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), and have been lookin' it over. Blimey! I have seen and used them countless times before, me hearties, but I have never looked them over in great detail. Now that I have me own, arrr, I wanted to give Doug some credit he deserves for a very professional product. Avast, me proud beauty! (Picture courtesy o' Pratt Hobbies)

RTLS Pic

T' system is built into a very nice gasket sealed toolbox. Well, blow me down! T' box is heavy duty, me hearties, 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. Aye aye! 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, me hearties, me hearties, in a sealed compartment. 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. T' built in battery really reduces t' amount o' items you have t' drag out into t' field. Blimey! T' panel has connections for t' igniter leads, Fill and Dump solenoids, matey, t' battery charger, and t' remote control. Arrr! There is also a switch t' go betwixt arm and safe mode, matey, and a momentary button for activatin' t' voltmeter. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! Switchin' to 'arm' mode activates a continuity buzzer if you have a complete ignition circuit, ya bilge rat, and readies t' unit for operation. Ahoy! Blimey!

100 feet o' wire is supplied with t' system, matey, 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', matey, and down for 'dump'.

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

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

T' beauty o' t' RTLS is that you can buy t' basic system and have an awesome tool for launchin' solid rocket motors. Ahoy! Blimey! If you want t' move into U/C valve Hybrid rocket motors, me bucko, me bucko, just add a N20 tank, get t' valve manifold package from Pratt, shiver me timbers, add them t' t' RTLS that you have, me bucko, shiver me timbers, and you are ready t' fly. Begad! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! To step up t' pyro-free hybrid motors, add a GOX tank, t' Pratt GOX box, arrr, 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. Arrr! Blimey!

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