Altimeters

[Bruce R. Schaefer]

I agree. Once I build and fly my L3 bird on an L and then the cert M, I want to get back into electronics. (If it survives those flights, then I’ll try an N. :D) Telemetry kept me in rocketry in the late 60’s and 70’s. GPS is something that I haven’t tried yet. I know Warren is in to that, so I’ll have someone to give me pointers. Electronics, specifically sensors, is something I love and comes naturally. My L3 bird, providing it survives, has a nice 3 foot payload section for future electronics. And, that UK gyro is really cool, too. You’re absolutely right; there are so many areas in electronics with MUCH to do.

[Bruce R. Schaefer]

Yes it is an N. I ordered the load and the case from Jim Amos just last week. I decided on the Biggets White wolf load there is to date with the N2020WT. Should be a fantastic boost. My origanal intent being somewhat of the altitude junkie i am as well was to do a N4000BB but after reading that the Cert team must see the whole flight I toned it down some. The N4000BB simmed to right at 21K in altitude and the N2020WT is around 13K. Either way should be fun. I will save the N4000BB for next may for MHM.

Conway, since I was going to take a left turn, I wanted to put this in the right forum. What electronics are you using for your L3, for your primary and redundancy electronics?

[Conway StevensParticipant]

Im running for my primary a Missile Works RRC2X 40K MSL altimeter and for secondary/redundancy as well as data aquisition I will be running the Loki/Ozark ARTS altimeter. It will be done on dual 9v batteries with Missle works bat holders. Each end will have 2 charges for redundancy using the quickburst ematches. The Interupt and power on functions is controlled by 2 Missle works switches 1 for each Altimeter for power on/off so as to independantly turn each unit on and confirm status. Also each Ematch has a switch that will allow for the current to be broken to each ematch as a safety precaution. The switches are made by Newtons 3rd. they are a positve locking over 100 gee capable switch. The switches are all mounted on a plate and accessable via a door in the airframe in the camera bay porstion of the ebay. But thats the workings anyhow.

[Bruce R. Schaefer]

The switches are made by Newtons 3rd. they are a positve locking over 100 gee capable switch. The switches are all mounted on a plate and accessable via a door in the airframe in the camera bay porstion of the ebay.

I’ve got a couple of those switches, too, and will use them on my L3, as well. Nice to just tighten a screw on the outside and be done with it. 🙂 I currently use a MWC 40k (with a keyswitch) on the current bird I’ll fly on a K550, but I still haven’t decided which ones I’ll use on my L3. As it stands now, the Blacksky (w/data acq) and a G-Wiz accelerometer for redundancy, but that could change. Still experimenting. Thanks for the info, Conway. Heard a lot of good things about the Ozark altimeters.

[Conway StevensParticipant]

The ARTS looks to be very robust. using Gswitch for arming capable of 100G+ and they actually lay the capacitors down on their sides instead of stand them up and they use caps that have connection on each end not just one to make them so the dont move around and fly off the board from major accell or decell. But the Missile wors stuff is and has been my loyal favorites. Just wish Jim would come out with the MPAC as it would be better then any product on the market with its multi capabillities and modular design. Those switchs from Newtons 3rd are rock solid and great. easy but yet more then capable to handle any job they need to do.

[MikeSModerator]

Hi, I’m the guy that is never off weekends. I am stuck with G motors.
My progression is agonizingly slow.

All the great online help has allowed me to decide on a altimeter (RRC2x)
More for ejection and air start than altitude, and more for future rockets
if I ever can get a level.

Reading and experimenting all I can. I have come upon a question.

What is the lowest altitude the RRC2x will read?

Most if not all my flights are under 2000′

Thanks

[Ken PlattnerParticipant]

My understanding of the RRC2 is that once the liftoff is detected, the altimeter is armed – which I think is around 300 feet AGL or so. So, 2000′ is not a problem. So if the altimeter is set to deploy at apogee and the main at say 500′ and your rocket only goes to 400′, the apogee will deploy and 1 second later the main…

[Conway StevensParticipant]

I would recomend you get the RRC2X 25K version with one of the Missile Works Switches and battery holders.

The Altimeter must go to a minimum of 300Ft AGL before it will arm. Its minimum Main deployment is 300ft AGL. Via settings of the dip switches with options of 300, 500, 800, and 1000 ft for the 25Kmsl version. Max capable altitude is the 25K subtracting the elevation of the location that you are at above sea level. So for our North site you would come up with an altimeter thats good from 300ft to about 18.5k. Great choice of an altimeter. Its a really reliable piece. Ive owned several and swear by their reliability. I have flown them to reasonable altitudes around 15K and had them work perfect and as low as 1000ft. I trust the product enough that I am willing to risk my L3 cert to it as well as the price of the rocket about a $2,800 dollars. so I do think they do a good job.

[Chris LaPanse]

I am using 2 of them on my latest rocket, and I definitely trust them. Missile works products are very nice, and I have been extremely impressed with them with every use so far. As has been stated, 300′ is the minimum for them to arm. Anything above that, and you’re fine.

[Bruce R. Schaefer]

I’ve got the 40k version (yeah, for me, right… :)), and it’s going into my L3, too (the first-flight tested electronics) after Oktoberfest. I need it, can’t do without it.

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