From: ah157@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Rob Henry)
Newsgroups: rec.models.rockets
Subject: Re: Fuse
Date: 10 Apr 92 00:21:36 GMT
Article-I.D.: usenet.1992Apr10.002136.28387
Reply-To: ah157@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Rob Henry)
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (USA)


In a previous article, cdt@sw.stratus.com (C. D. Tavares) says:

>In article <1992Apr9.174440.8385@usenet.ins.cwru.edu>, ah157@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Rob Henry) writes:
>> Why is it that rocket companies like Estes don't promote fuse as a way to
>> ignite rocket engines?
>
>Because it's against the law in 50 states.  But that's begging the question,
>so read on.
>
>> I've been using it exclusively for over a year now and have had 1 misfire.
>> I read in a book that they are dangerous and unreliable.WHat is dangerous about
>> them?I see using a stupid electric
>> thing 15 feet from the pad as much more dangerous.With a fuse,I can put 6
>> inches or so on,have 30 to 40 seconds to
>> run and get a good view of the rocket in flight.
>
>And while you're 50 feet away, some kid toddles up to your rocket saying, 
>"What's this, mommy?"  And you can't stop it from taking off in his face.
>
>Or nothing happens, and after waiting five minutes, you approach the pad
>only to have it take off in YOUR face.
>
>Or the wind blows over your launch pad, and now it's pointed straight at
>YOU.  Or at the haymow inside the barn door.  Or at the road.
>
>The point of electrical ignition is that you can STOP the rocket from
>taking off whenever you don't want it to take off.
>
>> With an igniter,I have to 
>> stand on top of the pad and can't see sh*t.
>
>So add some wire.  Or invite a friend to push the button.
>
>> Igniters also don't work half of the time
>
>Maybe you abuse your igniters.  I don't have that problem.
>
>> and the batteries also die.
>
>Yeah, if you use drugstore batteries.  A motorcycle gel cell, however,
>will last a long, long time.  Our club uses a gel-cell the size of three
>VHS tapes to launch 120 rockets over six hours, and it comes home at
>about 80% charge.
>
>> For 2 bucks,I can get 10 feet of fuse.That's enough for 30 to 40 launches.
>
>And $200-$500 if the wrong person sees you use it.
>
>> For the same amount I can get 6 igniters,1/3 of which will not work.I guess
>> I see now why they don't promote fuse,they make a killing selling igniters.
>
>Make your own igniters if you must.  All you need is a cheap roll of
>picture-hanging wire, some clear dope, and a ballpoint pen.  A 12V
>battery will fire these like nobody's business.
>-- 
>
>cdt@pdp.sw.stratus.com      --If you believe that I speak for my company,
>OR cdt@vos.stratus.com        write today for my special Investors' Packet...
>



I'm glad some people still have a vivid imagination.First of all,if I have a
misfire I don't go stick my head directly over the rod like an ass and say "
Hey light it again and let me see if it works this time!".
If a little kid does go near it,you can do something called yelling also.
When you launch a rocket,you should anchor the pad using coat hanger hooks to
stick it in the ground with so the wind couldn't knock the pad over.
Also,if it's illegal,why do they sell it in hobby stores all over cleveland?