RRC3+ Online Quick Start Guide

Overview

The RRC3+ is ready to fly dual deployment duties as it comes right out of the box, providing a drogue event at apogee and main event at 500 ft AGL. This is your simple guide for the “I want to fly it now and read the User Manual later” individual.

At apogee (highest point of the rocket flight) the RRC3+ will fire a "drogue" charge to separate the rocket airframe and/or deploy a small drogue chute to stabilize the airframe components during their free fall.  Then at 500 ft. it will fire a "main" charge to deploy your parachute. 

The RRC3+ is a "barometric" altimeter -- it needs to sample air to take its readings and function correctly. It must be solidly mounted in an avionics bay with vent holes in the bay to sample air pressure as the rocket travels up (ascent) and down (descent). 

The RRC3+ will "beep" out continuity before flight, telling you all connections are GO for flight; and upon landing will "beep" out your max altitude. There is also an LED that blinks in conjunction with the beeps if hearing is an issue.

Connections

BAT+ and BAT- / Connect power from your battery and power switching here

DROGUE / Low current e-match for first charge that fires (apogee)

MAIN / Low current e-match  for second charge that fires (500' main parachute)

AUX / High current output for staging, air starts, etc. (See the RRC3+ User Manual for all the details)

Batteries
The RRC3+ is designed to be powered by a standard 9-volt alkaline or any 1S or 2S Lithium battery.  Batteries must be mounted solidly in a battery box, zip tied,  etc. If using a 9V battery clip it is advisable to use several wraps of electrical tape around battery and clip, before securing it to the sled. Always check the battery voltage before installing & before each flight! Even new batteries can be defective and have sub-par voltage.

Vent Holes
Vent holes in the avionics bay allow the altimeter to sample air pressure. 
Here are some 3-hole approximation examples for simplicity:

A. 38 mm by 6 in. ( 3 x 1/16” holes )
B.  54 mm by 7 in. ( 3 x 1/8" holes )
C.  3 in. by 9 in. ( 3 x 5/32” holes )
D.  4 in. by 12 in. ( 3 x 3/16” holes )
E.  6 in. by 18 in. ( 3 x 1/4"holes )

Make sure when drilling holes they are clean and clear from fuzz and debris for smooth, clear airflow. Locate your vent holes equally spaced around the avionics bay in a single circumference.  If you want more information about proper venting sizes, refer to the RRC3+ User Manual section on Static Pressure Ports 

Programming the RRC3+
There are 3 tiers of programmability for the RRC3+ (pushbutton, LCD, and the mDACS Windows app), however, these operations are outside of the scope of this Guide.  Download the RRC3+ User Manual for programming procedures.

Reading the Beeps/Blinks
When you first power up the RRC3+, it will beep for 5 seconds.  After that the altimeter goes through several power up tests and initialization steps.  Once these tests and initialization are complete, the RRC3+ beeps continuity readiness pre-launch and after landing will beep out the altitude.

On the pad, with your ejection charges connected to the drogue and main terminals you will have the following beeps/blinks every 5 seconds for continuity (everything is hooked up correct and GO for flight):

Drogue only - 1 beep
Main only - 2 beeps
Drogue & Main - 3 beeps (Dual Deploy)
No charges - 1 Long beep (ride along only)

After flight and upon landing, the RRC3+ will beep/blink your maximum altitude (Example:  2340 ft.):
2 beep-beep [pause]
3 beep-beep-beep [pause]
4 beep-beep-beep-beep [pause]
0 long-beep [pause]
low buzz [long pause / beeping repeats]