These instructions also apply to Dr. Rocket motor hardware produced under a license granted by Aerotech.
High-Power RMS™ Assembly and Operation Instructions
READ THIS BEFORE YOU BEGIN:
• Study the illustrations and sequence of assembly.THE SEQUENCE OF ASSEMBLY IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USE. USE RMS™ MOTORS AND RELOAD KITS ONLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL INSTRUCTIONS. Review the parts list and become familiar with all parts before assembly. IF ANY PARTS ARE MISSING OR DAMAGED, CONTACT AEROTECH™ AT 1-702-641-2301.
• DO NOT USE ANY PARTS OF THE RMS™ SYSTEM THAT ARE DAMAGED IN ANY WAY. If in doubt, contact AeroTech™ at the number above for assistance.
• DO NOT MODIFY THE MOTOR IN ANY WAY. Modification of the motor or the reload kit parts could result in motor failure, lead to the destruction of both your rocket and motor and may cause personal injury, death and/or property damage. Modification of the motor or reload kit in any way will invalidate your motor warranty.
• USE ONLY AEROTECH™ RMS™ RELOAD KITS AND MOTOR PARTS TO REFURBISH YOUR RMS™ MOTOR. The AeroTech™ reload kits have been designed specifically for use in your particular AeroTech™ RMS™ motor. Use of imitation components may destroy your motor, rocket and payload and will invalidate your motor warranty. Only use AeroTech™ RMS™ reload kits intended for your specific AeroTech™ RMS™ motor. DO NOT INTERCHANGE PARTS! Do not use AeroTech™ RMS™ reload kits or motor components for any other purpose than to refurbish an AeroTech™RMS™ motor.
• DO NOT REUSE ANY OF THE DISPOSABLE PARTS OF THE RMS™ RELOAD KIT. This includes the liner, nozzle and o-rings. These components have been designed for one use only and must be discarded after firing. Reuse can result in motor failure during subsequent operation and will invalidate your motor warranty.
• Motors are hot after firing. Although the RMS™ operates at a lower temperature than most disposable motors, the higher thermal conductivity of the aluminum motor parts may make it seem otherwise. If necessary to handle a motor before it has cooled down, use a rag or similar article.
• Read and follow the safety code of the Tripoli Rocketry Association (TRA) and comply with all federal, state and local laws in all activities involving high power rockets.
DO NOT OPEN RELOAD KIT UNTIL READY TO USE
PARTS:
RMS™ HARDWARE
29mm aft closure 1
29/60 Case (F37W, F62T) 1
29/100 Case (G54W, G104T) 1
29mm std. or plugged forward closure 1
O-ring grease 1 tube
RELOAD KIT
Nozzle (black plastic part) 1
Liner (1" O.D. paper tube) 1
Propellant grains 1 or 2
Aft o-ring (1/16" thick X 1" O.D.) 1
Forward o-ring (3/32" thick X 1" O.D.) 1
Delay o-ring (3/32" thick X 5/8" O.D.) 1
Delay element (short solid part) 1
Delay insulator (13/16" O.D. tube) 1
Forward & Aft insulators (1" O.D. fiber washers) 2
Delay spacer ring (if supplied) 1 or 0
Ejection charge cap (adhesive paper disk) 1
COPPERHEAD™ igniter 1
Ejection charge container (red plastic cap) 1
ITEMS NEEDED FOR USE:
• Wet wipes or damp paper towels
• Hobby knife or scissors
• Masking tape
SAVE THE RELOAD KIT PLASTIC BAG FOR THE USED RELOAD PARTS. DISPOSE OF BAG AND PARTS PROPERLY.
Chapter 1. Forward Closure Assembly
1-1. Apply a light coat of grease to all threads and all 3 o-rings. This will facilitate assembly and prevents the threads from seizing. NOTE: When all the grease that is supplied with the motor is consumed, use petroleum jelly or similar grease.
1-2. Fig.-1: Hold the forward (black) closure in a vertical position, delay cavity facing up. Insert the delay insulator into the delay cavity until it is seated against the forward end of the cavity. If necessary, wrap a layer of masking tape around the insulator to ensure a snug fit in the cavity.
1-3. Fig.-2: Place the greased delay (5/8" O.D. X 3/32" thick) o-ring into the delay insulator cavity until it is seated against the forward end of the delay cavity.
1-4. Fig.-3: Insert the delay charge into the delay cavity until it is seated against the delay o-ring. Install the delay spacer (if provided) on top of the delay charge. The delay spacer or delay element must protrude above the delay insulator by 1/32" to 1/16". Set the completed forward closure assembly aside.
WARNING: FAILURE TO INSTALL THE DELAY ASSEMBLY CORRECTLY AS SHOWN MAY RESULT IN THE EJECTION CHARGE FUNCTIONING AT THE TIME OF IGNITION OF THE MOTOR, POSSIBLY DAMAGING YOUR MOTOR AND ROCKET.
Chapter 2. Case Assembly
2-1. Fig.-4: Install the propellant grain(s) into the liner. NOTE: Three grains are shown in all illustrations for clarity. RMS-29/60 motors use one (1) grain, and RMS-29/100 motors use two (2) grains.
2-2. Fig.-5: Push the liner assembly into the motor case until it is equally recessed from both ends of the case. NOTE: A light coat of grease on the outside surface of the liner will facilitate installation and casing cleanup after motor firing.
2-3. Fig.-6: Place the forward insulator (1" O.D. fiber washer) into one end of the case until it is seated against the liner.
2-4. Fig.-6: Place the greased forward (3/32" thick X 1" O.D.) o-ring into the forward insulator end of the case until it is seated against the forward insulator.
2-5. Fig.-7: With the motor case held in a horizontal position, thread the forward closure assembly into the forward end of the motor case by hand until it is seated against the case.
2-6. Fig.-8: Place the aft insulator(1" O.D. fiber washer) into the aft (nozzle) end of the motor case, seated against the liner assembly.
2-7. Fig.-9: Insert the larger end of the nozzle into the aft end of the case and against the aft insulator.
2-8. Fig.-10: Place the greased aft (1/16" thick X 1" O.D.) o-ring into the aft end of the motor case, seated in the groove between the nozzle and the case.
2-9. Fig.-11: Thread the aft (gold) closure into the aft end of the motor case by hand until it is seated against the case. NOTE: There will be some resistance to threading in the closure during the last 1/32" to 1/16" of travel. It is normal if a slight gap remains between the closure and the case after tightening.
Chapter 3. Ejection Charge Installation
3-1. Fig.-11: Thoroughly clean the outside of the motor of any grease or other residue. Open the ejection charge container and dispense enough ejection charge (or use FFFFG black powder) into the ejection charge well of the forward closure to fill the well approximately 3/4 full. NOTE: 2.6" dia. and smaller rockets using the AeroTech Labyrinth™ baffle system should only use enough ejection charge to fill the cone portion of the ejection charge well.
3-2. Fig.-12: Apply the ejection charge cap (adhesive paper disk) to the center of the end of the forward closure. With the motor held in a NOZZLE DOWN position, gently shake the motor to settle the ejection charge into the cavity above the delay element. WARNING: DO NOT LOOSEN THE FORWARD OR AFT CLOSURES ONCE THE EJECTION CHARGE HAS BEEN LOADED. Loosening the closures can cause ejection charge to leak under the delay o-ring and can lead to seal failure and premature ejection. If it becomes necessary to disassemble the motor before it is fired, remove the ejection charge, delay element and delay o-ring and reinstall per instructions prior to launch.
Chapter 4. Preparation For Flight
4-1. Fig.-13: Using a hobby knife, cut a corner off the empty ejection charge container to create a nozzle cap with a small (1/16"-1/8") vent hole. Set the nozzle cap aside.
4-2. Fig.-13: Insert the coated end of the COPPERHEAD™ or other igniter through the nozzle throat until it stops against the delay element or forward seal ring.
4-3. Push the nozzle cap over the igniter leads and nozzle until it stops.
4-3a We at Commonwealth Rocketry suggest using masking tape instead of the red plastic nozzle cap. We have found that using this cap MAY cause the copperhead to break causing a "open" and thus will NOT start your motor. We apply pressure on the end of the copperhead then fold it over and tape it with masking tape forming a "X" shape. This method seems to work well for us. As with any of our suggestions, follow them at YOUR OWN RISK.
4-4. Install the motor into the rocket's motor mount tube. Use tape around the motor mount tube/aft closure flange joint, a motor hook or other means to secure the motor into the rocket and prevent it from being ejected at the time of ejection charge firing.
4-5. Prepare the rocket's recovery system and then launch the rocket in accordance with the Tripoli Rocketry Association (TRA) Safety Code and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Code 1127.
Chapter 5. Post-Recovery Cleanup
NOTE: Perform motor clean-up as soon as possible after motor firing. Propellant and delay residues become difficult to remove after 24 hours and can lead to corrosion of the metal parts. Place the spent motor components in the reload kit plastic bag and dispose of properly.
5-1. After the motor has cooled down, remove the forward and aft closures.
5-2. Remove the delay insulator and the delay o-ring from the forward closure and discard. Remove and discard the nozzle and the forward and aft o-rings. Using wet wipes or damp paper towels, remove all delay and propellant residue from the closures. WARNING: FAILURE TO COMPLETELY REMOVE DELAY RESIDUE FROM THE INSIDE OF THE FORWARD CLOSURE CAN LEAD TO GAS LEAKAGE ON A SUBSEQUENT FLIGHT AND DAMAGE TO YOUR RMS MOTOR FORWARD CLOSURE AND ROCKET VEHICLE.
5-3. Remove the liner and forward and aft insulators from the casing by pushing on either end and discard. Using wet wipes or damp paper towels, wipe the inside of the casing to remove all propellant residue.
5-4. Apply a light coat of grease to all threads and the inside of the motor case. Reassemble metal parts and store motor in a dry place.
NOTICE: AeroTech™ certifies that it has exercised reasonable care in the design and manufacture of its products. As we cannot control the storage and use of our products, once sold we cannot assume any responsibility for product storage, transportation or usage. AeroTech™ shall not be held responsible for any personal injury or property damage resulting from the handling, storage or use of our product. The buyer assumes all risks and liabilities therefrom and accepts and uses AeroTech™ products on these conditions. No warranty either expressed or implied is made regarding AeroTech™ products, except for replacement or repair, at AeroTech's™ option, of those products which are proven to be defective in manufacture within one year from the date of original purchase. For repair or replacement under this warranty, please contact AeroTech. Proof of purchase will be required. Note: Your state may provide additional rights not covered by this warranty.