Project
Incendio ignition test.

Construction

• This test solved the ignition problems experienced with the 513 flight where only two of the four engines lit because of resistance problems associated with the generator. The size of the igniters was increased to hold more Kno3 / Sugar / Sulfur powder. Each igniter was made with 18 AWG stranded wire separated by a 1.5" length of cannon fuse and wrapped together with nickel chromium wire. A 2" length of balloon was used to hold the powder around the igniter and a zip tie was used to secure the top.
• During the test, the exact configuration that will be used with the 526 flight was tested to insure its reliability. A 2500 Watt generator was wired 10' away from the test with the hot leg of the circuit switched with a pressure switch. A 150' length of 1/4" vinyl tubing was used to activate the pressure switch with a small 25 cu. ft. CO2 bottle and regulator.
• igniters were placed in 3/4" copper pipes to simulate engine cores.

Pros

• Inexpensive and easy to make.
• igniters can be considered reliable if a sufficient power source is available.
• The use of a pressure switch means the project can be set off from any distance without a voltage drop.

Cons

• None.

Pictures

• All five igniters being tested for continuity.
• igniters in copper pipes to simulate and engine core.
• Pressure switch wired to generator.
• igniters on test stand.
• CO2 bottle and regulator. A nitrogen bottle will be used in the future to prolong the life of the pressure switch.
• A video capture set of stills from a 1/2" copper stub-out star igniter that did not work.

Video

• Ignition test.
• A 1/2" copper stub-out igniter with a center fire pattern.
• A 1/2" copper stub-out igniter with a star fire pattern that blew-up.

CAD Drawings

• None.