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Model Forum / General / Rockets / January 2004Estes Controller Conversion
Hello, I'm looking for an on-line version of the conversion for the Estes controller where you bypass the battery compartment and add battery cables. I know how to do it, but I'm trying to help someone else. I've got the hardcopy at home from the NAR guide that arrived in the mail yesterday. That one is close, but I'm looking to just change the bulb and bypass the battery compartment by adding wires that lead to battery clips. ALSO, the person interested tells me that the Estes E controller has a glued on back plate, so it cannot be unscrewed and removed like the regular Electron beam controller. Can anyone verify this? -Fred Shecter NAR 20117 -- """Remove "zorch" from address (2 places) to reply. > I'm looking for an on-line version of the conversion for the Estes controller where you > bypass the battery compartment and add battery cables. I know how to do it, but I'm trying [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > one is close, but I'm looking to just change the bulb and bypass the battery compartment > by adding wires that lead to battery clips. this fits your description, Fred :) "Modification: Estes Industries - 12V Electron Beam Launcher" by Robert Vaughan http://www.rocketreviews.com/reviews/mods/est_electron_beam.html BTW, Estes later came out with a much more powerful launch controller Estes Pro Command Control Launch Controller $36.09 (down from list price of $54.99) at HobbyLinc from http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/est/est2234.htm === Ultimate power for advanced model rocket launches. Can deliver in excess of 100 watts of instantaneous electrical ignition power. Igniter and plug storage. Continuity and arm lights. Arm and launch buttons. Power level indicator. LED launch indicators. Voltage selector switch. Pro Series Logo safety key. Removable spool with 30 feet of heavy gauge twin strand wire. Battery storage compartment. Launch rod cap. Charging jack. External power jack. Power from two 7.2 Volt NiCad packs (not included) or external 12 Volt battery source. === - iz Nope (but thanks for looking). I found that on-line "Siamese" controller already. They have the "E" controller, with the heavier launch wires but it still uses 4 penlight batteries - not good for clusters. They want to convert it to be able to fire clusters. I suggested using a club launch system for clusters or getting the Command Controller if they have to fly on their own. Two ni-cad packs or a custom external cord leading to your car battery work great. -Fred Shecter NAR 20117 http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&userid=shreadvector -- """Remove "zorch" from address (2 places) to reply. > > I'm looking for an on-line version of the conversion for the Estes controller where you > > bypass the battery compartment and add battery cables. I know how to do it, but I'm trying [quoted text clipped - 37 lines] > > - iz Get The Pratt launch controler. It is complete with NiCad battery, and comes with it's own storge case. I wish I had before I built my own in a Sears tool tote (I wound up using one of his batteries anyway !) John > Nope (but thanks for looking). I found that on-line "Siamese" controller already. > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > -Fred Shecter NAR 20117 http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&userid=shreadvector > -- > """Remove "zorch" from address (2 places) to reply. [quoted text clipped - 44 lines] > > > > - iz > Get The Pratt launch controler. It is complete with NiCad battery, and comes > with it's own storge case. I wish I had before I built my own in a Sears > tool tote (I wound up using one of his batteries anyway !) Purchase an auto jumpstart which includes battery/charger and can jump your car if you're the last one at the field or stuck in a bizzard. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=38391 Buy a 12v relay and use the estes on the control side, and just route the jumpstart power through the relay to the igniter clips. > John > [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > > > -Fred Shecter NAR 20117 http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&userid=shreadvector > > -- > > """Remove "zorch" from address (2 places) to reply. [quoted text clipped - 48 lines] > > > > > > - iz I use jumpstart batteries very successfully, with the electron beam controller as modified in the NAR member handbook (with light not buzzer). I have a red unit from overstock.com (Coleman? Prestone?) and another from Central Tractor that allows for endless trickle charging from Century (Centurion?). They both work, though the red one requires useage of a cigarette adapter because the cables are set up to sense a car electrical system and won't power up with my controller. I've flown up to 4 engine clusters and up to G composites with them, and over 40 flights in a day too (max so far at a CPR launch). Tom Ha NAR #76754 Central Pennsylvania Rocketeers Section President rocketha at netscape dot net > > Get The Pratt launch controler. It is complete with NiCad battery, and > comes [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > > > > > > -Fred Shecter NAR 20117 http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&userid=shreadvector > > > -- > > > """Remove "zorch" from address (2 places) to reply. [quoted text clipped - 49 lines] > > > > > > > > - iz << Get The Pratt launch controler. It is complete with NiCad battery, and comes with it's own storge case. >> I also highly recommend the Pratt launch controller. It's a very handy, very reliable piece of equipment and one of the best rocketry