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Launch Equipment
Modifying an Old Style Estes launcher to work off a car
battery
Supplies Needed
- Look at photo
- Open up back of controller by removing the 2 screws.
- Solder speaker wire (Blue wire in pic) in bay that
normally holds the 3 AA batteries, wire should connect the two metal
contacts
- Drill 2 small holes in side of the controller where
you see the two green wires exit.
- Insert ends of wire through holes in bay where single
AA battery would be.
- Solder wires to each to metal contact at each end of
the battery bay.
- Close back of controller.
- The alligator clips will now clip on to the bolts that
hold the battery cables to the car battery. Note: You may want longer wire
with alligator clips than show in picture. We attach the green clips to
15ft. of speaker wire that have alligator clips that clip to the car
battery.
- Also if you are launching a cluster of (2) D's or (1)
E or anything larger be sure that the distance from the launcher to the pad
is at least 30 feet per the Model Rocket Safety Code. You may have to
use the extra speaker wire and extend the leads.
- Get rocket ready to launch, clip splitter on to
igniters, THEN go the car and connect the alligator clips to the battery.
Finally put in the “key” to make the light go on. It will be VERY bright. Do
a quick countdown (from 5 down), hold down the launch button ONLY for a
second. The engines will ignite almost immediately as the car battery has
tremendous current. If the engines don’t ignite, you don’t have a good
electrical connection. Check the wiring. DO NOT LEAVE THE ALLIGATOR CLIPS
ON THE CAR BATTERY. DISCONNECT IMMEDIATELY AFTER LAUNCH. YOU DON’T WANT TO
SHORT OUT YOUR CAR BATTERY BY ACCIDENT.
We make no warranties and you
modify the launch controller at your own risk.
Splitter for igniting 2 engines simultaneously
Supplies Needed
- Use (2) 12’ long pieces of speaker wire. Study photo
at right.
- Attach (2) small alligator clips on one end of each
pair of wires.
- Solder the alligator clips on.
- Speaker wire typically has one gold color wire and one
silver color.
- Twist other ends together (gold to gold and silver to
silver) and solder.
Or this can be purchased from us for only $6.99 + shipping
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