Reusable electrical igniter

[MrBOOMbastic]

Just wanted to share something I put together because I havent really seen anyone else do anything similar ..

 

I bought ozark trail rechargeable lighter from Walmart $8. Took it apart and soldered 2 wires to where the push button is and ran them to a relay switch($3). Hooked the relay switch up to an ESP32 ($8)( similar to arduino but has Wi-Fi built in. I use a second esp32 with a push button to send a signal to the other one which fires the relay switch for 3 seconds and the lighter sparks and sets off virtually any fuse you have. I have it connected to black match but tried Cisco successfully. You could keep the design more simple using just 1 arduino and setting something like a 30 second delay after powering on. So basically for less than $30 I have a reliable electric match which can be reused indefinitely . Obviously not replacing regular electric match for large shows but a great way to safely light individual fireworks.

[justvisiting]

How many ignitions has it done so far? My thinking is that it won't take long to foul the electrodes from the sulfur fumes from the fuse. I've quickly ruined a couple of arc-type lighters lighting black match and (mostly) visco. If your electrodes don't foul, this would be quite handy

Not trying to be a wet blanket here. I hope it keeps working.

[Powderman]

Wouldn´t it be easier (and cheaper) to attach (or wind) piece of resistance wire to the fuse?

[Arthur]

In the UK there are "Talon" igniters, supposedly reuseable a few times. They are a resistance wire that ignites visco, but they sometimes burn right out and often the filament fouls, stopping subsequent function.

 

For $8 yours is a fun thing but the possibility of it fouling with fuse ash is high.

[MrBOOMbastic]

So far Ive lit about 15-20. I have cleaned tip with alcohol wipe before putting away because there was some soot after firing a few but hasnt misfired yet

[MrBOOMbastic]

Wouldn´t it be easier (and cheaper) to attach (or wind) piece of resistance wire to the fuse?

In my experience it either burns through good for 1 shot and thicker wire takes a few seconds to heat up and requires more current than a little lipo battery can provide. As long as electrodes dont get ruined like justvisiting mentioned this seems to be a good method that offers quick/reliable ignition with a small form factor that doesnt require high voltage

[50AE]

You could use a HV voltage generator + plasma discharge between two plates. You'll need some current to give away some heat. Drawback is lethal voltages.

[Powderman]

In my experience it either burns through good for 1 shot and thicker wire takes a few seconds to heat up and requires more current than a little lipo battery can provide.

If made correct with the help of Ohms law and proper resistance wire (suitable for high temp) it works great. It will fail if random wire with random battery is used. Most 18650 cells have no problem with few amps for a second or two. Most of them can sustain it continuously. LiPo even more.