Has anyone got any ideas on how to create a spark using Arduino? That sounds bad, no I don't want to short or damage any of the Arduino components....
I want to create a spark at an interval... At the moment I'm using arduino to move a servo which pushes down on the piezoelectric starter button on a gas lighter. This is a bit unreliable though, becasue the servo tends to move and no longer align with the button.
Anyone know of any other parts that would make a spark using battery power alone that I could trigger using a digital out?
if you promise to make a cool 8x8 display rather than a bomb i would hint you in the direction of spark-plugs for rc cars (gasoline powered).
when i once bought a servo i witnessed how two guys before me had to show their IDs and sign a paper to get them. that happened here in germany and i don't know if those were special super danger spark-plugs or something :o ... just to let you know.
It's nothing (too) dangerous - I want to create a homemade 'fireball' effect like you see at various rock concerts... would add a certain amount of class to a backyard concert!
Glow plugs don't ignite diesel fuel, they heat it up so the intense pressure of the compression stroke is capable of igniting it. (If the diesel fuel/air mixture is too cold it won't ignite even under all that pressure)
To contrast, a gasoline engine's ignition works by charging a coil using primary current (12VDC at some amperage), then cutting off the current abruptly, causing a backvoltage which, when induced into the secondary coil, brings a ~20kV spike into play. I guess a power transistor could be driven by the arduino to drive one of those?
Yeah I knew that compression would probably be required, but I was still hoping it worked!
I've tried a few thing recently, I've tried servos pushing down on BBQ lighter triggers, toy gearbox sets pulling on string connected to the trigger. It seems like the power required to get a spark out of a peizo electric starter is bigger than I thought! I'm going to try using a lever arm to get a bit more mechanical advantage.
On the non mechanical side I dissasembled a disposable camera, and I can get two wires soldered to the flash points to spark, but only when they touch, they won't spark across a gap.
I've definately been thinking about using a ignition coil from a motor cycle or something connected to a sparkplug. It's getting a bit pricy for my application though.
Something perfect would be a cheap stun gun like the one used in Make: magazine's potato launcher, unfortunately they aren't as easy to come by in australia... if anyone knows where to get one here let me know.
My gas stove top at home uses and electronic sparker, and doesn't require any force to create a continous spark either. anyone know how these work? I'm renting so not going to dissasemble my one at home.
The way to go is to have the chip control a relay. The relay should be connected to a cable with a spark gap in it. When the digial goes high it closes the relay creating a spark.
You might need a RC circut to drive the spark but I realy don't know though.
Ok so to make any circut safe for the microprocessor I sugest that you etheir use an Optoisolator chip or a Diodes. I sugest the diodes they will not let power run the wrong way down your circut and kill your chips.
Have you thought of using a spark plug. They are very safe and they run at 12 volts. I think. whats more they are desinged for just this perpose.
Yep definately thought about a spark plug. Problem is I'm too cheap to pay for it and a coil to step up the voltage. Will keep my eyes out for a side of teh road freebie.
Have got a solution - I'm using a disposable camera flash circuit to make a spark. Arduino is used to control a servo, whcih is holding one of the wires connected to the flash. when the servo moves - bang. the flash circuit is completely separate from the arduino, so no danger there.
How about this? A Plasma generator kit for $65 that puts out 25 kilovolts, which should be more than enough to fry everything electronic on your desktop!
This might be a bit convoluted but you could hook a flint wheel up to little motor...even if it doesn't work for the application you're shooting for I would giggle to see this setup in action.
I found the solution 7-11 sells electric lighters. It heats up a coil of wire that good enough light Butane and its run but a switch which you could tie to an out put.
An idea: Why not pull the flash out of one of those disposable cameras? Kodak Funsaver, I beleive. They're capable of producing a pretty solid little snap.
