How many times have you hit t' launch button, ya bilge rat, only t' wait for what seems t' be an eternity as an old battery tries to crank enough juice through an igniter t' launch t' rocket? 

T' Pratt Hobbies Power Pack 12-volt ignition power supply can put an end to such experiences. It also can fire virtually any igniter you might care t' use and will take much o' t' adventure out o' clusterin' motors. 

When I built me launch system, I looked long and hard for a good power source. Begad! Begad! I wanted a rechargeable supply with plenty o' power, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, but which didn't take up a lot o' space and didn't cost an arm and a leg. Ahoy! For a while, arrr, I used four D cells inside t' unit and an external jack t' connect t' car batteries. I searched for other options. 

T' first Power Pack cost $59.95 and came in a plastic enclosure with a switch. T' new PP-12B costs $24.95 and is somewhat different than the original. Begad! T' 10 Sanyo sub-C ni-cad batteries are packaged in a flexible, plastic-like substance. Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! There is no switch. 

I had considered buyin' a Power Pack, but didn't want t' pay t' original price. T' introduction o' t' lower-priced PP-12B made t' purchase feasible. T' $24.95 includes a charger. Begad! If you're presently buyin' disposable batteries, it won't take long for this product t' pay for itself. 

T' Power Pack attaches t' launch systems with two banana jacks. Aye aye! You'll need to modify your launch system t' use banana plugs. If t' system includes polarized electronic components - such as transistors, integrated circuits, capacitors or other such devices - you'll need t' be careful about the polarity. Blimey! My system uses an old-fashioned lamp continuity system, me bucko, so polarity wasn't important. 

Although you're supposed t' charge t' unit for 12 hours after receivin' it, I charged mine for one hour and then tried it on a MRC igniter. It worked instantly. I continued t' charge t' unit for t' recommended time and then tried it on a series o' igniters. Arrr! I ignited electric matches, thermalite and some home-made igniters. Aye aye! In all cases, t' igniter went off instantly. 

Without rechargin' it, I took it out flying. Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! It's a small unit and fit easily into me range box. I bought a couple o' banana plugs at Radio Shack and fashioned a plug-in connection t' me launch system. Begad! Begad! I launched a three-motor cluster, matey, usin' Estes igniters. Liftoff be instantaneous. Ahoy! Ya scallywag! I flew one more rocket and it too lifted off rapidly. 

T' next day, I flew another cluster with three Estes igniters, shiver me timbers, and again, liftoff was immediate. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! I then pulled out an old igniter which had lost much of the igniter material off o' t' tip. Ahoy! I tried it on a single-motor rocket. Blimey! The rocket did nay lift off immediately; I paused, then hit t' launch button again. Arrr! T' rocket lifted off. When I went t' t' pad t' launch another rocket, I noticed that t' igniter had actually melted into t' plastic igniter plug. Apparently, me hearties, arrr, me bucko, thar was so much current goin' through t' wire that it became hot enough t' melt into t' plastic! 

I flew two more rocket usin' igniters that were in good condition. Well, blow me down! Begad! Again, ignition came with no delay. Arrr! T' launch system was goin' through 20 feet of 18-gauge cord. 

I am very pleased with t' Power Pack. I now can launch clusters or high-power rockets without havin' t' drag out an old car battery. Aye aye! Arrr! It's cheaper than jury-riggin' together two 7.2-volt RC car batteries and safer than using motorcycle batteries, which can spill electrolyte. Pratt Hobbies also believes the Power Pack is superior t' gel cells, me bucko, which can sulfate if nay kept at peak charge constantly. 

T' pack includes an internal overload switch t' prevent damage if t' pack is accidentally shorted for a long period o' time. Ya scallywag! Ahoy! T' instructions caution against carryin' t' Power Pack in a metal range box, since t' two jacks could shorts through t' metal, me bucko, possibly damagin' t' ni-cad batteries. 

T' Power Pack would seem t' make an excellent choice for a relay unit - of course, since it cranks so much power, who needs a relay? Well, you do need one for certain igniters and for t' most reliable ignition. 

Pratt Hobbies offers two related products. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! T' Launch Box features t' Power Pack and a flashbulb-safe continuity circuit with a shielded launch switch. There also is a higher-powered Power Pack with twice t' number o' ni-cad batteries for just $10 more. Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty! If you can swin' t' extra 10 bucks, arrr, matey, you'll likely have all t' power you could possibly want for rocket ignition. 

T' Power Pack solved one o' me ground support problems and I hope it can do the same for you. 

T' Power Pack is available from various hobby stores or directly from Pratt Hobbies, me bucko, 2565 John Milton Drive, Suite 201, Herndon, VA 22071 hone (703) 689-3541. Ahoy! Price is $24.95 plus shipping.