3-engine Cluster Ignition
 

rd: I HAVE A 40+ INCH "HOME DESIGN" AND HAVE ASKED A LOT PEOPLE ABOUT IGNITORS. wHAT COMES WITH THE ESTES ENGINE? iS IT A "SOLAR IGNITOR"? MOST HAVE SAID A 12 V SYSTEM, A "CLIP WHIP," (KEEP ENGINES WIRED IN PARALLEL); & NEW MOTORS, AND SHOULDN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS. oNLY OTHER THING i PLAN ON DOING IS EXTENDING LENGTH OF IGNITORS. wHAT DO U THINK? hAVEN'T LAUNCHED IT IN OVER 20 YEARS? :eek:

Yes, they are basically solar igniters.

If the motors are close enough together, I've had good success with just twisting the leads together on both two and three motor clusters, making sure the igniters end up wired in parallel. Then I just clip the controller leads to the twisted igniter leads as usual.

And yes, use a 12 volt launch controller.

Also, um, please don't type in all caps. It hurts my eyes.

Attention old people:

As semi-vaguely-stated on TRF, please stop telling newcomers to use "Solar Igniters". They were not flying model rockets in the 1970's and have not seen the term "Solar Igniter". Estes stopped using that trade name decades ago.

Just say "Estes Igniters" if you want to instruct newbies about the standard low-power igniters that Estes sells for and includes with their motors.

I'm 49 , but I know better.:p :D ;)

If you want to know more about clustering, call Estes customer service dept (1-800-525-7561 X-216) and ask for a copy of the instructions for the 2192 Thunderstar and the 2119 36 D Square kits.
the instructions will shed some light on clustering.

Here's an old TR for clustering......

Or here:

http://www.esteseducator.com/content/publications.php

It is #14 (along with some other good stuff).

3- engine cluster
 

Didn't know typing in "caps" would stir up so much contravercy. For all those with "sore eyes," here u r. Don sent me an old estes TR-6 report on clustering. It shows how a "clip whip" is made. Interesting part is "2sets of 3 clips each." Sure is a lot of wire. Another report was sent, showing a short cut. simply twist three leads/ 1/2igniter together in middle. so 1 launcher lead hooks up here. The rest of the clip whip has two more alligator clips. simply twist remaining igniter 1/2s together, for a total of 3. Problem I found is, estes igniers very fragile. Just ordered 6 Q2 igniters, which r much stronger with the glass bead. Will post results of 1st launch in 25 years here, in a few weeks. Want to try and video tape too.
As far as fin design goes, this too has stirred up some interest. Not sure I want to "kit it," as some have suggested. This design is so unique I've never seen it on any design. I guess what I'm asking is a vote. If enough people respond, I'll draw up plans and just post for all those interested in building an "off-set" fin set. This config does a 180 degree roll and has two "outboard jato boosters."
So lets hear from you, OK? ;)

This is a 95% BAR forum, thusly the vast majority of those on the site know what "Solar Igniters" are.
At any rate, if the one posing a question happens to be a newbie, they would ask what is a Solar Igniter and would get a small history lesson.

Sounds interesting and cool,... you have my vote!

As an aside, what's the difference between a "solar igniter" and the old "Astron igniters"? My original launch kit I got when I was 12 had the "solar launch controller" and thus used "solar igniters". I think I remember reading that the Astron were only good for 12V systems, but the solar could/can do both, and so I'm curious why they sold both for a time? Was it simply to let supplies run out?

-Tim