investments I've made. > << Get The Pratt launch controler. It is complete with NiCad battery, and comes > with it's own storge case. >> > > I also highly recommend the Pratt launch controller. It's a very handy, very > reliable piece of equipment and one of the best rocketry investments I've made. I also reccomend the Pratt Power Brick. I have had one for over two years now. It launched over a hundred rockets and still worked the next month without a recharge. It also dumps enough current to light five copperheads even when pulling in five automotive style relays. -Chr$ NAR 79538 L1 I do not need a controller. I wanted an online version of the conversion instructions for someone else who was having difficulty understanding my thorough verbal instructions. (I think they need pictures). I have MANY controllers of my own. Regular electron beams, Command Controllers, home made for connection to car, motorcycle or lantern battery (best one able to handle the most amps), Astron, and there's always the club launch systems that run off a car battery (I built the first panel and one of the club members refreshed the wiring/soldering a few years ago and also just built a second panel for additional large pads). The person I'm trying to help is a student. That means they do not have lots of $$$$. They already bought the wrong controller and I'm trying to help them salvage it and make it do what they really intended it to do: fire clusters. The launch leads are fine - it just needs more power and a replacement bulb. That's why I simply wanted an online version of the conversion plans for the Estes Electron Beam Controller. That usually has the battery compartment bypassed (using new wires with battery clips on the ends) and a 12V bulb replacing the 6V bulb. -Fred Shecter NAR 20117 http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&userid=shreadvector -- """Remove "zorch" from address (2 places) to reply. > Get The Pratt launch controler. It is complete with NiCad battery, and comes > with it's own storge case. I wish I had before I built my own in a Sears [quoted text clipped - 72 lines] > > > > > > - iz Thank you for the kind words. Building a launch controller into a Sears tool tote is a great idea! Especially since the extension cord spool can be used for the cable. I had one set up like that for a long time; the wheels finally broke off. I would have made a product out of it, but the durn thing would cost too much to ship. Since my source for nicads dried up in 2002, I've been using 3000 mAh nickel metal hydride cells in my SureFire and RTLS boxes. Twice the punch of the old 1600 mAh packs, and they seem to be just as durable. There is some amazing battery technology out there these days. Someone asked me recently what launch system I use when I'm flying for fun, expecting some super-customized experimental gadget. The truth is I've been using the original prototype RTLS box for the past few years. It was getting pretty beaten up, and finally quit for good at the last Culpeper launch, so I built myself a new one...then sold it when a frantic rush order came in. I've set aside one of the latest batch for personal use, and it DOES have one custom accessory: I built a 12v solar panel into the lid to trickle charge the battery. Doug Pratt www.pratthobbies.com > Get The Pratt launch controler. It is complete with NiCad battery, and comes > with it's own storge case. I wish I had before I built my own in a Sears > tool tote (I wound up using one of his batteries anyway !) > > John > Thank you for the kind words. Building a launch controller into a > Sears tool tote is a great idea! Especially since the extension cord > spool can be used for the cable. I had one set up like that for a long > time; the wheels finally broke off. I would have made a product out of > it, but the durn thing would cost too much to ship. Isn't that the consumer's problem? You are not expecting to sell hundreds, are you? > Since my source for nicads dried up in 2002, I've been using 3000 mAh > nickel metal hydride cells in my SureFire and RTLS boxes. Twice the [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > > > John  SignatureJerry Irvine, Box 1242, Claremont, California 91711 USA Opinion, the whole thing. <mail to:01rocket@gte.net> Please bring common sense back to rocketry administration. Produce then publish. http://www.usrockets.com My articles valuable? Donate http://tinyurl.com/2hmgv >> I'm looking for an on-line version of the conversion for the Estes controller where you >> bypass the battery compartment and add battery cables. I know how to do it, but I'm trying [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >> one is close, but I'm looking to just change the bulb and bypass the battery compartment >> by adding wires that lead to battery clips. If this is Ric Gaff's article, it's probably in a Leading Edge somewhere. You can check our archives on the NIRA web page. > BTW, Estes later came out with a much more powerful launch controller > > Estes Pro Command Control Launch Controller > $36.09 (down from list price of $54.99) at HobbyLinc > from http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/est/est2234.htm Actually a decent launcher. But even at that price, you still need 2 RC car battery packs and a charger, making it nearly a $100 investment. You can do better on your own. Bob Kaplow NAR # 18L TRA # "Impeach the TRA BoD" >>> To reply, remove the TRABoD! <<< Kaplow Klips & Baffle: http://nira-rocketry.org/LeadingEdge/Phantom4000.pdf www.encompasserve.org/~kaplow_r/ www.nira-rocketry.org www.nar.org Save Model Rocketry from the HSA! http://www.space-rockets.com/congress.html |
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