Sparker Reference Guide

Boom! The classic potato gun harnesses the combustion of flammable vapor. Show us your combustion spud gun and discuss fuels, ratios, safety, ignition systems, tools, and more.
User avatar
rcman50166
Corporal 2
Corporal 2
Posts: 697
Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2008 7:11 pm
Location: Bethel, CT
Contact:

Fri Feb 08, 2008 5:30 pm

That isn't a tesla coil. It appears to an ignition coil hooked up to a spark gap (hence "you can hear it in an auditorium") and directly linked to the batteries from there. It's classified as a DC transformer.
User avatar
*5*STAR*GENERAL*
Private
Private
Posts: 15
Joined: Thu Nov 22, 2007 12:06 am
Location: washington DC
Contact:

Fri Feb 08, 2008 6:55 pm

i got a question is a direct curcut better than an alt curcut?
User avatar
MrCrowley
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 10078
Joined: Fri Jun 23, 2006 10:42 pm
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Been thanked: 3 times

Fri Feb 08, 2008 7:01 pm

*5*STAR*GENERAL* wrote:i got a question is a direct curcut better than an alt curcut?
http://www.pcguide.com/ref/power/ext/basicsACDC-c.html

Why don't you spend 5 minutes of your life reading that instead of hijacking topcis.
User avatar
rcman50166
Corporal 2
Corporal 2
Posts: 697
Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2008 7:11 pm
Location: Bethel, CT
Contact:

Fri Feb 08, 2008 7:03 pm

If you're going to use a transformer based circuit then AC is needed to work. The principle, in general, is that a coil of wire will create a small EMP when the current changes direction. DC circuit will not do this so energy cannot be transformed via wire coil. Solid state systems can use DC because they don't use transformers. But as far a potato gun ignition is concerned, it doesn't really matter. But remember, DC current is much more deadly than AC current, that's why they use it for the electical chair.
Kamikaze33
Recruit
Recruit
Posts: 1
Joined: Fri Nov 14, 2008 1:43 am

Fri Nov 14, 2008 1:55 am

god damnit i wish i would have found this site before i got out the soldering iron lol
heres my plan
i want to use an electric circuit, mainly so i can use a joystick to fire it (kinda like a mini gun). i currently have a camera flash circuit set up, and have already discovered its main flaw as listed (the capacitor has shit out on me). would my joystick apparatus still work with the electric bbq starter? heres a pic of it
Image
User avatar
starman
Sergeant Major
Sergeant Major
United States of America
Posts: 3027
Joined: Wed Dec 12, 2007 12:45 am
Location: Simpsonville, SC

Donating Members

Fri Nov 14, 2008 10:09 am

Watch the language there dude.

Your joystick is ultimately just a awitch like most any other and could be made to turn on just about anything. All an electric BBQ sparker requires is a some closed contacts...the joystick by itself should be able to provide that without your little mess of circuitry shown there.
salasd
Private
Private
Posts: 17
Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2009 9:26 pm

Tue Jan 06, 2009 11:20 pm

hey totally random right here, but is it really possible to use a marx generator and if so could all the little sparks gaps be used in the chamber? even though they'd be closer it would make a fairly amazing ignition.
KnooBill
Private
Private
Posts: 13
Joined: Fri Nov 23, 2007 8:08 pm

Fri Jan 16, 2009 3:22 pm

Hello, I was wondering whether you can achieve a high voltage difference (excuse my words, I'm aware of the terminology in English) between two poles with a dynamo.
User avatar
rcman50166
Corporal 2
Corporal 2
Posts: 697
Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2008 7:11 pm
Location: Bethel, CT
Contact:

Tue Feb 10, 2009 5:01 pm

hey totally random right here, but is it really possible to use a marx generator and if so could all the little sparks gaps be used in the chamber? even though they'd be closer it would make a fairly amazing ignition.
Well I've never personally used a marx generator myself, but it is entirely within the realm of possibility to use the spark gaps for firing. However, a fuel saturated chamber usually shortens jumping distances so is you're going to use a marx generator, make sure it has high tolerance values cause chances are its going to need a higher initiation voltage.

Hello, I was wondering whether you can achieve a high voltage difference (excuse my words, I'm aware of the terminology in English) between two poles with a dynamo.
Well to keep it short, you could, but it would be incredibly impractical. If I were going to use a mechanically operated device on it however, I would use a Wilmhurst generator or a Vann de Graff Generator. Both are relatively easy to make, or buy online :lol:
Image
User avatar
rcman50166
Corporal 2
Corporal 2
Posts: 697
Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2008 7:11 pm
Location: Bethel, CT
Contact:

Fri Mar 13, 2009 6:23 pm

It would seem that the pilot hole image is no longer working. I've searched the internet for another image but yielded no results. Does anyone have an image or url to remedy this? It would be much appreciated.
Image
Clutch
Private
Private
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon Apr 13, 2009 10:26 am

Mon Apr 13, 2009 10:40 am

Would it be possible to wire a BBQ sparker to a small Spark plug, the kind off a lawn mower, etc. I always have problems getting my propane to ignite, I think it's the shit ignition i have.

Or better yet, is it possible to wire a Stun gun to a spark plug? :shock:
User avatar
rcman50166
Corporal 2
Corporal 2
Posts: 697
Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2008 7:11 pm
Location: Bethel, CT
Contact:

Mon Apr 13, 2009 12:39 pm

Yes, both work in that case. My first cannon I ever made had the first setup you described. It is very easy and simple to setup. The only reason you don't see more on the site is because it is more efficient to place the ignitor in the center of the chamber. A spark plug would be mounted on the side.
Image
nosebleedXD
Specialist 2
Specialist 2
Posts: 246
Joined: Mon Jul 21, 2008 10:23 pm

Wed Jun 17, 2009 11:23 pm

is it bad to have a
The Humble Piezoelectric Ignitor

inside of the chamber?

cause i want to make a gun design like combustion cannon with a handle and a button attached to it

any suggestions?
User avatar
rcman50166
Corporal 2
Corporal 2
Posts: 697
Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2008 7:11 pm
Location: Bethel, CT
Contact:

Fri Jun 19, 2009 2:10 pm

nosebleedXD wrote:is it bad to have a
The Humble Piezoelectric Ignitor

inside of the chamber?

cause i want to make a gun design like combustion cannon with a handle and a button attached to it

any suggestions?
It's not bad, it'll still work. However I have not done that myself, I have seen it done to other cannons where only the red button is exposed. I'd imagine it would shorten its operating life though. If I were you I would make it removable so you can replace it when it dies.
Image
nosebleedXD
Specialist 2
Specialist 2
Posts: 246
Joined: Mon Jul 21, 2008 10:23 pm

Fri Jun 19, 2009 10:31 pm

i think the button is gonna get destroyed in there from the combustion so i rather not take the risk.. i guess ill do the old fashion taping method
Post Reply