BATTERY OPERATED HIGH VOLTAGE SOURCE

[Vault 1013]

Hi

Hey ppl, Im trying to create a high voltage source to create a spark that
will be able to ignite (butane/propane) gas.
Im trying to generate a spark at least as big/powerful as a piezo starter,
like those found in ovens, water heaters etc...
The only catch is that i want to be able to run it from a source no larger
than ~16 VDC, (i.e. 2 x 9V batteries).
Also, I dont want it to be too large or too expensive.

Thnx All

 

[Stefan Heinzmann]

Hi

Hey ppl, Im trying to create a high voltage source to create a spark that
will be able to ignite (butane/propane) gas.
Im trying to generate a spark at least as big/powerful as a piezo starter,
like those found in ovens, water heaters etc...
The only catch is that i want to be able to run it from a source no larger
than ~16 VDC, (i.e. 2 x 9V batteries).
Also, I dont want it to be too large or too expensive.

Good plan, tell us how you did it once it works.

 

[Pat Ford]

Good plan, tell us how you did it once it works.

Sounds like he needs a stun gun schematic
(ducking and running for cover 8*)
Pat

 

[Tony Williams]

Hey ppl, Im trying to create a high voltage source to create a
spark that will be able to ignite (butane/propane) gas. Im trying
to generate a spark at least as big/powerful as a piezo starter,
like those found in ovens, water heaters etc... The only catch is
that i want to be able to run it from a source no larger than ~16
VDC, (i.e. 2 x 9V batteries). Also, I dont want it to be too
large or too expensive.

There used to be a French cigarette lighter that
ignited the gas with a spark, tradename "Calibri"
afair. It was based on an ignition coil powered
off a tiny 12v battery. No electronics, just a
mechanical switch.

 

[Fritz Schlunder]

Hi

Hey ppl, Im trying to create a high voltage source to create a spark that
will be able to ignite (butane/propane) gas.
Im trying to generate a spark at least as big/powerful as a piezo starter,
like those found in ovens, water heaters etc...
The only catch is that i want to be able to run it from a source no larger
than ~16 VDC, (i.e. 2 x 9V batteries).
Also, I dont want it to be too large or too expensive.

Thnx All

Greetings Mr. Vault 1013.

Going from 16V to say 4kV directly in one step is relatively difficult. It
may be easier to use an intermediate voltage in between.

Make a very simple low power DC-DC converter to generate something like
300V. Play around with google and you might be able to find some ready made
schematics for some simple designs for this sort of thing. Use the 300V to
charge a small capacitor, IE: 0.033uF. Get yourself a xenon strobe trigger
transformer. Discharge the 0.033uF capacitor into the primary of the little
pulse transformer by mechanical means or with an SCR. Make sure the spacing
on the high voltage output is small enough to produce a spark. Xenon strobe
trigger transformers can be purchased from Mouser, or for single unit
quantities just buy a very cheap disposable camera with flash capability.
My local Wal-Mart sells these for under $5. Often the ones inside those
disposable cameras are smaller than the Mouser ones anyway. IIRC the
trigger transformer from one Kodak brand disposable camera I disassembled
had an extremely tiny trigger transformer inside. It was about as large as
the body of a TO-92 plastic package.

 

[Mr. Civility]

Hi

Hey ppl, Im trying to create a high voltage source to create a spark that
will be able to ignite (butane/propane) gas.
Im trying to generate a spark at least as big/powerful as a piezo starter,
like those found in ovens, water heaters etc...
The only catch is that i want to be able to run it from a source no larger
than ~16 VDC, (i.e. 2 x 9V batteries).
Also, I dont want it to be too large or too expensive.

A homemade squib will do the job. Just wrap some very fine wire around
the head of a match and connect it to a battery. Actually, I imagine
the wire itself would get hot enough to ignite the gas before it melted.

Oh, you want an actual electrical spark? An automotive ignition coil
will generate a nice strong one. Connect it up like an old points-based
ignition with a push-button replacing the points.

A relay hooked up like a buzzer (coil power delivered through the NC
contacts) might do the trick, if you can get those contacts into the gas.

Or you could build a blocking oscillator using a transistor and the
primary (most conveniently, a center-tapped one) of a high-turns-ratio
transformer. The high non-linearity of the waveform will give you a
good jolt from the secondary, provided the insulation will take it.

Or you could combine the 2nd and 4th ideas into a capacitor discharge
ignition system.

Google on the key words to learn more.

Igniting gas is easy. Getting the air/fuel mixture right is the hard
part of building a decent potato gun

 

[Jamie]

just get your self one of those hand held stun devices that woman
have in their perse.
other wise it involses winding a coil and using capacitor
discharge much like a car coil system would do.

 

[budgie]

Hi

Hey ppl, Im trying to create a high voltage source to create a spark that
will be able to ignite (butane/propane) gas.
Im trying to generate a spark at least as big/powerful as a piezo starter,
like those found in ovens, water heaters etc...
The only catch is that i want to be able to run it from a source no larger
than ~16 VDC, (i.e. 2 x 9V batteries).
Also, I dont want it to be too large or too expensive.

