Building a new ignition, need input

[Pete Zaria]

Background:
I have an ABS combustion canon with metered propane injection, dual 1/4" spark gaps (made of steel bolts and washers), 80mm chamber fan, interchangeable barrels, currently using a BBQ sparker.
I know I'm getting the gas mix correct (right around 4%) but I usually have to click the BBQ sparker 5-6 times, and sometimes it won't ignite at all. However, 10 minutes later, it works with the same amount of gas, so I've decided it must be the sparker.

Situation:
I'm sick (and thus have a day or two off from work), so I decided I might as well work on my spudgun
I have a ton of parts laying around (several old computers and monitors, cameras, car parts, project boxes, batteries, etc...) and I'd like to build a better ignition. I've read articles on this forum and the spud wiki about camera flash ignitions, flybacks, ignition coils, etc... My question is, which do you think would be reasonably easy to build out of parts I probably have, and would function better than a BBQ sparker? Could someone point me towards a set of plans?

Thanks a ton. I really appreciate everything I've learned from this site.

Peace,
Pete Zaria.

[Jakal444]

You clearly have a lot of parts, so I would suggest many capacitors or make use of the back E.M.F. of a coil.

Otherwise search the site for the link to that page hosted by angelfire with all you need to know about camera flash ignition.

I was reading the topic with the link earlier tonight, however I can't seem to find it again....

[zvallance1]

your best bet would be to make a flyback with your old tv's/moniters

if you can get around town though, head to a local auto parts store and ask nicely for an old ignition coil (i just put on a big smile and asked for one for my "science project" and they willingly gave me 3 or 4 old, but working coils)

yuo can then hook it up to a 9 volt battery or camera flash (searching for "how to use an igniton coil" on google, will show you how to wire it up) and you have one helluva spark =)

[Pete Zaria]

I'll go get an ignition coil and some heavily insulated wire. If anyone happens to have a diagram thats proven to work well, please post it?

Thanks a bunch everyone. I really do appreciate the help.

Peace,
Pete Zaria.

[zvallance1]

If anyone happens to have a diagram thats proven to work well, please post it?

well 1st here the diagram, exactly what i use, and i get consistent 3/4 inch sparks with a 9 volt....1.5" - 2" with a camera flash

http://www.sentex.net/~mwandel/cannon/sparky.png

as for the heavily insulate wire, im using some old wire i have my surround sound speakers hooked up with, and thats more than adaquate

[taranathicus]

http://www.spudfiles.com/forums/viewtop ... 2&lighter=& i just wrote a hot to on that last week if you have problems with the crappiness of the drawing message me and ill help