[ARTS] Ground testing ARTS2

[Jeff Mensch]

Hi Mark,

I bought a new ARTS2 for my L3 attempt in November and wanted to test it 
prior to the big launch. The simplest idea seemed to be a test flight in 
a smaller rocket. I use an H motor so that it would only go to 2000 feet 
and I could see all the flight events. The first charge when off 
perfectly at apogee just as the rocket arced horizontal, and the main 
came out as expected at 500 feet. Not exactly a ground test but I feel 
confident flying it in my L3 now.

Jeff


Mark Grant wrote:
> I am new to this list and have not flown an ARTS unit before.
> I have an ARTS2 and plan to fly it in a minimum diameter N project at  
> LDRS.
> I have not used an accelerometer before.
>
> I usually ground test all electronics before a maiden flight.
> Altimeters are tested in a vacuum chamber.
>
> I have attached ematches, powered up, got the correct 3 tones then  
> the ascending tone. Pulling a vacuum does no good as the  
> accelerometer does not sense lift off. Swinging in an arc causes  
> cessation of the 3 tones and I assume I am then armed. Then I place  
> in the vacuum chamber and pull a vacuum.  Neither charge goes off  
> when I release the vacuum. I assume that this is because apogee is  
> not sensed by the accelerometer. Also no altitude is beeped out.
>
> Has anyone figured out how to ground test this unit in a vacuum chamber?
> Somehow testing it attached to my computer just does not seem the same.
> Give up and just fly it?
>
> Mark Grant
>
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