need info on ignition system

[dave6187]

I have a camping trip coming up this weekend, and I wanted to beef up the ignition system in my combustion cannon before it, I was originally going to do something with the transformer from a plasma ball, but my plasma ball seemingly disappeared a few days ago.

I bought an electric fly swatter from harbor freight, changed it from 3v to take a 9v, and soldered some wires in place of the grid, it makes a nice bright white spark, but the gap has to be so small, we're talking a couple thousandths, for it to arc. and it seems like it's such a hot spark it's eroding the electrodes (some stainless screws) pretty quickly, in fact if i get them too close together they actually weld together a bit. I need something with a bigger gap, that isnt so critical. But like I said, I only have until friday afternoon to get everything together, and a pretty strict budget.

any ideas/advice is greatly appreciated

[jsefcik]

Stungun!! Cheap and easy to hook up

[dave6187]

believe me man, if i could get one i would have a while ago, i can't buy them in, nor can i ship one to the state i live in

[dave6187]

and of course I just fried my circuit, although this is why i bought two swatters.

[ramses]

Piezo ignitor? Electronic grill ignitor?

Or you could dump your fly swatter into an ignition coil.

[dave6187]

i've been using piezo ignitors for a while, but I get mixed results from them, and quite honeslty my hand gets tired from pushing the button in constantly.

I'm trying to come up with a coil, you would think that being is I'm a mechanic, a coil would be easier to come up with.

if I can't come up with one though, an electric ignitor might have to do

[jsefcik]

Where do you live? I like the twist flint sparkers, cheap reliable
I used to go with the BBQ sparkers they don't give that well if a spark

My sparker never disappoints me !!!

[dave6187]

in new jersey, I know some people that live in philly, but tasers are illegal there too.

and that's why i'm looking to shy away from the bbq ignitors, they do spark, but it's such a puny spark, I didn't use my gun for a few weeks and my electrodes got corroded, the piezo wouldn't jump the gap consistently anymore, not the first time it's happened either. My eventual goal is to have multiple sparks, but, probably best to stick with one until it works

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

i've been using piezo ignitors for a while, but I get mixed results from them, and quite honeslty my hand gets tired from pushing the button in constantly.

A well set up combustion launcher should give you reliable one-click ignition with a piezo ising a 1/4" spark gap.

How are you fuelling and venting the launcher?

[danielrowell]

You could try using a disposable camera like in this thread.

[mattyzip77]

I have never ever had a problem with a bbq ignitor. As long as the gap is correct it works every time. The ideal gap is usually between 1/4 to 1/2 inch. good luck man!

[jsefcik]

Come to pa and get one!!!

[dave6187]

Or you could dump your fly swatter into an ignition coil.

I just tried doing that, and it straight up didn't work, I know my coil is good, makes a OK spark off of a 9v, hooked the circuit up to it, transformer just whined, changed a few things around, nothing. put it back to the way it was, nothing.

I'm at a loss, and am pretty much about to run 18 volts (2 9v) to the coil, and put a switch in line as a breaker and make that my ignition source. unless someone has a better idea.

[jsefcik]

Twist flint sparker!!!

[mattyzip77]

Build a pneumatic, much more powerful than a combustion, and legal. I live in Mass and combustions are a no no here! Try the electric grill sparker that when you turn the knob, it keeps sparking. Costs about 20 bucks and you can get them at walmart. Runs on AA batteries I think. Happy camping!! Supposed to rain all weekend!!