First Flight Version 1.0
Printed: 1/26/2008
Cluster Ignition, Single Parachute Deployment at Apogee Using Two Batteries
One battery powers the computer and the other powers the Pyro Ports.
In the Cluster mode the unit fires the cluster motor (or motors) as soon as it detects and confirms
launch. This occurs approximately 0.5 seconds after the first movement of the rocket. There is also
a delay factor from the time the igniter fires until the time the motor (or motors) actually ignite. See
your motor manufacturer for more information on this delay.
To Set Up the On-Board Hardware
1.
Install a shunt plug into the safety shunt JP1/3.
2.
Install your SD card in its socket.
3.
Make sure the small JP2 jumper connector, located next to the shunt plug, is
IN
.
4.
Pull the small jumper connector off the JP7 twin pin jumper.
Your flight computer is now enabled up for high pyro current, which is required when you use the
HCX for any flight involving staging or clustering.
To Wire the Pyro Ports
1.
Wire your main chute firing device to the
Apogee
terminals (TB1 pins 5/6).
2.
Wire your cluster-motor firing device to the
Cluster/Stage
terminals (TB1 pins 3/4).
To Wire Up Your Power Connection
1.
Wire a 9 volt battery for the computer to the CBatt terminals (TB2 pins 5/6) making sure
your polarity is correct.
2.
Wire a second battery, in the 9 to 15 volts range, for the pyro ports. Attach it to the PBatt
terminals (TB1 pin 1/2) making sure your polarity is correct.
To Test the Setup
After all the devices are hooked up, you can test the system. Make sure the shunt plug is correctly
installed and then power the HCX on. The beeper will:
1.
Emit one long beep. – The battery is OK and the Cluster/Stage jumper JP7 is set to Cluster mode.
2.
Emit one beep. – The Cluster/Stage firing device has continuity.
3.
Emit one beep. - The Apogee firing device has continuity.
4.
Emit two beeps. – Nothing is connected to the Low Altitude terminals.
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