[roc-chat] Re: Aerotech Motor Hardware
- From: Gregory Lyzenga <lyzenga@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: roc-chat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 17 May 2018 09:12:00 -0700
On May 17, 2018, at 9:05 AM, Chris J Kobel <chris.j.kobel@xxxxxxxx> wrote:
Thanks for the offer Mike. I think I’m good in most cases, but I’ve been
going through 24/40 motor sets pretty quickly.
I have (substantial!) motor reloads dating back to 1996 and I consider it a
personal challenge to try to actually use them with positive results instead
of just destroying them. I’ve experimented with igniter design, enhancement,
and grain preparation in order to get them to light. I’ve been able to do
this successfully about 75% of the time, occasionally after multiple attempts
with the same motor. In a few cases, I’ve blown closures and ruined many an
Estes blast deflector plate, not to mention having to rebuild a few rocket.
Reusing a casing after it has spit a closure is a bad idea, ask me how I
know….
Chris
As a possibly relevant side note, I tried flying an old 24/40 reload at the
last ROC launch and it didn’t go well. I’m not sure exactly how many years old
it was, but there was quite a bit of white exudate on the surfaces of the
grains. I decided to give it a go anyway… It sat on the pad and chuffed for
several seconds, and then with what little propellant was left, it sort of
grunted off the pad and hit the ground before ejection. Ouch. I decided to
dispose of the other old reloads I have.
- Greg
----------------------------------------------------------
Gregory A. Lyzenga <lyzenga@xxxxxxx <
mailto:lyzenga@xxxxxxx>>
Dept. of Physics, Harvey Mudd College (909) 621-8378
<tel:%28909%29%20621-8378>
Claremont, CA 91711-5990 mobile (626) 808-5314
<tel:%28626%29%20808-5314>
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