Igniters For Single Use BP Motors and Cluster BP Motors

Looking for some 1st hand advice from my fellow rocketeers.

I'm trying to determine what igniters are pretty much fool proof for Estes D motors & Aerotek E15's, 20's and 30's.

My Lifting Rocket requires cluster firing (3) D12's and an E-15 all simultaneously. And since it's a canted tractor motor design if one or two of the D's don't fire it'll arc over like a rainbow.

I'm planning a 12v launch system that uses an automotive style battery, so amps aren't an issue.

The stock igniters that came with the D12's I have use a 28 ga. wire, and also have the white plugs. Are those reliable?

I've read a lot about various tips and tricks... but I'd like to use something off the shelf if there is good quality igniters available.

Attachments below show the rocket and the fixture that holds the launch controller lead wires.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

the first issue at hand is difference in start times.
AT E's are AP propellant and take a bit longer to pressurize than Estes BP motors.

Can you use all BP motors? Things get real simple then.
I use E-matches to light BP instantly..... they are low current [1.5v coin cell will fire them] and easy to use, also cheap.
Non issue for 12v system you can light dozens at one time.
Everyone I have shown this to swears by them after giving it a try.

If you must use an ammonium perchlorate motor {AT] then you must account for ignition time difference and be able to start the central motor, once pressurized, then the BP's....or the BP will light first and lift off...UNLESS you use a really long lead for the AP say 8ft to allow for some movement up rail while the AP lights. Use Blue Thunder AT motors, they are the easiest to light, with a typical supplied igniter.

Hope someone else has another suggestion.
By the way...that's a fantastic project you built. Kudos!

blackjack2564 said:

Can you use all BP motors? ...
By the way...that's a fantastic project you built. Kudos!

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Thanks Blackjack!

I can use all BP motors, that was the original plan. The Aerotek E15's just give me a bit of insurance.

I guess I could build a locking mechanism that holds the rocket on the rod until all the motors fire... that would be wild.

I used a six D12-cluster with Blackjack's e-matches last year on my N-1 and they worked fine. The long leads were really convenient. They were so convenient I decided to wire them in parallel rather than series. It seemed like wiring them either way was easy. One thing that took me awhile was that I tamped the e-matches in-place with tissue paper. If there is a faster way, I would like to know about it. It looks like Blackjack just simply tapes them in-place in post #2. Does that work? I think someone told me that e-matches can be held in place with that ticky-tack stuff that is used in children's crafts.

For Future Reference....

https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/improving-igniters.173377/#post-2300908

I've switched to these and never looked back.
https://electricmatch.com/rocketry/see/23/6/bp-rocket-starters

shockie said:

I've switched to these and never looked back.
https://electricmatch.com/rocketry/see/23/6/bp-rocket-starters

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Those look great for BP clusters. But gosh, $14 shipping for 20 starters $14... Wow.

cls said:

Those look great for BP clusters. But gosh, $14 shipping for 20 starters $14... Wow.

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Have the club go in on a bulk buy. That $14 becomes much easier when split over 14 people

PayLoad said:

https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/hellfire-electric-matches-igniters.174728/

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Do the ematches fit in a BP motor nozzle?

Yup

PayLoad said:

https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/hellfire-electric-matches-igniters.174728/

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Are these legal? I know that MJG had to do a lot of work to get their starters to not require a LEUP to purchase and store.

Of course - these do not require LEUP