From: jack@rml.UUCP (jack hagerty)
Newsgroups: rec.models.rockets
Subject: Re: 'Tiger tail' igniters
Keywords: igniters
Date: 26 Aug 92 17:12:59 GMT
Reply-To: jack@rml.UUCP (jack hagerty)
Organization: Robotic Midwives, Ltd.

In article <wcsbeau.714785260@cunews> wcsbeau@alfred.carleton.ca (OPIRG) writes:
>I was in a local hobby shop today, and I was browsing through the
>non-Estes section that was recently added.  Most or all of this
>equipment is made by another company who's name I forget, but (I
>belive) may be Canadian-based.  

OK, I'll bite on this one.

The name of the company is "Quest Aerospace Education, Inc." and
they're not Canadian, but Arizonian. The company is headed by
Bill Stine (Harry's son) and they have a ton of model rocket talent
on board. Their mission, as I near as I can tell, is to make kits
a little jazzier and a little better than Estes, then undercut them
by 20%. They are also really pushing the education aspect (as is
evident in their name) and have whole packages of educational kits
and cirruicula at significant discounts for qualified educators. Most 
of this education stuff isn't in the catalog you can pick up at the 
store or that you get if you send in the cupon in the kit; it has to 
be requested directly.

>For sale were packages of "Tiger-tail
>Igniters" (or something like that), which (from the back of the
>package) appear to consist of a copper wire, coated at one end with
 [etc.]
>How do they work? is the wire actually two strips insulated from each
>other with a standard igniter (nichrome, whatever) wire embedded in
>the chemically-coated end, or is heat generated between the clips
>simply conducted downd the wire into the chemicals at the engine end?
>(This seems a little unlikly).

You were right the first time. The "Tiger Tail" is a junior version of 
the  Aerotech "Copperhead" ignitor. It consists of two pieces of copper 
foil separated by a mylar (I think) insulator. This is laminated thus 
very thin. Up at the top is the resistance element under the pyro coating.

>I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone about how [well] these
>igniters work.

Well, my experience has been mixed. The reason for the tape strip is
that you must attach each clip to only one side of the copper. The 
regular micro or aligator clips would obviously short out if just
clipped onto the foil. The holes in the tape strip offer one side
of the copper for attachment and the other to insulate the other jaw.

I have an Aerotech launch contoller (which has a platic clip with
offset contacts specifically designed to attach to this type of
ignitor) and have had no problem using the "Tiger Tail" with it.
However, the first time I tried to use the tape strip was at NARAM
when I flew my Patriot. As C.D. will attest (as he was the one
pushing the button repeatedly) we just couldn't get the thing to
fire dispite several attempts and even changing pads. I finally stuck 
an Estes "Solar" ignitor in it (still a Quest motor, though) for flight.

Embarassing footnote. After the textbook flight on a Quest motor, 
who should walk up for a look but Vern Estes! Gathering up all the
chutzpah (sp?) I could, I had him autograph it anyway!

- Jack


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