If you're making a potato gun (potato cannon, spud gun, potato launcher or whatever you call it!) this is usually the hardest part to get right. It's best installed on a PVC potato gun so the electrodes are insulated. It could be installed on a steel one but you'll need to find a way to insulate the electrodes from the chamber so it doesn't short out the spark.
The electrodes are the right length for a potato gun with 100mm diameter combustion chamber. For smaller pipes just cut the brass rod shorter so the electrodes meet in the middle of the pipe for the best burn.
This design is good because the piezo is mounted on the outside of the combustion chamber. So the piezo will never melt or let gas pressure escape when firing. And there's no chance of the piezo being blown out which is a little dangerous.
PARTS INCLUDED
2 x Electrode screws with brass rod inserts
2 x Electrode washers
1 x Pushbutton piezo igniter
2 x Piezo connection wires
1 x Slotted PVC piezo holder
1 x PVC piezo holder clip
PIEZO SPECIFICATIONS
Minimum output voltage 17,000 volts
Minimum piezo element operations 33,000
Piezo electric operation - does not need batteries!
ABBREVIATED INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
1. Plug the wires onto the piezo igniter.
2. Drill two 5.5mm holes, 35mm apart half way along your combustion chamber.
3. Put the holder clip over the short pipe and then the piezo inside the pipe.
4. Put the washers on the electrode screws and the electrodes in the clip holes.
5. Screw both screws in part way.
6. Line up the wires and cut off the excess, strip 5mm insulation.
7. Put screws in all the way in. If the tips are not in centre of combustion chamber then mark for cutting.
8. Remove the electrodes and cut to length. Sharpen the tips with P180 sandpaper, sparks jump best from a point.
9. Reassemble and this time put the wires under the washers. If you don't want to get a shock put insulation tape over the screw heads.
10. Adjust the electrode tips to be about 5mm apart to get a strong spark when pushing the piezo.
For full installation instructions go to www.testntools.co.nz/installing-your-potato-gun-piezo-ignition-kit.html
ABOUT POTATO GUNS
Despite what a lot of people think potato guns are NOT illegal in New Zealand but you do need a firearms license to own and use one (a bit of common sense helps too). This applies to combustion type potato guns, i.e. the sort that use deoderant, hairspray or similar gas fuel. Because they make an explosion (like the gunpowder in an ammunition round) to propel the projectile they are technically classed as a firearm.
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