Model Rocket Launch Controller

Description:

Most commercial rocket controllers available t' buy are either expensive or do nay have many features. Avast! Ahoy! After a lot o' searchin' I found nothin' that met me needs. Ahoy! I wanted a controller that could work multiple pads, as well as bein' easy t' set up and pack away, me hearties, so I designed me own. It has t' ability t' control up t' 8 pads through a 6 core cable. Avast, me proud beauty! You may want t' be able t' disconnect all your units. Well, blow me down! Arrr! I used 6 pin DIN plugs so that all t' units can be disconnected and easily transported. Begad! Begad! I wont go into details o' how this works yet, although it is very useful as this type o' cable is used in alarm systems and can be purchased cheaply. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! Each pad unit has a two sockets for signal input and output, arrr, with t' input t' t' first pad unit comin' from t' controller. Begad! Any other units are then daisy chained t' t' first pad box. Well, blow me down! Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! T' controller also has a built in launch countdown controller, me hearties, although this does have a bypass switch t' use t' controller in normal mode. On me controller I also added an accessory socket so that a large display can be connected t' display t' countdown sequence, shiver me timbers, although this is nay included on t' schematic t' simplify t' circuit. Ya scallywag! Begad! T' main controller can also contain a rechargeable battery, although this does nay have t' be included. Nay all features o' me controller are shown on t' circuit diagram, arrr, although you can easily add your own t' suit your needs. Begad! Below are a few pictures o' t' controller unit:

Notes:

Eight LED's are used t' indicate t' pad currently selected. Aye aye! These LED's are connected t' a decade counter, shiver me timbers, which sequences t' LED's when it receives a clock pulse.Only one LED can be lit at a time from t' decade counter, me bucko, matey, so although this circuit contains many LED's only a small drain us placed on t' battery. Avast, me proud beauty! T' clock pulse for t' decade counter is generated by a 555 timer. Begad! Although wired as an astable circuit, me hearties, me bucko, t' 555 timer also has a push switch attached betwixt pins 2 and 6. Arrr! T' pad selected will change each time t' switch is pressed, although if t' switch is held down t' LED's will smartly sequence, allowin' you t' change which pad unit you are usin' much quicker. T' speed o' this clock pulse can be changed by varyin' t' 1K resistors on t' 555 timer. Avast! Clock on t' pad selectin' decade counter is also connected t' one o' pins t' output connector. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! This means that every time t' counter in t' controller advances, matey, t' counter in each pad unit does t' same. Avast! Ya scallywag! That way you can have each pad unit wired t' a certain output o' t' counter, shiver me timbers, and it will only listen t' its correct signal. Ya scallywag! T' countdown timer also works in a similar way although without t' switch t' advance t' counter. On t' countdown circuit t' enable input o' t' counter is connected t' output 7, shiver me timbers, makin' t' sequence stop when it reaches t' last LED. Ahoy! Output 7 is also wired t' t' launch line t' fire t' rocket when t' count finishes. T' launch select switch will either power t' countdown circuit or t' give power t' t' launch line directly when t' launch switch is pressed, arrr, arrr, dependin' upon its position. Aye aye! LED's are used t' indicate launch, me bucko, continuity and armed. Arrr! Begad! Each pad will give a continuity output, although only when that pad is selected. Begad! Therefore, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, only one continuity LED is necessary. Dependin' on t' components used it is possible t' obtain a continuity current o' below 5mA, suitable for most ignitors. Ahoy! Avast! A reset output is also given t' ensure all counters are in sync with each other, shiver me timbers, although every time a pad unit is pugged in t' whole unit should be turned off and then back on. Ahoy! This ensures all t' counters are workin' together, as if they were out o' sync t' incorrect rocket may be launched. T' block diagram below does nay show all t' features o' t' controller although does give a brief outline o' how t' whole unit goes together:

Below be t' circuit diagram for t' main controller:

CLICK TO ENLARGE

T' circuit diagarm for t' pad unit is very simple. Arrr! Aye aye! Six input lines receive t' signals from t' main controller. Arrr! Well, blow me down! I don't think I need t' explain this part o' t' circuit in detail, shiver me timbers, arrr, although I will mention a few things. Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! Firstly make sure that t' relay you choose can handle t' current from your battery launchin' t' ignitor. Ahoy! Don't think that just because you only have a 1Ah battery that be t' most current that will ever flow. Begad! Arrr! A 1A battery will be able t' source a current much higher than one amp, arrr, although only for a short period o' time. Arrr! Secondly please take note that launch + and launch - be t' power from a seperate lead acid or other type o' battery t' launch t' rocket. Avast! You can't use t' same battery as t' one powerin' t' main controller unit, me bucko, me bucko, as when t' ignitor is fired t' battery is shorted. This would then turn off t' controller unit and then subsequently turn off t' pad unit you are tryin' t' launch with. Begad! Also, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, each pad unit should have a different address. T' change this just connect it t' a different output o' t' decade counter. For example, for pad unit 3 any wires connected t' output 0 on t' decade counter in t' pad unit circuit would be connected t' output 2 instead.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

You will need t' construct this circuit on veroboard or some other form o' stripboard. As usual, all IC's should be placed into holders t' prevent any damage when soldering. T' pinouts shown on t' schematic for t' NE555 timer are correct, me bucko, ya bilge rat, although t' pinouts for t' 4017B decade counter are shown below:

Not all pins on t' decade counter are used. Blimey! Begad! All pins on t' circuit diagram correspond t' t' pinout diagram above. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me proud beauty! Finally I have included a charger circuit. Blimey! I seperated this from t' circuit diagram as it is only optional, and t' circuit diagram is shown below:

T' square block is a voltage regulator, t' LM317T. Ya scallywag! This should be mounted on a suitable heatsink t' make sure it doesn't overheat. Arrr! Then again, as t' above charger is only low current a heatsink may nay be necessary. Use your own judgement and decide whether or nay you will need a heatsink. Avast, me proud beauty! T' switch shown is t' turn t' charger on and off. Aye aye! For t' chargin' input just use some form o' DC adaptor. Arrr! Here is a pinout diagram o' t' LM317T voltage regulator:

I only recommend buildin' this circuit if you have experience with electronics, ya bilge rat, as it is fairly complexed for beginners. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! This circuit is correct t' t' best o' me knowledge, although it is always best t' breadboard any circuit before makin' it. Ya scallywag! T' use o' different components such as optoisolators may result in t' circuit operatin' differently, shiver me timbers, matey, and you may find a few changes need t' be made t' get t' circuit workin' perfectly.

Final EMRR Submission Notes:

As mentioned on t' description, it might take a bit o' tinkerin' t' get everythin' workin' smoothly as things vary with t' exact parts you use, arrr, matey, for example t' OptoIsolators, me bucko, although both I and a friend have managed t' construct this system and have it fully workin' usin' t' schematics provided.