SpudFiles

do ignitors need to recharge after 20-30 clicks? o noticed i have to reduce the gap between the nails in order for spark to jump, the more times i click the shorter the distance has to be .

i never had that problem. is you mean like a normal bbq, then no because thats now how they work. what will cause the spark to go down is corrosion, if you are using deodorant for propellant then that may be whats causing it, so maybe replace the nails.

Please note that there are many kinds of ignition methods you could use: http://www.spudfiles.com/spud_wiki/inde ... on_sources
If we're talking about piezoelectric BBQ igniters, then they should have consistent performance (i.e. no, they don't).

i cleaned the nails, still a weak spark

i bought a lighter ignitor(electric, click lighter thingys) and a bbq ignitor, looks the same lol. both get weaker and weaker the more i use it

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I noticed something similar to what you are experienceing. I'm guessing when a high voltage spark is produced via the piezoelctric effect, all the charge must be drained if the next reaction is to produce the same voltage. If the spark gap is too far apart, too much energy is wasted ionizing the air in between the electrodes, so not all the power is drained. This is just a theory, but It seems to explain power loss in BBQ ignitors... One thing i noticed when the electrodes are far apart is after the electricity fails to arc across the gap, some of the carge is still stored in the ignitor.(i.e. a capacitor)

i wonder if it takes a certain amount of time for the charge to dissipate before it will work like new again?

What worked for me was just touching the hot electrode after every shot. This way the charge stored inside will be realeased instantly.

touching with your hand?

Yah. You can hardly even feel it. Quotes on after...

yh i think that helps lol.