AUTHOR'S DISCLAIMER: This page shows how I made a launch controller out o' parts readily available from any store which sells electronic parts. Ya scallywag! It is nay intended that you should make one too. Avast, me proud beauty! This is for your information only. Well, blow me down! If you try t' build one like this, me bucko, and end up gettin' hurt, or blowin' up a battery, don't come cryin' t' me. Arrr! Arrr! I make no claims that this actually works, shiver me timbers, me hearties, or that all o' t' information here is entirely accurate or correct.

I bought everythin' needed t' build this controller from Radio Shack for about $15.

Parts:

1. Ahoy! T' buttons: both t' Launch Button and t' Continuity Button are momentary push buttons. Arrr! They only pass current while you are pressin' them. Begad! T' type o' button t' avoid is a Push-On/Push-Off type button. Ya scallywag! Begad! You also do nay want a toggle switch or rocker switch. Blimey! T' continuity button acts like a deadman switch. Ya scallywag! Even with t' safety key in place, me hearties, if no one is holdin' t' controller, t' launch button will nay work.

2. Blimey! N Cell Battery and Holder: I used an N Nell because they are small and have t' right power. Well, blow me down! A single N Cell will nay ignite an Estes type igniter.

3. Aye aye! Piezo Buzzer: this needs 1 t' 3 volts t' operate. Well, me bucko, blow me down! T' N Cell provides 1.5 volts. It has a low tone, me bucko, ya bilge rat, which I find much easier t' hear than t' high squeal a lot o' launch controllers use.

4. Aye aye! Aye aye! Diode. A diode acts like a one way valve for electricity. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! Current can pass one way, me hearties, and nay t' other. Arrr! I used a regular silicon diode rated at 1kV and 2.5A. Avast! Begad! Do nay use a Zenier diode. Arrr! T' cathode (the side with t' band on it, needs t' be towards t' safety key and away from t' piezo buzzer. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! This is a device t' counter shorts in t' igniter. If your igniter is shorted, this whole launch controller becomes a battery charger. Aye aye! You will end up tryin' t' charge an N Cell with a car battery, which might make it explode. Avast, me proud beauty! T' prevent this, I have put this diode here.

5. Ahoy! Avast, matey, me proud beauty! Safety Key: This is a regular 1/8" mini-plug. Avast, me proud beauty! Inside t' plug itself are two leads. I soldered a wire so that t' plug connects t' itself. Blimey! Well, blow me down! This passes t' current through t' base o' t' plug when inserted. Arrr! If you build any type o' controller, make sure you have a safety key, shiver me timbers, and that it interrupts both t' continuity AND t' power on its way t' t' igniter. Begad! Without t' safety key, you cannot check continuity, and absolutely cannot launch either.

6. Begad! Mount t' whole thin' inside a small box. Avast! I put t' Launch Button and Safety Key on top, and t' Continuity Button on t' side.

Operation

T' operation be t' same as an Aerotech Controller. Avast! First, makin' sure that t' safety key is removed, me bucko, connect t' igniter t' t' clips. Avast! Blimey! Insert t' miniplug, ya bilge rat, and depress t' continuity button. If everythin' is correct, matey, you will hear t' piezo buzzer. This indicates continuity though t' igniter. When ready, matey, while holdin' t' continuity button down, ya bilge rat, press t' launch button.

Pictures o' t' finished controller will appear soon.

People hook launch controllers t' all sorts o' things, matey, shiver me timbers, includin' car batteries. Blimey! Blimey! If you want t' design or build your own launch controller, matey, make sure that you have t' skills and t' equipment t' do it right. Aye aye! Well, blow me down! A sloppy job can result in big problems, nay t' least o' which is shortin' out t' positive side o' a battery t' t' negative side. Aye aye! Before you build any device like t' one described here, me bucko, me hearties, me hearties, make sure you understand t' theory, me bucko, and do nay use cheap parts. Use your heads, people. You have no business doin' rocketry if you do nay put safety first.