Need help with large boosters and decouplers

[SignalCorps]

I am using the largest booster (kickback) and the TT-70 radial decoupler (the one that is extended).

Problem I have is that, with the large size of the booster, using one decoupler, the boosters get all floppy, and bounce around during ascent. I try putting a decoupler near the top and bottom of the booster, and in the VAB, it looks like it is attached to both, but once in flight, it acts like the second decoupler isn't there (the one I didn't attach to with the mouse pointer). And this is leading to stuff banging together that really shouldn't be. I am trying to make it so the upper decoupler fires with slightly more force than the lower, so that the top of the boosters spread away (kinda like a bloomin' onion) and don't hit the parts that I really wish would stay attached to my rocket.

Edited May 22, 2015 by SignalCorps

[Jonboy]

Yeah, using more than one radial decoupler to attach a booster usually doesn't work too well. It's going to act like it's attached only to the first decoupler, just as you observed. The best way to overcome this is the best way yo overcome all KSP problems: struts.

As far as flinging the boosters away after separation, I use Sepratons at the top and bottom of my boosters. The radial decouplers just don't seem to give enough power to reliably clear your center stage.

[Rhomphaia]

KSP uses a tree structure so only one decoupler will attach.

the only way around this is to use EAS-4 stut connectors. one of these at conecting the top of the booster to the center stack will hold it steady. If you still have problems with it colliding after separation you may need to use sepratrons.

[n0xiety]

I always connect my boosters with 1 strut at the tip and keep the part count as low as possible and it works. No need for more than 1 strut. Don't forget to connect the strut to booster first so that when the booster gets separated the sturt won't stay on the main body of your ship. Its ugly + why increase the part count.

[Cebi]

Also throttling back during separation will prevent damage to main stack.