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I have yet to fly a dual deploy, so maybe my experience is too limited.
In my efforts to keep the expense down for setting off deployment charges, I have had 20 for 20 success in ground tests of using minature Christmas tree lights. A string of 100 lights sells for aobut $4.00. The string uses about 6 amps. That would mean each bulb, (basically, two leads, with a filament of nichrome connected to the two, encased in a glass bubble) uses about .06 amps to glow. I have tested it with as small as a 1.5V AA battery and had success. I cut the wires from the string, carefully break the glass into a trash can to avoid injury, (both present and future), and check for continuity. If all is good, I place this in my ejection charge container and pour my powder over it and close it up. I have had 100% success rate in 20 ground tests. For a still smaller unit, I pull the unbroken bulb from it’s socket, solder on some longer leads with #30 wire( I have also expiremented with #26 wire) carefully break the glass and then dip it in pyrogen, like the magfire and seal it. I have made a little test stand and since I have an abundance of old engines, I have tested to see if I could get this ignitor into a small nozzle. I could and it fired successfully. I have only done this about 6 for 6 times. As this has been succesful, it would seem to me that I can make ignitors for motors or ejections for about $0.10 each. It is a little time consuming, but it fires the imagination and pushes my envelope. If anyone sees any flaws or holes that I have not described or thought of, please let me know before I make a bigger fool of myself.
Remember, if the women don’t find you handsome, at least they will find you handy!
I have seen some people mount the socket for the bulb in the end of the ebay plate and just plug the bulb into it. 8) Then all you have to do in plug in a new bulb for the next flight. I think I will try this on my next rocket that will stay under say 12000 agl 😉
We are Good to Go with our scheduled and approved launch on Saturday April 5th and Sunday April 6th, from the North Site, subject to change – Mostly cloudy and High Winds predicted. Range and waiver should be active by 9AM on Saturday. The Pawnee National Grassland remains fragile and dry, so extra precautions are in order. Please stay on the authorized roads and please don’t park more than 100’ off the road at the flight line.