Rocketry Planet

LYONS, Colorado USA — The PET2+ sets a new performance standard with the most advanced and versatile dual event timer functions available in high power rocketry today.  It’s the perfect choice for staging, airstarts, or other specialized timing operations from the simplest to the most complex projects. 

The new PET2+ programmable event timer offers a new small "Mini" footprint compared to its predecessor, just 1" wide and 3.15" long, small enough to fit in a 29mm coupler. Mounting is easy with the small footprint using two mounting holes sized for 4-40 hardware.

Priced at just $54.95, the Missile Works PET2+ is easily the most versatile timer in high power rocketry.

PET2+ features include:

• 2 completely independent programmable on-board timers
• 3-axis orientation provides the most flexible mounting options for your project
• 3 programmable time bases (0.1 / 1.0 / 2.0 sec)
• 4 triggering events (MEIG/MECO/SEIG/SECO)
• Break-wire input circuit interlocks with any trigger event to provide a fail-safe permissive
• Independently programmable G-range triggering (2 - 5 G’s)
• Programmable event output pulse duration (0.1 - 3.0 sec)
• One-shot or Repeat Interval timer operations
• Off-axis and Auto Orientation detection operation
• Interactive menu programming and operation via pushbuttons and LED's—no dip switches
• All user setpoints are stored in non-volatile EEPROM
• Complete on-board diagnostic capability with POST
• Made in the USA

Using virtually all surface mount device (SMD) construction, its silicon resin conformal coating prevents corrosive black powder residue damage.  In addition the new PET2+ uses full HIL/ETE (Hardware In the Loop/End-to-End) 6-axis calibration to null out the operational tolerances of the onboard accelerometer.

Priced at just $54.95, this is easily the most versatile timer in high power rocketry.

Website: http://www.missileworks.com/

Reader comments:

#1 Re: Article: Missile Works introduces new PET2+ programmable timer

I just spoke to Jim, and these things are starting to fly off the shelf. 5 units have already sold in the 180 minutes this article has been up. Apparently there has been a pent-up demand.

ddmobley on 05-19-2011 08:39 PM

#2 Re: Article: Missile Works introduces new PET2+ programmable timer

Quote:

I just spoke to Jim, and these things are starting to fly off the shelf. 5 units have already sold in the 180 minutes this article has been up. Apparently there has been a pent-up demand.

Darrell, it does not surprise me. Jim makes a fine product. I have two RRC2 altimeters and they just work.

markkoelsch on 05-19-2011 10:42 PM

#3 Re: Article: Missile Works introduces new PET2+ programmable timer

I typically do not use timers, but this is a great product.

cwbullet on 05-19-2011 11:34 PM

#4 Re: Article: Missile Works introduces new PET2+ programmable timer

This is a great product. Jim was adamant that it be fully tested before release and he was very eager to hear suggestions and criticisms. Having contributed slightly, I will be buying one.

Steve_Shannon on 05-20-2011 12:04 AM

#5 Re: Article: Missile Works introduces new PET2+ programmable timer

As a member of the team that beta tested these I was fortunate enough to fly this several times in multiple configurations in my 4x24 + 1x29 4" Crayon. Using a single 9v battery I was able to light 2 2xD12 stages in different configurations. I didn't have the chance to try this unit in a dual battery configuration or with APCP motors due to limitations on this end (field size, rocket available, etc.).

Overall this is the most configurable timer I have ever seen. The price is excellent as well - I'm not surprised these were flying off the shelf.

Observations from testing:

• Like the RRC2-Mini - this is a little confusing to get used to at first. Programming is fairly simple but best handled away from stress. Due to the reliance on lighted LED's you may need a shady spot to see the unit well enough to program in the field. My recommendation - program before you head to the field - it's less complicated that way.
  
  
• Error handling is simple and audio cues are easy to hear. The unit has 3 orientations that work. If you reverse one of these and try to fly - it won't work and when you arm it you'll know immediately that you screwed up - ask me how I know.
  
  
• This unit is highly flexible and simple to operate IF you keep the manual with you. Put a PDF on your smartphone or carry printed copies in your equipment boxes in case you decide to modify the settigns you programmed at home.
  
  
• Unlike something like the new RocketTiltometer this unit does not have any angle of flight validation to provide cutoff of the event if the flight is not nominal. Most timers fall into this same mode of operation and this is acceptable as long as your cluster / staging / other event are sufficiently conservative. If you are flying on the edge you may want to add additional safety to the flight by adding something to cut out the event if there is a departure from expected conditions prior to the event.
  
