#11
|
||||
|
||||
I liked the Bigfoot launcher - those four D cells provided quite a bit of punch.
|
#12
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
The other problem we found was that, prior to Solar ignitors, 6V was not very reliable, unless you had the recommended "photo flash" batteries. But with only 4 ordinary D-cells, the old "Astron" ignitors were pretty lame. Bare nichrome wire worked better, so well in fact that we started using that exclusively back in the day (early 70's). Our standard setup back then was the Electro-Launch pad modified to work off a 12V car battery (via the car battery kit available from Estes). That combined with the bare nichrome was very reliable. FWIW. Doug .
__________________
YORF member #11 |
#13
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
You should heed his last statement on that thread #80. For those who don't know Bill Spad personally, PM him. He may tell you more more privately.
__________________
Patriot 464 CMASS MMMSClub.org NAR #92766 |
#14
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
Agree with you there... Estes is wandering back into high MPR/low HPR territory and all they have are the dinky bell wire and penlight/pocket radio batteries controllers?? Rather disappointing IMHO... Later! OL JR
__________________
The X-87B Cruise Basselope-- THE Ultimate Weapon in the arsenal of Homeland Security and only $52 million per round! |
#15
|
|||
|
|||
Estes is already getting their mid-power motors from Aerotech; why don't they team up with them to make an Estes version of AT's own launch controller? I love mine.
It's heavy duty, uses twelve volts or six, has heavy-duty lamp wire, has a safety interlock and a tone...what's not to like? Allen |
#16
|
||||
|
||||
Agreed. Estes should sell a re-labeled AT controller. At Hobby Lobby would be good with a 40-50% off coupon !
__________________
When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!! Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't ! Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY. ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, and HAVOC ! |
#17
|
||||
|
||||
Okay - LOVE the Astron Sprint XL (even though I already built one), and I'm happy to see the altimeter. And I think my daughters will get a kick out of the crayons.
I would love to see a return of the normal-sized Astron Sprint, and Porta-Pad (I had a porta-pad II for a decade until someone borrowed it - very nice and solid!), and Big Foot. I'm not a fan of the current launch-pads, they seem a little marginal.
__________________
John Adams "There is a lot of rocketry under 20ns" |
#18
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
I've built a pad that serves my needs well - it's sturdy. And tall, so I don't have to bend over It's been described as "an old man's pad" Anyway, I've always felt the controllers and pads - all used in starter sets - were kinda flimsy. So I built my own pad to my liking. But, despite my thoughts otherwise, I use a mix of several different Estes and Quest controllers. After extending the wires a bit, and adding connections for external batteries, they do the job well enough that I've never gotten around to getting something fancier or more robust. Doug .
__________________
YORF member #11 |
#19
|
||||
|
||||
Yeah - after my Porta-Pad II vanished, I tried the new pad with the lightning legs and really did not like it. So, I talked my father-in-law into building me a Tilt-a-pad in his wood shop
Been pretty happy with it so far. My controller is an Estes "E" controller with an LED continuity lamp and an adapter for lantern batteries.
__________________
John Adams "There is a lot of rocketry under 20ns" |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|