nichrome bottle rocket

Other Hardware General Electronics
21

help9meh:
you guys might think I'm making some big explosive rocket and i should of linked this in post 1 but this is my "rocket"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDQmfo2SnyU

After watching that, YouTube suggested this one:

This guy is using a spark gap to do the ignition. He's using a mechanical piezo spark starter like this: Piezo Igniter - COM-10234 - SparkFun Electronics. Sparkfun used to have an electronic version but no longer sell it: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/retired/11218

To automate it I would look into hacking something like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Electronic-Pulse-Spark-Igniter-Lighter-Igniting-Gas-Gun-Kitchen-Barbecue-Gadgets-/381281124904

Or this bad boy, more professional, less haxoring involved:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Electronic-Spark-Igniter-12VDC-Manual-15kV-Spark-Output-DXML-12-/221371440152
http://www.bennitechnologies.com/files/DXML001.pdf

I'm going to have to buy one of those just to have it...

22

yea I've seen the NightHawkInLight one but i linked the collage student one because it was more of what I'm doing

i have a piezo like this will it war out? and can i use a transformer on it ?

i would like to automate it but since it such high voltage i really don't want to kill my self

23

but thanks great help

24

For igniting a fuel/air mixture, you really need a spark rather than a hot wire.
Look for the "electronic ignitors" for gas barbecues.
http://www.amazon.com/Universal-Generator-Replacement-Huntington-Electronic/dp/B00WLSEUU0/ref=sr_1_35?ie=UTF8&qid=1440205047&sr=8-35&keywords=grill+ignitors+electronic
(do NOT get the mechanically activated piezo-based things.)
(On the other hand, if you can put up with mechanically-activate, you can get butane barbecue lighters for about $3...)

25

help9meh:
i would like to automate it but since it such high voltage i really don't want to kill my self

If those things could kill people they wouldn't sell them as parts of consumer devices. They make hardly any current. You'll be OK.

The way to automate it is pretty simple. Just looking at the cheap one, it works with a switch. I would just either throw a transistor in there and actuate it from the Arduino, or if you want to be really safe, use a transistor-relay circuit. With the 12V guy, it seems to be on when the 12V is on and only uses 100mA so I would probably just drive it on the low side with an NPN transistor. Either way it's pretty easy to do it. More disassembly for the hand-starter and a 12V power supply for the other one are the two main inconveniences.

26

westfw:
www.amazon.com/Universal-Generator-Replacement-Huntington-Electronic/dp/B00WLSEUU0/ref=sr_1_35?ie=UTF8&qid=1440205047&sr=8-35&keywords=grill+ignitors+electronic

That looks viable too. Like the Chinese hand starter I linked you would have to replace the momentary switch with an electromechanical switch (relay) or an electronic switch (transistor) but it would work for you.

27

hi
i can't buy anything from eBay come i live on the other side of the world but my piezo just broke and yea should i buy another one for 4$ or get this one for 15% including shipping
and on the gas igniter were would the wires go?

28

if my piezo thing crashes and burns what alternativs are their in New Zealand

29

help9meh:
hi
i can't buy anything from eBay come i live on the other side of the world but my piezo just broke and yea should i buy another one for 4$ or get this one for 15% including shipping
and on the gas igniter were would the wires go?

I thought the Chinese cheapo sellers were experts at selling to anyone, anywhere, at the cheapest postage possible. Have you ever tried? Or is this more like you are 15 and don't have a credit card or PayPal account? It's OK if that's the case but it would be good to know to try to help.

30

Or maybe the suppliers in Australia.

31

Here in the US the DollarTree stores sell the below type lighters for $1 and it contains a piezo electric trigger to make a spark on the tip. You might want to google "spud gun" as they use fume explosions.

32

is it possible to MAKE a non-lethal and no piezo spark generator

33

Yes.

The biggest difficulty is the coil though.

For small you need vacuum encapsulation equipment.

Much easier to get a manufactured one.

Boiler ignitor coils are potted and less than a matchbox size.

34

what would i buy for a sparker that uses 5-10 milliamps and a few comment household batteries AA 9v....

35

Not sure if it will work for your application but I use this with an Arduino to automatically ignite a propane blowtorch: Silicon Nitride Igniter - 12V - COM-11694 - SparkFun Electronics. It is much more reliable and easier to work with than the sparkfun spark gap igniter previously mentioned. The item is now retired on sparkfun but it is a very common part used for lighting gas ovens so you should be able to buy one locally or online easily or salvage one. I have found most of them lack a datasheet so you may have to do some testing with a multimeter to determine the current. It does take maybe 0.5 seconds to heat up but that shouldn't be a problem for your application.

36

i bought what zoomcat said and the spark is 2cm long and gives a startling shock can't wait to zap my friends!
but thanks alot
byeeeeee