then proceed to knock them off onto the floor and step on them. What's this "box" thing you speak of?

 

[cls]

I have learned to put them in a static proof baggie, so that after I knock them off the bench and step on them, it's easy to throw away all the pieces.

 

[VAXman]

I built a "brief case" from 6mm (¼in.) plywood to my desired dimensions to hold all my electronics (altimerers and tracking transmitters and receiver) and chargers. Some sections are lined with ESD-foam. Altimeters are stored in 3D printed cases which have pin/studs that align with the mounting holes of the altimeters to hold them in place. I'm planing to rearrange this case and laser cut dividers for it from 3mm plywood if/when I get some free time.

The case has a piano hinge, two locking latches and a carrying handle. It's been urethane coated to make it water resistant. There also a pocket in the lid for manuals.

 

[jgarbus]

I've gone to dedicated electronics per rocket and carry a few spares in an anti static bag that's in a small plastic container. Per for electronics has come down that it's no longer a big deal to buy more.

Next project is to standardize. I have too many makes / models so I am testing one more model and if it works the way I want, I'm selling all but one manufacturer.

 

[NTP2]

I like to take them out of the rocket, put them on the corner of the desk where I can then proceed to knock them off onto the floor and proceed to step on them. What's this "box" thing you speak of?

+1 sometimes I forget to take them out of the rocket and then forget I ever had them.

 

[2-0turbo]

+1 sometimes I forget to take them out of the rocket and then forget I ever had them.

You forgot about buying duplicates, because you didn't know you had the one, and then ending up with two.

I don't do that quite as much with rocketry electronics, but there are other things I forgot that I ordered previously, can't find and then end up with duplicates.

 

[JoePfeiffer]

I bought a bunch of anti static bags on Amazon; I put them in the bags and on a shelf.

 

[Antares JS]

I bought a bunch of anti static bags on Amazon; I put them in the bags and on a shelf.

Same, except I save used anti-static bags from the trash at work.

 

[DragonRocketry]

Stored in anti-static bags and then go into my packout case. That is for alt, timers, etc. My trackers are all in a backpack that has my laptop and my tracking equipment.

 

[troj]

Mine go back in the anti-static baggies they came in, then go inside the "electronics box". That's just a small boring toolbox with my handheld radios and their charges, plus all my altimeters and trackers.

 

[fyrwrxz]

+1 sometimes I forget to take them out of the rocket and then forget I ever had them.

Same here. Killed a few batteries that way. Glad I'm not alone!

 

[311stylie]

I bought a bunch of anti static bags on Amazon; I put them in the bags and on a shelf.

That's a good idea. Currently I throw all of mine haphazardly in a cubby inside a Rigid modular tool box thingy I use for a field box. Being in south Texas static is only a concern 2 weeks in February LOL but the baggies would give them a little protection from my chaotic storage method.

 

[FredA]

Why take them out of the rocket?
Leave them installed - in known working condition.
Especially if your EBay is like most and is a rats nest of monochromatic wire - why redo all those connections?

Just install a new battery at the start of the season.
Otherwise, there's no reason to even open the EBay unless you want to unload the data.

 

[jgarbus]

Why take them out of the rocket?
Leave them installed - in known working condition.
Especially if your EBay is like most and is a rats nest of monochromatic wire - why redo all those connections?

Just install a new battery at the start of the season.
Otherwise, there's no reason to even open the EBay unless you want to unload the data.

Agree.

 

[Art Upton]

I keep them in the Ebay they are mounted on the sled Until need replaced. New ones stay in the anti-bags till needed.

I had standard LOC AVbays between rockets, 5.35" av bay, 7.5 av-bay I could interchange sleds as needed. They stayed on the sleds. 4" rockets , except for desert darts, used standard LOC 4" AV-bay and used the AV-bay between rockets, then one for 54" and now 3".

Right now while I have the 5.35 and 7.5 AV-bays still, the ARTS altimeters on the sleds and Desert Darts I sold them for experimentation purposes.

Currently I have PerfectFlite SL100 and SLCF now in bays and 2 SLCFs on the shelf new in anti-bag.

 

[Art Upton]

Why take them out of the rocket?
Leave them installed - in known working condition.
Especially if your EBay is like most and is a rats nest of monochromatic wire - why redo all those connections?

Just install a new battery at the start of the season.
Otherwise, there's no reason to even open the EBay unless you want to unload the data.

While I did the above, I put in a new battery about every month, for my own good.

 

[FredA]

I put in a new battery about every month, for my own good.

I wish I could get out to a launch site that often!

 

[Art Upton]

I wish I could get out to a launch site that often!

Back then I did, sometimes every 2 weeks. Those days are gone by, doing about 16-20 launches a year. But I have been to local launches now for the past 3 months, looking forward to one this month yet. That was after no launches since 2019.

But none of those local launches have needed altimeters yet, only Jolly Release or pop-a-chute at the top.

 

[FredA]

BTW - when I do change a battery, I also tighten all the terminal blocks too.
I actually prefer to eliminate the terminal blocks.
Some altimeter manufacturers are willing to build without stuffing the TB's.
Other times I unsolder them and put them in the trash.
On a four-channel system that eliminates a dozen potential failure points.
Worth it if you're flying really hard, IMO.

 

[RocketPro]

Static bags and inside a waterproof Pelican case.

 

[0011001100]

I use old pill bottles. The big ones are especially nice for keeping batteries with their respective devices.

 

[Sooner Boomer]

If you really need anti-static for long term storage, you can wrap unpowered, discharged circuit boards in aluminum foil. Or, for excitement, wrap fully powered boards!