Pratt Hobbies RTLS Module 1

Pratt Hobbies - RTLS Module 1

Contributed by Todd Moore

Manufacturer: Pratt Hobbies
(Contributed - by Todd Moore - 04/16/04)

I just got me new Pratt Hobbies Remote Tankin' and Launchin' System (RTLS-M1), me bucko, and have been lookin' it over. Ya scallywag! I have seen and used them countless times before, but I have never looked them over in great detail. Blimey! Now that I have me own, I wanted to give Doug some credit he deserves for a very professional product. Arrr! (Picture courtesy o' Pratt Hobbies)

RTLS Pic

T' system is built into a very nice gasket sealed toolbox. Begad! T' box is heavy duty, with a rubberized handle and a top compartment with solid lockin' clips. This compartment is just t' right size for holdin' t' things you will need out at t' pad. Begad! Ahoy! Blimey! Hybrid flyers might for example, keep quick-lok fittings in there along with an adjustable wrench. T' heart o' t' system is constructed into t' bottom o' t' toolbox, ya bilge rat, me bucko, in a sealed compartment. Ya scallywag! Begad! Blimey! T' relay box features a built-in 12v rechargeable battery and a hard-wired voltmeter so you can always know how much power you have on board. Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! T' built in battery really reduces t' amount o' items you have t' drag out into t' field. Arrr! T' panel has connections for t' igniter leads, matey, Fill and Dump solenoids, me bucko, arrr, ya bilge rat, t' battery charger, me hearties, and t' remote control. Ya scallywag! Blimey! There is also a switch t' go betwixt arm and safe mode, ya bilge rat, and a momentary button for activatin' t' voltmeter. Switchin' to 'arm' mode activates a continuity buzzer if you have a complete ignition circuit, shiver me timbers, and readies t' unit for operation. Begad! Blimey!

100 feet o' wire is supplied with t' system, and connects t' relay box to the hand held remote control. T' control features a momentary safety switch, an ignition switch, and a 2-way rocker switch t' control solenoids; press up for 'fill', ya bilge rat, and down for 'dump'. Arrr!

Also included with t' basic system are t' igniter leads, matey, extra igniter clips (with banana style plugs on t' end - solder free), t' battery charger, and a 12v light bulb testin' tool for doin' system diagnostics. Ya scallywag!

T' RTLS manual is well written, ya bilge rat, expertly put together, complete with great info on t' whole RTLS system, matey, various hybrid motor systems, matey, as well as links to other very good hybrid information and resources. Ya scallywag!

T' beauty o' t' RTLS is that you can buy t' basic system and have an awesome tool for launchin' solid rocket motors. Arrr! If you want t' move into U/C valve Hybrid rocket motors, matey, arrr, just add a N20 tank, arrr, get t' valve manifold package from Pratt, matey, add them t' t' RTLS that you have, and you are ready t' fly. Well, blow me down! To step up t' pyro-free hybrid motors, arrr, add a GOX tank, shiver me timbers, arrr, t' Pratt GOX box, shiver me timbers, and attach them that t' your growin' RTLS system. You can even use t' Pratt system for launchin' t' bigger L and M hybrids by addin' t' Pratt Longwire system. Ahoy!

Summin' up, arrr, Doug has a great product here that he should really be proud of. It is engineered with ease o' use, shiver me timbers, durability, arrr, and expandability in mind. Well, blow me down! In my opinion, is one o' t' best values in hobby rocketry, and it's very likely that you will never outgrow it. Begad! 5 o' 5!

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5

Comments:

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W.T.M. (May 4, 2009)
This is a nice launch box. It no longer features an internal rechargeable battery, you must provide an external battery. While this is a good box for cluster (or any other "high current" ignition need), it shines when combined with remotely operated valves for hybrid operations.

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