Igniters

[scottluther1369]

I don't know if this is the right place for this question (still learning my way around) but what exactly makes up an ignitor? I ask this because my understand was it was creating enough head (a short?) to ignite the rocket engine. I though if I used a thin wire and used 14 volts on a Micro Maxx engine I could ignite it but it didn't work. What exactly is happening with the ignitor? Is there a cheap way to make them so they are reliable for very small engines such as the Micro Maxx engines?
thank you
--Scott (the newbie)

 

[BlueNinja]

Nichrome is most often used for igniters. Get some on Ebay, around 3-4$ for a 50ft? spool. I made 40 full igniters (1ft long, with a 1" or so pyrogen head, solderless method with wire-wrap) and still have a ton of the stuff left.

 

[shreadvector]

Igniter wire is NOT simply "wire". It is "Resistance Wire" It heats up when current passes through it. Regular wire will not heat up until a HUGE amount of current is forced through it.

Igniters use Nicrome wire. Same wire inside your toaster and blow dryer and electric blanket or heated massage chair.

It comes in different diameters. Small wire will burn through real fast and not generate much heat. Thick wire will heat up slower but if you have a strong battery it will heat up to "molten metal" temperatures.

32 ga. nichrome is best for most medium sized power sources.

Originally posted by scottluther1369
I don't know if this is the right place for this question (still learning my way around) but what exactly makes up an ignitor? I ask this because my understand was it was creating enough head (a short?) to ignite the rocket engine. I though if I used a thin wire and used 14 volts on a Micro Maxx engine I could ignite it but it didn't work. What exactly is happening with the ignitor? Is there a cheap way to make them so they are reliable for very small engines such as the Micro Maxx engines?
thank you
--Scott (the newbie)