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Monday, May 4, 2020

Fixing The Estes Launch Controller, Part 4





From the charger cable fix link from the last post:
I grabbed an old ball point pen with the spring over the top end of the ink barrel.
To get the spring started over the lead wire, the top of the spring was opened up slightly.
This took two tries to get right so be patient -
On the left is how not to get the spring around the wire.

The right shows the wire being surrounded by the spring. Be sure the open end of the spring is continuing around the wire. The opened end of the spring faces down toward the controller box.
You'll have to spin the spring quite a few times to reach the end.


You could cut off the micro clips, slip on the spring and re-solder the clips back on, but this way seemed easier.
On the left the spring is completely over the red wire.
In the right, I lifted out the relief knot and slid the spring close to the knot. I didn't turn the spring into the plastic box, but simply pressed the wire and spring end inside the exit hole area.




Here's the finished fix!

As mentioned before - 
Don't wrap the thin red wires tight around the plastic controller box.
Roll in loose loops keeping the wire at the exit hole without a sharp bend and tension free!

5 comments:

  1. Very good tip. I used heat shrink tubing but a relief spring is used on many microphone and guitar cables.

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  2. ... and in answer to anybody who might ask where to get one of these springs without sacrificing a (retracting) ballpoint pen...
    https://www.ballpoint-pen-springs.com/
    (who would've thought there would be such a website?)

    The other potential use for such springs might include to add "shock absorber" landing gear on some models such as the Mars Snooper II, or Starship Vega, and on static display models the Space:1999 Eagle Transporter)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Naoto,
      The spring website would be a good source for small springs. They are a little expensive though. It'd be cheaper to buy 10 cheap pens at an office supply store!

      Delete
  3. A hint regarding looping cords -- "figure-8" loop
    https://youtu.be/buVUvnM_AzU?start=102

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Naoto,
      Good tip! That figure 8 wrap reminds me of how I used to roll my trick ropes when I was trying to be a "show" cowboy. You never wanted to roll twists in the ropes.

      Delete