testing altimeters

[SCOTT EVANS]

Any body have any experiance testing altimeters? The instructions says use a tube on the baro senser and draw a vacume. Joe told me some in the club, have some neet ways of testing them. ??? Food saver? 😉

Scott e

[Ken PlattnerParticipant]

I don’t know that I’d use a food saver, but I’ve never tested one like that. BTW – you have a PM.

Ken.

[Ed Dawson]

Scott,

The simplest way of testing some baro altimeters is to take a straw and place it right on top of the pressure sensor chip and take a in a big breath. You can at least get an altitude reading.

One thing that I have put together is a mason jar connected to a hand held vacuum pump – like the ones used for bleeding brake lines. I simply drilled though the lid of the jar and glued in one of the connectors included with the brake bleeding kit.

I can fit two altimeters in a single 1 quart jar. I have considered building a larger plexiglass case to test multiple devices at once.

[SCOTT EVANS]

I might try that.
Im not trying to get to ridiculous with it but, I also might try to find an aircraft style (without the price, something cheap) manifold pressure gauge to hook up. They read in possitive pressure instead unlike a vacume gauge. Maybe just a barometer? hmmm If anybody has any suggestions let me know.

Scott e

[SCOTT EVANS]

Well
The cheapest gauge Aircraft Spruce has Is $110.00 (reads in inches)
For that I could buy a small digital altimeter, which is kinda what I had in mind any way.
I thought it might be kinda nice to simulate altitudes, to check the units out thoroughly. Or any other little electronic devices I dont know anything about yet.
I would probably have to build that plexiglass box that you were talking about Ed, and with some Chrome trim, to justify the cost of the set up.

scott

[Bruce R. Schaefer]

The cheapest gauge Aircraft Spruce has Is $110.00 (reads in inches)
For that I could buy a small digital altimeter, which is kinda what I had in mind any way.

Scott, just buy a MWC mini altimeter. You’re putting yourself WAY into too much work and worry.

[SCOTT EVANS]

I have 2

working on a duel ebay now

Just would like to know that they are doing what they are supose to do up close. Not 5000 feet away like last time 😉

scott e

[Bruce R. Schaefer]

Just would like to know that they are doing what they are supose to do up close. Not 5000 feet away like last time

I understand. Though never had that happen (the altimeter being bad), just something I did, or didn’t do. 😳 Stuff happens. Best of luck next time! Do what you need or feel you have to.

[SCOTT EVANS]

I do believe the altimeter did its job the last time. Both parachutes were burned(the main moastly). But they didnt eject. I think the maximus amount of powder I put in, trully blew the sides of the rocket out(not enough to blow it in half but enough to punch a hole and let the pressure out). I dont really intend to build this thing now. But it would be nice to have one.

Besides what else do I have to talk about? The snow? Cold Weather?
Yesterday was the shortest day and longest cold night of the year! The days starts getting longer from here-yahoo!
😀

Scott (I love Spring time) Evans

[Bruce R. Schaefer]

Yeah… wish I had a heated garage. This time wouldn’t be wasted. I have two rockets to build for next year, and they’re sitting in pieces, just waiting, out in that cold garage. We all understand the need to make sure everything will work. And, the first time you use any piece of electronics you wonder if it will work. So much of this is done on faith that everything will work, with a LOT at stake if it doesn’t. The best thing with electronics is to not handle them without being grounded, and if you have one, use an ESD mat to handle them when you’re mounting them on the ebay board. Always grip a PC board at the edges, being careful not to touch any exposed copper traces or components, especially the IC’s (those square or rectangle black things). One zap of static electricity can destroy them. Keep electronics in ESD bags, the pink or mylar ones. Best to handle them only when you have to. But you know this, so I’ll jump off the grounded soap box. 🙄

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