  
• This unit is small enough and flexible enough to make a pretty good motor topper if you are want to avoid using motor delays. Times will be very accurate and the unit is very flexible offering the option of having two events - a primary and a backup or a primary and then a secondary if timed events work for your application.
  
  
• Timing of events based on SEIG (Secondary Engine Ignition) should bear in mind there are minimum thrust accelerations required to meet the requirements to begin the timer on this event. I am unaware of any failures - but attention to this detail is important. None of my 2xD12 events would have produced enough thrust to reliably trigger SEIG - consequently I never flew that mode.
  
  
• The use of MECO (Main Engine Cutoff) as a trigger for timed events is a great help if you are flying EX - your motor burn time may be more variable than commercial motors and using something like this can assist with timing in the event you want to fly staged or motor topper type flights.
  

Overall I really like this unit and found it a pleasure to use.

UncleVanya on 05-20-2011 09:13 AM

#6 Re: Article: Missile Works introduces new PET2+ programmable timer

Quote:

• Unlike something like the new RocketTiltometer this unit does not have any angle of flight validation to provide cutoff of the event if the flight is not nominal. Most timers fall into this same mode of operation and this is acceptable as long as your cluster / staging / other event are sufficiently conservative. If you are flying on the edge you may want to add additional safety to the flight by adding something to cut out the event if there is a departure from expected conditions prior to the event.
  

In the manual and on the MW webpage, it talks about the Global Setpoints. There is mentions:

Inertial Trigger Axis: 1=X-Axis, 2=Y-Axis, 3=Z-Axis, 4=Auto-Axis — Default=4

Off Axis/Cal Deviation 1-10 ( 5 Represents ≈ ± 20 degrees) — Default=5

Are these usable in the method you discuss? If not, maybe the $474.05 price difference is the reason.

Also, the rumor now is the new MW Wireless Remote Control is nearing production!

ddmobley on 05-20-2011 03:05 PM

#7 Re: Article: Missile Works introduces new PET2+ programmable timer

Quote:

In the manual and on the MW webpage, it talks about the Global Setpoints. There is mentions:

Inertial Trigger Axis: 1=X-Axis, 2=Y-Axis, 3=Z-Axis, 4=Auto-Axis — Default=4

Off Axis/Cal Deviation 1-10 ( 5 Represents ≈ ± 20 degrees) — Default=5

Are these usable in the method you discuss? If not, maybe the $474.05 price difference is the reason.

Also, the rumor now is the new MW Wireless Remote Control is nearing production!

I verified the operation with Jim @ Missileworks yesterday. No, the "Off Axis" measurment it is not a "cheap Tiltometer"--too bad. Jim says it is only used during POST to verify correct axis alignment, and not used in flight. Maybe in the future he'll add a MEMS gyro?!? That plus a bit of software and then he could really pump up the price. But knowing Jim, he wouldn't. Likely he'd just pass on the value. I would pay $200 for the functionality though.

BTW, I'm guessing I'm one of the 5 you mentioned Darrell as I ordered over my iPhone about 30 minutes after the posting.

dixontj on 05-20-2011 03:26 PM

#8 Re: Article: Missile Works introduces new PET2+ programmable timer

Quote:

BTW, I'm guessing I'm one of the 5 you mentioned Darrell as I ordered over my iPhone about 30 minutes after the posting.

That's great! You got yourself a nice timer too. What I wonder is who was the guy from Italy that was in the first five?

ddmobley on 05-20-2011 04:12 PM

#9 Re: Article: Missile Works introduces new PET2+ programmable timer

Quote:

In the manual and on the MW webpage, it talks about the Global Setpoints. There is mentions:

Inertial Trigger Axis: 1=X-Axis, 2=Y-Axis, 3=Z-Axis, 4=Auto-Axis — Default=4

Off Axis/Cal Deviation 1-10 ( 5 Represents ≈ ± 20 degrees) — Default=5

Are these usable in the method you discuss? If not, maybe the $474.05 price difference is the reason.

Also, the rumor now is the new MW Wireless Remote Control is nearing production!

As mentioned by another poster this only controls the amount of tolerance for the unit dectecting that it is aligned "vertically" on one of the axes during arming. My unit was one of those that helped determine what this value needed to be set to... Which was sad briefly when I couldn't get it to arm on the old defaults but happy when we worked out what needed to be changed and happy that the flight was prevented when the unit was not happy with the conditions.

UncleVanya on 05-20-2011 05:21 PM

#10 Re: Article: Missile Works introduces new PET2+ programmable timer

Good price range, gonna get me one on payday ... woohoo ... new toy for me.

'J'

Smokin J on 06-01-2011 12:44 PM

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