Are you intending manufacture or seeking one for your own use? I have
twenty-year-old gas hotplates here with a single D cell powering the spark
igniters. The ignition circuitry takes up less space than the D cell. It may
pay to look for an existing commercial solution than reinvent the wheel - unless
that is your objective/passion.

 

[Vault 1013]

A homemade squib will do the job. Just wrap some very fine wire around
the head of a match and connect it to a battery. Actually, I imagine
the wire itself would get hot enough to ignite the gas before it melted.

Oh, you want an actual electrical spark? An automotive ignition coil
will generate a nice strong one. Connect it up like an old points-based
ignition with a push-button replacing the points.

A relay hooked up like a buzzer (coil power delivered through the NC
contacts) might do the trick, if you can get those contacts into the gas.

Or you could build a blocking oscillator using a transistor and the
primary (most conveniently, a center-tapped one) of a high-turns-ratio
transformer. The high non-linearity of the waveform will give you a
good jolt from the secondary, provided the insulation will take it.

Or you could combine the 2nd and 4th ideas into a capacitor discharge
ignition system.

Google on the key words to learn more.

Igniting gas is easy. Getting the air/fuel mixture right is the hard
part of building a decent potato gun

I've found most of what you are talking about

Thnx
Vault

*P.S Is it really that obvious what Im making...*

 

[Vault 1013]

Are you intending manufacture or seeking one for your own use? I have
twenty-year-old gas hotplates here with a single D cell powering the spark
igniters. The ignition circuitry takes up less space than the D cell. It may
pay to look for an existing commercial solution than reinvent the wheel - unless
that is your objective/passion.

I just want 1 for personal use, and maybe one for a mate.
Have U got anymore info on the igniter circuit.

Thnx
Vault

 

[budgie]

I just want 1 for personal use, and maybe one for a mate.
Have U got anymore info on the igniter circuit.

Nope, never bothered to pull it apart. Life's too short as it is, and it still
works ....

 

[Paul Burridge]

There used to be a French cigarette lighter that
ignited the gas with a spark, tradename "Calibri"
afair. It was based on an ignition coil powered
off a tiny 12v battery. No electronics, just a
mechanical switch.

I had a Calibri lighter like that, given to me as a Christmas present
in 1980. Up until 2001, it was still working on the original battery!
And even then it wasn't the battery that failed but the EHT insulation
that broke down.

 

[Fred Bloggs]

Hey ppl, Im trying to create a high voltage source to create a spark that
will be able to ignite (butane/propane) gas.
Im trying to generate a spark at least as big/powerful as a piezo starter,
like those found in ovens, water heaters etc...
The only catch is that i want to be able to run it from a source no larger
than ~16 VDC, (i.e. 2 x 9V batteries).
Also, I dont want it to be too large or too expensive.

You are WAY over your head doing this- the gas ignitor is a HIGH
RELIABILITY design that in addition to ignition prevents explosion and
fire due to intermittent operation or failure. If you have to ask how to
produce a "spark" then you are unqualified.

 

[Ian Stirling]

*P.S Is it really that obvious what Im making...*

I'd go for a butane operated low-performance firearm of some sort.
Be aware that in some legislations this will be just as illegal as
making a real gun (though you may be able to get permits).
Also, you must NEVER use PVC for the barrel.
HDPE.

 

[Paul Burridge]

I'd go for a butane operated low-performance firearm of some sort.
Be aware that in some legislations this will be just as illegal as
making a real gun (though you may be able to get permits).
Also, you must NEVER use PVC for the barrel.

I think you can if it's bound up with close-wound coils of suitable
strength rope.

 

[Ian Stirling]

I think you can if it's bound up with close-wound coils of suitable
strength rope.

That'll contain the shards (maybe).
You'r unlikely to keep it under enough tension to keep the tension
below the very low fracture threshold of PVC.
PVC really, really sucks for some things.
HDPE is nice, as it's stable, and does not fracture into shards
like PVC.

 

[Keith R. Williams]

I'd go for a butane operated low-performance firearm of some sort.
Be aware that in some legislations this will be just as illegal as
making a real gun (though you may be able to get permits).

....perfectly legal here (then so are "real" guns). Cheap hair-
spray is the normal PG fuel (and works for wasps/hornets too).

Also, you must NEVER use PVC for the barrel.

Not a problem. Sched-80 is just fine, it simply needs some small
mods. ...or so I'm told.

 

[Ian Stirling]

...perfectly legal here (then so are "real" guns). Cheap hair-
spray is the normal PG fuel (and works for wasps/hornets too).

Where are you?
I believe that in most of the states, it is covered by firearms legislation.

 

[budgie]

(snip)

Cheap hair-
spray is the normal PG fuel (and works for wasps/hornets too).

Woohoo!! Can't wait to hear the reports of the cans exploding. (They do).

 

[Ian Stirling]

(snip)



Woohoo!! Can't wait to hear the reports of the cans exploding. (They do).

No they don't, unless dramatically overheated.