I read somewhere that people use a switch to short out an e-match and
just before launch they open the switch so the ejection charge can be
activitated by the altimeter.
But doesn't this make the altimeter continuity check useless? It will
show continuity with the switch in either position so it would be
possible to launch the rocket with the ejection charges still shorted.
Wiring the switch in series with the e-match and altimeter would
eliminate this problem. Then the altimeter would only detect
continuity if the switch was closed and so there could be no false
continuity signal.
I realize this would not prevent the e-match from being set off by
static electricity, etc., but I've never heard that static is a real
problem for HPR fliers.
Any thoughts on this?
Larry Lobdell Jr.
- posted 15 years ago