club multiple launcher - useful features? (long)

It doesn't say "removable" (though the NFPA does). An interlock could be a second switch which prevents the completion of the circuit. Personally, disconnecting the battery would be the 'safest' thing you could do. For club systems, I like the idea of a keyed momentary so 2 switches have to be activated. Unfortunately, the discussion on TRF someone indicated that they had both had a rocket launched because the incorrect pad was selected, and someone testing continuity at a remote box while the owner was "right next to the rocket". So it still comes back to a switch between the clips and pad that the 'loader' has control over, or it's not really providing any "safety".

Joel. phx

Actually, those orange extension cords are the cheapest wire you can buy. A

Bob Kaplow NAR # 18L TRA # "Impeach the TRA BoD" >>> To reply, remove the TRABoD!

Not sure how to implement that and still be the safe distance away when doing so...

Bob Kaplow NAR # 18L TRA # "Impeach the TRA BoD" >>> To reply, remove the TRABoD!

continiously

So would you consider it a safe practice to leave the safety key in an Estes controller when connecting the leads? I really think I'm missing something here.....

Multiple switches (relays) would be my first thought. Why is it OK to eliminate a safety feature?

Joel. phx

We don't have that problem, but stepping on/bumping a controller has happened now and again,...

Joel. phx

Remember that Joel launches with clubs using "missfire alley" and most fliers use their own equipment (joel included).

If a club doesn't have launch equipment, maybe the best thing to consider is to have fliers provide their own (like joel's own setup)

Joel's club and mine (SSS Phx), fliers have always brought pads, and allowed those who don't have one, to use what's needed. In 5 years, I've never seen/heard of someone "not flying" cause they couldn't find a pad..

There's no "club team" needed to set-up/tear down the pads (those who do it will get sick of after a few months, as it's always the same folks), and the pads/contollers will be better maintained (the flier owns the pad, and will clean the gunk off when needed)

Any regional launch I've flown at,outside of AZ, the pads have been CRAP! The rods/rails are gunked up, and clips may or may not be on the wires from the controller!

Missfire alley also allows the flyer to push the button, and if you've not launched that way, it DOES add to the flight!

Consider Missfire Alley before you build a "multi launch club controller"

Personally,

At all the events Ive been to (in the UK), the set-up has been that the flier pushes the button. This is obviously in part since our events tend to be much smaller than launches in the US, but FWIW, the EARS set-up is quite simple.

HPR and LPR pads are set up in two lines extending at right-angles from the RSO tent, HPR down a gravel track and LPR up the side of a concrete road. Fliers set up their own pads/controllers as they like at the appropriate distance, and people are usually fine with others using their pads (maybe with a sign saying 'No Smoky Sams please' in some cases!). For a small-ish launch this seems to work fine, and means that everyone pushes the button on their flight.

At UKRA2004 (the big event) the HPR pads were set up in a line parallel to the flight line, with them being mostly personal pads, but with 5 UKRA owned pads for general use. Again the flier pressed the button. The UKRA launch controller (made by Steve Randall IIRC), of which there is 1 per UKRA pad, has a relay/battery box at the pad end, with a lead-acid battery and a separate power switch. At the user end, there is a hand-held box with a keyswitch, continuity LED and a PTM switch on each side. To launch, the key is turned, and both buttons must be held down.

The idea of having an LCO launch all the rockets seems quite strange to me, but I guess for large events its probably the best way of doing things.

My 2p worth...

-- Niall Oswald ========= UKRA 1345 L0 EARS 1151 MARS

"Gravity assisted pieces of the rocket raining from the sky should be avoided. It is also financially undesirable."

-Portland State Aerospace Society

This should be in the FAQ.

Near the top.

Alas, an Estes controller dumps a lot more current through the igniter that that. But the only reason it's not safe IMHO is that someone might accidently push the button while you're hooking it up.

Bob Kaplow NAR # 18L TRA # "Impeach the TRA BoD" >>> To reply, remove the TRABoD!

You CAN drag race with such a system by stacking multiple dual-banana plug jacks on one pad. But to the system, it still appears as if you are launching one pad.

I suppose at the spider end you could use a strip outlet or one of those

We've thought about this upgrade. How do you make it bright enough to be seen withot needing an additional power source for each pad?

Bob Kaplow NAR # 18L TRA # "Impeach the TRA BoD" >>> To reply, remove the TRABoD!

There are pros and cons to this. One disadvantage is that you never know for sure what size pad will be available at the launch. If you go planning to fly a large Level 3 rocket, and the one or two guys who have a pad that large don't make it to the launch, you're out of luck.

So what?

Risk it, and do something really strange. BRING A LAUNCH PAD WITH YOU AND SHARE.

Jerry

Radical.

I would think if you're flying at that level, you'd know the guys with the big pads and be organized enough to make sure one of them was going to be there before lugging your rocket to the range. You've managed to jump through all the hoops to get qualified to fly and buy HP motors, what's a friendly phone call or two to the guys whose generosity you're counting on to keep you from having to buy your own launch equipment?

-- Carl D Cravens ( snipped-for-privacy@phoenyx.net) Wichita, Kansas, US -- Read my model rocketry journal at

Jerry replied:

I've always brought my own pad. It seems pretty wasteful though for every member to have to buiild and bring their own pad, especially very large ones that they might not use more than once or twice a year.

have to?? moron detector on full

Except now they will get alot of use!! Invite more folks to launches then have people lie about how many attended years later.

You are really a naysayer supreme Ray.

Your glass is 9/10 empty.

Jerry

Looks like the moron detector worked. You popped up with great authority. 8-)

Stalker.

I wrote: