Altimeter Testing

[03flyer]

Is it really necessary to do a vacuum chamber test?

[Voyager]

Not many people would do this, because most people do not have the facilities to perform a controlled test where you actually log the barometric pressure at which events, such as drogue and main deployment, occur. Or even checking altimeter real-time telemetry data with a reference pressure sensor, or a known accurate reference altimeter. The basic setup is relatively simple if you really want to do it, but most altimeters are quite reliable.

If you are only interested in checking for drogue and main deployment, without actually collecting and analyzing the data, then the straw test is quite useful.

[SpaceManMat]

You can test it at ambient pressure.

Turn it on today and see what pressure it reads. Find out what the BOM says the pressure is. Turn it on another day and see that it is changed and has trended correctly after checking with BOM again.

Or check the pressure at the top and bottom of a hill / mountain. The baro units are extremely sensitive 10m change in altitude should be enough to confirm.

You probably also want to do a seperate test to confirm it can fire an ematch (or at least a suitable substitute such as a light bulb).

One other thing with a new altimiter on its initial flight, if possible fly it as a backup or just as a logger (or motor backup). That way you can see the thing in action and confirm it’s fully functional without risking the rocket.

[03flyer]

Thanks for keeping it simple, Voyager and SpaceMan... I’m moving on.

Thank you.