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Design question

  • Rild99
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3 years 2 weeks ago #10409 by Rild99
Design question was created by Rild99
This is my take on the first camera rocket, Maul's 1912 gunpowder rocket.
Overall length: 49.5"
Weight w/o engines: 7.5 ozThree launch lugs: one fin mounted, one on a standoff on the BT-5, one on the power stage.
Because this is a tractor style, with canted engines, I am concerned that the ignition wires will catch on the fins at launch. My proposed solution: run wires up the BT-5's and have a set of alligator clips near the engines and have the range clips attach to the ends at the bottom. 
Is there something wrong with this idea?
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3 years 1 week ago #10410 by hgreenblatt
Replied by hgreenblatt on topic Design question
Are your wires permanently attached to the bt5s?  If so, how do you plan to ensure the range clips detach from your extension wires?  In order to ensure a good connection a lot of people wrap the ignition wires around the range clips.  For small nichrome wires, they usually get ejected from the motor upon ignition.  

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3 years 1 week ago #10419 by Rild99
Replied by Rild99 on topic Design question
Since the range clips are smooth jaw I expect the wires to just pull free.

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3 years 1 week ago #10422 by guyw
Replied by guyw on topic Design question
Not all of the range clips are smooth jaw anymore. A lot of them are now Stainless Steel Alligator clips.

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3 years 1 week ago #10423 by Rild99
Replied by Rild99 on topic Design question
Oh.
If you look at the pic, the fins are 30 inches below the engines. Am I worrying for nothing and at launch the range clips won't catch them on their way up?

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3 years 1 week ago #10424 by guyw
Replied by guyw on topic Design question
If you required the fins to catch the clips, I wouldn't worry. Wanting them to not catch gaurentees they will. I have pictures of the 1010 rail that launched with a rocket at NSL in Geneseo. It is best to design against the wires catching.

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