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Ignition and Fan Control Box

Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 10:29 pm
by mark.f
Well, this certainly isn't the best. Nothing real fancy like 100 kV output or remote ignition, but I figured for a guy like me who didn't know the difference between series and parallel circuits a few months ago (learned a lot in physics class this year), it's pretty good.

This will be for my next project. Don't ask anything about it because I don't like divulging volatile details.

Anyways, it controls the fan (runs off of 18 volts... only two volts above the maximum rated voltage), and the ignition is mounted in it. I originally was planning to use a small ignition coil and capacitor to produce the spark, but for now I bought a $16 electronic BBQ sparker from Wally World and used that.

Don't have any pictures, but I do have a small video of it working. The jury-rigged spark gap in this video is just one output of the igniter (there are two outputs, one for the main grill and another for the side burner). I will use both outputs to get a total of three gaps in the chamber. The LED was accomplished by wiring a 560-ohm resistor and LED in parallel with the fan, and the switch wired in series before each leg.

Anyways, here's the video.

Here lies a dead YouTube video :(

In the end, current will be transferred to the fan and spark gaps through the screws that hold the box in place on the chamber and some other small #6 brass threaded rod.

Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 10:32 pm
by biggsauce
Thats pretty slick mac, should maefor a clean clean cannon.

Whered you get your fan?

Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 10:40 pm
by mark.f
I got it from radioshack.

Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 10:59 pm
by biggsauce
Ah ok, didn't know they had 16v fans... cool

Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 11:39 am
by mark.f
They're not 16v fans, they're 12 volts typical but can go up to 16 volts. Besides, most people run their fans off of 18 volts anyway.

Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 9:23 pm
by Blitz
Nice Mark! Now you gotta run it off an AGM cell like mine. :D

Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 7:03 pm
by mark.f
Nah... 9 volts work fine. At least I actually bought battery clips this time instead of just electrical taping a battery pack together with my patented "bent wire" 9v connectors. :roll:

Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 7:24 pm
by Blitz
Yeah, I decided to buy a few pairs of alligator clips myself. Much more convenient.

Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 9:32 pm
by TurboSuper
Lol, I remember when my "battery holders" comprised of film canisters and tin foil.

Good times :D