Combustion circuit from scratch (need help)

[)DEMON(]

I would like to make a combustion circuit. I don't know if it is possable though. I have thought about it and from what I understand a camera flash circiut is just a power source, a capacitor and a switch to discharge the capacitor. With resistors and so one.

Couldn't I make a simple circuit that will make a spark to ignight a combustion mix? I don't think I need multiple sparks.

Although if it is this simple would it not have been done already?

So if I could do this, having all the tools, what would be on my 'shopping list'?

Could a timer also be added to the circuit? An electrical chip or something that delayed the discharge after the switch is closed?

I would appreciate some help as I don't know exactly what I am doing.

[deusXmachina]

I've experimented with camera flash circuits, and while they are a blast to trick your friends into grabbing and zapping themselves, I've had a lot of trouble using them to draw a spark.

If you're not going the stun gun route, I would suggest getting your hands on a neon sign transformer and/or automotive ignition coil. You could also try building a voltage multiplier that runs off of 60Hz 120VAC (wall outlet).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voltage_multiplier

You might need to get some high-voltage capacitors and diodes, you can find them quite easily on the net if you look.

[Recruit]

How about using a barbacue ignitor to ionize the air so the camera cap can strike wouldn't that work.

[Hotwired]

You might as well just use the barbecue igniter then

[Recruit]

I know but.... it still would make the cap go off.

[Bubba05]

better off useing the BBQ ingniter!! sounds tricky but it could work. seen sillyer things out there. the trick would be getting a big enough spark outa it. get it to arc properly and it should to the trick. 2 gold plated amp plugs would do a treat. i have seen ignition coil set up that use an actual spark plug to get the spark. this also requires a car battery to fire but they go pritty good!!

[deusXmachina]

The BBQ ionization trick works pretty well, although it has a lot of reliability issues. I'm still a big fan of high voltages, they do the job nicely.

If you have a metal chamber and want something SUPER reliable, you can make a dead man's switch with the ends wrapped with steel wool and connected to a wall plug via switch. Nothing initiates combustion like burning steel fibres

[)DEMON(]

Yeh, I forgot to mension that I wanted to make this for my combustion paintball grenade, thats what the delay is for.

Right now I am leaning into a pneumatic but that will mean a mechanical delay valve. I am having trouble designing a mecanical valve, that is small, reliable and tough. I could make a sprinkler valve grenade but that will be bulky and fragile.

Back to the drawing bourd I guess.

(lol, if someone can design a simple mechanical, high pressure, reliable, re-usable, small valve, that has a few second delay can have all my spudbux )

[Scope]

if you are confident enough with your abilitys make a flyback transformer.

[Recruit]

Demonm use a simple 4 dollar clock/watch the a wires for you ingition system switch hooked up to it so after you turn on the clock/watch it ticks down to detination.

[Bubba05]

I like the clock/watch set n forget!! sounds kewl!!