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Silent Jack

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Posts posted by Silent Jack

  1. The parts will be in the tube where the rocket motor is fired.  The male side will hold the ignitor and is intended to be reloadable.  While the female side is part of the launching fixture.  These are small rocket motors.  The outer diameter of the assembled rockets will be between 0.75" and 1.25" including fuselage.  I don't imagine the heat exposure would be very long, and each tube is used only once per display, so there is lots of cool down time.  If the male side was cheap enough, I'd consider it expendable, but would prefer reuseable.  The female side will remain part of the system, presumeably indefinitely.

  2. Not that it makes much difference, but it is for remotely launching model rockets.  The data I've looked at so far says you need about 9-12V @ 1A to make the electric ignitors work correctly.  And I've found a convenient, safe way to do it.  Trying to find parts to fit the bill.  Any other enthusiasts?

  3. The attached picture is of the diagram I am lableling pertaining to the modifications I am making so far.  It is incomplete.  I am still translating and adjusting.  I have to give credit to the design's author rwilsford, who shared it.  I have been cross referencing with other open and basic designs, along with datasheets to adapt it.  Sadly, there still is a good bit I feel I don't understand as well as I should like.

    post-45093-14279144189872_thumb.jpg

  4. Been trying to work on a prototype for a simpler project that needs a couple of power plugs.  Looking for plugs rated 9-12V @ 1A.  Round preferable.  One is to connect to either a backplane and could be flanged to screw on, or be surface mount to PCB; I prefer this to be female.  The other comes from a wire.  It needs to be only 2 conductors and I would prefer metal for heat tolerance in this application.  Approximately 1/2" diameter would be fine, certainly less that 3/4".  I figured this would be simple and easy to find on any of the major parts supplier's websites, but have found their search abilities and organization near impenetrable and extraordinarily frustrating.  I don't have a background in electrical engineering and thus am unfamiliar with classification codes/terminology.  Any help in finding either an easier to use supplier site, or actually locating usable parts would be greatly appreciated.

    PS: I am trying to keep the cost down as much as possible.  Like most hobbyist tinkers, my budget is pretty small.

  5. Its supply is from either a 12V or 14.8V battery, I'm leaning towards the 14.8V.  The capacitor bank that the PS is supposed to charge is 2x 400V 470uF capacitors in parallel for 400V 940uF.  Am I misunderstanding, I thought the PS MOSFETs/IGBTs would need to match the capacitor voltage, do they instead need to match the battery?  Or rather are there different segments?  They are for switching, correct?

  6. Is it better to use an overated component or should they match more closely?  (For example: My circuit will likely operate at 400V and 5-6A or so, should I use a 400V 5/6A MOSFET or IGBT, or would it be better to use say a 500V 10A model?)  I prefer to make things as efficient and durable as possible, but must also maintain a low price.

  7. What are peoples' feelings on IGBTs vs MOSFETs in SMPS applications?

    Also, I figure I can control device activation with a lower voltage/amperage switch in front of the battery, but what about the actual capacitor bank discharge control?  I'd like to be able to control it from a microcontroller or PC.  Any recommendations on this segment.

  8.   I'm finally beginning to isolate some of the specific components based on a shared schematic I found online slowly adapting it to my specific application.  As I figure it out, I plan to ask more specific questions in an effort to optimize the design for my application. 
      One question that has definitely come to mind is do any of you know a good IC for switching a device like this via a PC or microcontroller, such as an arduino?

  9. I see the 555 has 3 different modes.  Looks like this application calls for it to operate in the Astable mode.  Is the purpose of the oscillation to create a particular wave form or is it for pulse generation?  Also does it inherently create a given frequency in this mode?  One of the calculators I have includes frequency as part of the equation, and you mention it as well.

  10. I see you are highly rated HERO.  In a supply for a 400V 970uF capacitor bank powered by either a 12V or 14.8V battery, is there a particular IC that you would recommend?  Also, what is the best way to determine what ratings of other components are needed.  I have already obtained a few low level calculators and have been pouring over a host of equations trying to work various conversions backwards to obtain some needed values.  Perhaps your experience might suggest some?

  11. The instructables website has a project that works on this premise.  I believe it was designed for 120vac, however the stepper/converter for that is relatively simple, I believe and fairly available.  Likely find that at instructables too.  Also, I believe I saw a video on youtube that combined solar power and battery power on a robot with switching based on power levels.  Should be able to track down the pertinent info that way.  Wish I still had the links to share.  A quick look should find the most critical parts though.

  12. Phooey, had to redesign my project a bunch.  Still a lot I'd like to learn about the basics of power supplies, particularly operating off of a battery pack.  Can anybody suggest a good resource for learning/researching about these, or better still anyone with experience that can share?

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