Added Arcon Hi to my build que and while reviewing the instructions, a question about the staging coupler came to mind. Having used the old "butt and masking tape" staging successfully for years, I wonder if much damage occurs inside the over the mount coupler. Any recommendations are appreciated.

Hi, Bob,

Which instructions are you looking at? Got a link?

Doug

Sorry if I wasn't clear. Heres the link to the Centuri KC-3

http://www.dars.org/jimz/kc-3.htm or http://www.dars.org/jimz/centuri/kc-3b.tif

You'll note that there is a coupler fitting over the engine mounts, where the stages meet, with a hole punched in it. It is not the same as the main St-10 tubing and stage coupler. I am wondering if this step is necessary as I believe that it might be too prone to catching fire or burning through. The old masking tape routine gets replaced every trip.

Thanks for the interest
Bob

Bob, the Long Tom has a similar arrangement and I never had a problem with the coupler getting scorched. However, the passport on that coupler doesn't do much good unless you put holes in the other coupler as well.

__________________
Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati

Bob,

My experience with passport staging is with the Black Widow, which has the coupler on the sustainer. That leads to scorching. The Long Tom/Arcon Hi arrangement makes more sense. Still I would suggest coating the inside of the coupler with CA to minimize damage.

Drew Tomko

I had two original Centuri Stilettos. (Past tense) One pranged when the 2nd stage failed to ignite. The other got lost when the 2nd stage didn't fail to ignite. IIRC, both had a little scorching on the passport coupler on the outside just aft of the ports after a few flights. Inside got a little crusty, but I just rubbed it with a paper towel between flights and it was good to go.

__________________
John Lance Ladd
Yoyodyne Propulsion Systems
Grovers Mill, NJ
Established 1938
lladd.netau.net

Still Unclear

I appreciate your experiences, but still wondering if I should skip this coupler anyway. Seems like a useless expense. The booster st10 coupler would be enough, right? The masking tape connection rarely fails. Unless the thought is to relieve some pressure that might otherwise separate the joint and thwart hot contact staging. Then I would have to agree with Buzz, needs another hole.

Simple enough to add after, if I decide to build without. I'll leave it to my parts box, if I got one - its in.......

Bob,
I agree. The HTC-7CDH coupler is superfluous. The only concern I have is about the spacing between the motors. As long as there's a gap of at least 1/10" or so between the two motors, you should be fine for gap staging. Of course, that assumes you drill vents in the booster airframe, in the vicinity of the forward end of the booster motor.

Conversely, if the motors touch, then just use tape-together staging.

Masking tape? I always use cellophane tape, 1 wrap. I used to always use the satin polyester tape (green label) but was recently turned on to the glossy vinyl tape (red label). It holds a tad longer providing a little extra insurance for lighting the sustainer.

I've never tried masking tape so I can't say it won't work, but all the staging tips I've ever seen say cellophane.

Whether taped or gapped and vented, always scrape the sustainer nozzle to make sure it's clean. A while back, I flew my Edmonds CiCi2 which uses a gap of ~10" (swag). Two successful stagings and one flown away sustainer

Doug

If the engine(s) are directly butted together at launch, I agree using the cellophane tape
method is best. I've flown a two stage, four engine clustered model (eight motors total)
using this method with no failure in flight (except the second stage sailed out of sight, never
to be seen again!). But, if there's a gap or space between the booster and sustainer motors,
then using a passport type staging system is needed. The vent hole(s) in the coupler is to
prevent the pressure of the booster gasses from forcing the two stages apart before the
upperstage motor has the chance to ignite. Hard lesson I learned from my Estes Cineroc/
Omega rocket; the last time I flew this combo the second stage popped from the booster
without ignition, ensuring a lawndart and destroying my Cineroc (1982).

http://www.nasarocketclub.com/gallery/may-21/FH000023

http://www.nasarocketclub.com/gallery/may-21/100B0121

__________________
Dave, NAR # 21853 SR.

Once bitten, twice shy...

I had used cellophane as directed until an "über-Tape" experience cost me the loss of a 2 stage Centuri Excalibur. "...as the fireball tumbled towards earth, I was comforted by the sure knowledge that Jerome Park Reservoir would soothe her torment."

Ever since (twenty something years [30+]) I have been using a wrap of masking tape. Seems to be plenty of hold and even if it gets stuck, thin paper burns through faster than the cellophane.

If you could steer me to the right cellophane or vinyl, Doug, I might give it another try. It will save me trial and expensive error.

Dave, I had presumed that was the case for passport staging pressure issues (separation before ignition).

Thanks all