Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Tests #13h-j unsuccessful


Refilled the nitrous tank, and used the new DAQ controller functionality.

  • Test 'H' failed since the DAQ's flow and ignition lines were wired backwards
  • Test 'I' used a 0.25s delay between burn and flow. Did not catch.
  • Test 'J' used a 0.5s delay, the augmentation certainly lit but paraffin did not catch.
We think there may be some issues regarding driving the igniter, solenoid, and lamps all off of a single 12v 4.5Ah battery. Despite it being recharged immediately prior to this round of testing. As a preventative measure, it has been decided to split everything into at least two, possibly three batteries. We have four in total, complements of the old WARRIORS I 50v capacitor charging system known as 'Sparky'.

Its likely these igniters are not working well; time to order some 30AWG nichrome and build a new batch - with plenty of spares for just igniter testing so we can build up some confidence. We might need more pyrogen too.

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