Pratt Hobbies introduces ultra-small accelerometer

Home / Archives / News Archive 1999 / Pratt Hobbies introduces ultra-small accelerometer

1999 Archived News by Pratt Hobbies

Wednesday, April 28, 1999

HERDON, Virginia USA — It gives me great pleasure to announce the impending availability of two new electronic rocket products from Pratt Hobbies.

The G-Wiz LC and G-Wiz LC Deluxe are accelerometer-based systems designed for model and high power rocketry.

Pratt's new ultra-small accelerometer

Developed and manufactured by Rob Briody and Larry Lynch-Freshner with some help from Ken Wada, the G-Wiz products will be available from three retailers, one of which is Pratt Hobbies.

Both systems are designed to be powered by common square 9v batteries. The circuit board is small enough to fit into a BT-50 payload section.

They have an option to wire in a separate battery for the pyro channels, so you can use higher current igniters without causing a voltage drop that messes up the microprocessor. Screw-type terminals make it easy to hook up bare wires for your pyro charges.

Complete unit will fit in a BT-50 tube!

The G-Wiz LC uses an accelerometer to sense altitude, so no vent holes are necessary.

Pyro Channel 1 can be switched to fire either on launch detect (to light the motors in a cluster...great safety feature!) or on booster burnout (to light the sustainer stage).

Pyro Channel 2 fires at peak altitude. The status LED blinks the altitude back at you.

Charges wire right into built-in terminal block

The G-Wiz LC Deluxe uses both an accelerometer and an air pressure sensor. Along with the functions of the G-Wiz LC, the LC Deluxe has a third channel that fires a pyro charge at 400 feet above ground level. It also reports peak altitude via the status LED.

The G-Wiz LC will be available mid-May, and will sell for $89.95. Preorders are being taken now at www.pratthobbies.com. As we do on all orders, no credit card will be charged or check deposited until the order actually ships.

Availability and price of the G-Wiz LC Deluxe will be announced shortly, but I expect it to retail for around $130.

Check out http://www.pratthobbies.com/ for more pictures and details.