Spark made with electronics
I want to make a spark so I can ignite some gas. I want to add a timer so I can have a flame now and then. (it shall be used for show purpsoe).
How do I make spark with electronics without any moving parts?
My first Idea was to charge a big capacitor and have two wires close enough to make a spark when I push (or timer circuit) a button and open for current.
Any ideas?
A 230V mains transformer can be wired in reverse to convert a low voltage to a couple of kV which will produce a small spark, just apply a pulse to the primary coil.
How are you going to be controlling the gas? You need a solenoid valve.
You also need to be very carful working with flammable gasses.
Where do you live? Here in the UK you need to be Corgi certified in order to work with gas, otherwise you're breaking the law.
ThanksOriginally Posted by Hero999
I am from denmark 25 years old and I am pretty sure there are no laws in denmark about this.
I can buy electric controlled open/close switch thing (to open and close for gas or as you say solenoid valve) just like the ones placed in welding machiens to open up for argon.
I want to make a circuit that opens up for gas 1 second before it ignites it. It shall immitate breath from a dragon model made of concrete. It is very much the same as a weed burner, it should just be automatically controlled.
Last edited by SimonTHK; 20th March 2010 at 05:00 PM.
"just apply a pulse to the primary coil" what do you mean by pulse exactly?
Will it make a spark just by having these high voltage wires close to each others? Is that enough?
Maybe think about triggering an automotive ignition coil? I have done it firing an ignition coil using a lamp dimmer circuit.
Ron
A short brief pulse of electricity.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulse_(signal_processing)
Yes, that's the idea.Will it make a spark just by having these high voltage wires close to each others? Is that enough?
An automotive ignition coil is an even better.
it shold work like this YouTube - Jacob's Ladder: 500kV Switch Opening
almost xD
Here is a simple line powered ignition coil driver circuit that can be built with common and basic parts.
Just use a timer relay to delay the ignition circuit for a second or so when the power is applied.
"You know you are old when you can remember your days of sitting on the committee that decided what color dirt would be. " -- tcmtech's grandpa
thanks
should I have 230v on line?
Yes.
Is this going to be batter operated?
The only problem with the circuit posted above is safety. If the ignition coil's secondary is connected to its case, then the whole metal chassis will be at mains potential so you need to insulate the ignition transformer's body from the user.
All ignition circuits are potentially dangerous anyway, it's just the mains is more dangerous because there's more current available, even though the voltage is lower.
