Camera flash ignition

trigun · Sat Jan 31, 2009 1:30 am

I have wired up my camera flash ignition. I was wondering why the automotive relay is needed to trigger it. Why can't it got camera to switch to ignition coil. Also why is a 12 volt battery needed ?

TurboSuper · Sat Jan 31, 2009 10:51 am

Some people (like the one who wrote that article) have it in their heads that the switch contacts will weld together if you discharge the cap through them. I think they're all crazy, frankly. The relay is designed to safely discharge the cap through the ignition coil (they can handle a large current)- you need 12V to activate the relay.

trigun · Sat Jan 31, 2009 1:30 pm

Thank you so if i go buy a heav duty switch i'll have no problems and i can just switch that to fire. B -E-A-Utiful

TurboSuper · Sat Jan 31, 2009 2:44 pm

Most likely, I was using a relatively small push button switch to fire a camera-flash powered coilgun I built and it worked great. good luck 8)

jimmy163 · Sat Jan 31, 2009 4:31 pm

Hi, I am building a camera flash ignitor but with no coil. Just the very basic one.

I have wired it all up and get some nice sparks by shorting it out. However when I have it in the 3 wire config, 2 from cap and 1 from trigger, it does not spark.

Is there a website which outlines each step with decent pictures?

TurboSuper · Sat Jan 31, 2009 4:47 pm

Google "camera flash ignition"; everyone and their grandma has a page on ways to (mis)use disposable cameras.

jimmy163 · Sat Jan 31, 2009 4:55 pm

I have been on loads but they never show easy to follow photos. They only show like 2 pictures for the entire process.

Is there anyway I could incorporate a rotary sparker to the combustion chamber? I guess not.

I cant get a spark using my switch unless i strike the wires together manually.

Hmmmm

So do I put the 'fire' switch on the trigger wire or one of the other 2 wires? Or does it not matter?

trigun · Sat Jan 31, 2009 10:03 pm

Jimmy- i don't know how old you are but try to go to a junkyard and get an ignition coil. It is well worth the junkyards 5 dollar price. If the size is the problem try to find an old atv or something and they have a smaller coil.

Also the 3 prong ionizer setup is not so good do to the fact that it ionizes the air and then slowly or quickly will erode your prongs. This means costant adjustment.

When i completely finish mine i will post pictures that should be fairly easy to follow.

TurboSuper · Sat Jan 31, 2009 10:19 pm

I think all these camera flash circuits are kinda silly- a cheap piezo sparker from an old BBQ works just as well...

trigun · Sat Jan 31, 2009 10:21 pm

The camera flash is for a hybrid I'm building so it is sort of a need more than a want.