Loki Research 38mm Reload System

Loki - 38mm Reload System {Motor}

Contributed by Lance Alligood

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Manufacturer: Loki

Brief:
T' Loki Research 38/480 motor casin' and I405 reloads are perhaps t' highest performance t' lowest cost ratio o' commercial 4-grain 38mm motors available on t' market. Begad! Aye aye! Blimey! If you are lookin' for colored flame reloads, then Loki Research motors may nay be for you. Arrr! Ya scallywag! Blimey! Jeff Taylor o' Loki makes no excuses about his products deliverin' nothin' but t' highest performance and motor effects be darned...

Construction:
T' motor casin' has more parts than AeroTech or Pro38 hardware. Ahoy! Blimey! Loki Research motors are most notably different because t' graphite nozzle is considered part o' t' motor hardware, nay a disposable part o' t' reload kit. Blimey! Blimey! T' parts list:

  • 1 motor casin' with built-in thrust ring
  • 1 forward bulkhead
  • 1 graphite nozzle
  • 1 stainless steel nozzle washer
  • 2 snap rings

T' reload kit instructions are very thorough and walk you through assemblin' t' reload. Well, blow me down! Arrr! One feature that some folks may or me nay like is usin' snap rings t' hold t' motor together. Begad! It all depends on one's level o' comfort with usin' snap rin' pliers. [SAFETY NOTE: As written numerous times in t' reload instructions, wear eye protection when installin' and removin' t' snap rings from t' motor casing.] Once you get beyond any awkwardness with t' snap rings, arrr, shiver me timbers, I would say that assemblin' t' motor is comparable in difficulty t' assemblin' an AeroTech reload.

Finishing:
T' Loki hardware stands out from t' other commercial brands hardware by comin' in a very rugged and attractive anodized blue.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
T' reloads do nay come with an igniter in t' package. Avast! Blimey! That's nay much I am a big fan o' Quickburst igniters and t' Quickburst Slim Gems fit easily inside t' nozzle and ignite Loki reloads on t' first try. Begad! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! Unlike AeroTech or Pro38 motors, ya bilge rat, thar be no plastic cap that covers t' end o' t' motor and holds t' igniter in place. Arrr! Blimey! (There isn't even a method o' securin' one if you had one.) Therefore, matey, I fold t' igniter leads and use a wrap o' maskin' tape around t' base o' t' motor t' hold t' igniter in place.

I have nay had a chance t' use an I110 reload yet, arrr, ya bilge rat, but t' I405 propellant has a very bright white flame (bigger and brighter than comparable AeroTech White Lightnin' or Pro38 Classic propellant reloads) with enough white smoke t' easily track t' rocket durin' flight.

Recovery:
T' delay is set with a LokiDAT or Cesaroni/Pro38 ProDAT tool. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty! If usin' a ProDAT, t' delays while nay as close as t' Pro38 motors, they do allow a greater time range o' adjustment. Most Loki reloads (the slow burn I110 be t' only exception currently) come with a 17 second delay. Avast! T' LokiDAT allows t' flyer t' shorten t' delay t' 13, me bucko, 10, matey, 8, or 5 seconds. Arrr! I have found t' delay times t' be more than acceptably close t' t' listed times.

T' reload includes 1.5g o' black powder for t' ejection charge. Begad! Blimey! T' ejection well could easily hold another 0.5g under t' plastic cap too. It is recommended in t' instructions t' use some waddin' (or maskin' tape works well) t' ensure that t' BP stays seated against t' openin' t' t' delay grain. 1.5g is quite a bit for most rockets with airframes up t' 4" in diameter so you might nay need or want t' use all o' it.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
If you are lookin' for high performance rocket motors (that happen t' be very affordable too), take a good look at t' Loki Research motors and hardware. Avast, me proud beauty! If you want motors with effects and colors, arrr, ya bilge rat, these aren't for you.

PROs:

  • Easy t' prep and clean up.
  • Reliable, fast ignition.
  • Adjustable ejection delay with LokiDAT (or Pro38 ProDAT) tool.
  • Wide range o' ejection delay times available.
  • Suggested retail for reloads are cheaper than other comparable size reloads from other manufacturers.
  • I405 reloads can ship via USPS without any HazMat fee.
  • There is plenty o' BP included with t' reload for t' ejection charge.

CONs:

  • Requires snap rin' pliers (purchased separately) for assembly/disassembly. Ya scallywag! Wood dowel is needed for disassembly too.
  • Hardware is expensive.**
  • Igniter is nay included with reload.
** - Loki Research has had special offers with various motor vendors where if you purchase 4 reloads o' a certain size (like four I405s), then you get t' hardware free. Avast, me proud beauty! I took advantage o' such an offer for me Loki Research 38/480 motor hardware.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5

Other Reviews
  • Loki Research 38mm Reload System By Douglas Gardei

    Brief: Loki's line of 38mm reloadable motors. Cheapest of the 38mm reloadable options for both hardware and reloads. Currently, only the H144, I405, and J528 loads (Loki White propellant) are available for these motors, but more formulas and motor designations are coming out soon. Construction: Currently available is the Loki 240, 480, and 740 motor. Each motor comes with a quality ...

Comments:

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J.P.C. (July 17, 2005)
I have one word to describe Loki's J528... Awesome! I have flown this motor twice and both times I was amazed at how fast it lifted an 8 1/2 lb. rocket to 2800+ feet. Beautiful white smoke and nice long flame. Jeff Taylor has a winner here.
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J.M. (December 13, 2005)
Simply put, the Loki I405 has the look, feel and sound of a AT J350W (one of my favorites). Just a little shorter burn. What does this mean? Very loud, huge 4' flame, lots of smoke. Great motor at a reasonable price with no HAZMAT fees as well. An awesome level 1 motor.
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L.A. (April 24, 2006)
Important note for anyone who wants to use the I110 reload in the 38/480 case: You MUST have the #16 nozzle (which is the same nozzle as what is used with the 38/240 casing) when using this long burning, single grain reload. This information is clear in the I110 reload instructions but isn't well documented on the Loki website. With the right nozzle though, the I110 is as impressive as any other Loki motor!
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R.J.K. (October 30, 2006)
I have flown the H144 four times so far and have great results. The rocket weighs 3.5 pounds and has an estimated altitude of 2100'. All flights have been nominal and I got my level 1 cert with this engine and rocket. I had one bad experience with the J528. On my first flight with it in a PM Black Brant X it literally blew up, blowing the casing apart at the aft snap ring groove. The rocket fortunately went up about 50' and the engine went through it which deployed the chute. The engine mount changing adapter was destroyed but for the most part the rocket survived. Jeff at Loki was very interested and also supplied me with a new motor and reload under warranty. I had to wait 8 months but flew the Black Brant and J528 to my level 2 cert at the Freedom launch in September 06. Beautiful flight to 3200' and recovery 20' from launch control. I also have his I series in the 110 and 405 configurations and hope to fly them soon. Unfortunately getting Loki stuff down here in Florida is difficult as the local supplier closed up.

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