Electric matches for deployment: Where to buy?

Phil · Trainee Joined: May 04, 2008 Posts: 1

I am just getting back into high power rocketry after a 2-year hiatus and can't find a place to buy low current electric matches for deployment. I have an AltAcc 2C altimeter and have always used HiRMI igniters purchased at BlackSky. Unfortunately, the webstore has been closed and I can't seem to find any rocket vendors selling igniters. I understand that Daveyfire igniters will work as well but again, I can't find anybody selling them (except for Coast Rocketry in Canada that can't ship them to the USA). Does anybody know where I can find low current igniters for deployment?

kgholloway · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 8:55 am Post subject:

The problem with electric matches is that they are now considered to be explosives by the BATFE. Consequently they can not be sold to anyone who does not have an LEUP.

I recommend the "ejection cannisters" sold by Pratt Hobbies (www.pratthobbies.com). They are based upon low voltage light bulb filaments and so are not regulated. I do, however, also recommend redundant altimeters when using these cannisters as I have never seen a scientific study on their reliability compared to electric matches.

Ken Holloway
NAR #78336, L-II

troj · Fleet Captain Joined: Jun 30, 2007 Posts: 1506

Newton's 3rd Rocketry also sells some nice little cannisters, but they're temporarily unable to produce product, due to illness. Expect them to be back by the end of the month.

-Kevin

newtons3rd · Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 11:16 am Post subject:

Back and all items are in stock....

troj · Fleet Captain Joined: Jun 30, 2007 Posts: 1506

jimzcatz · Trainee Joined: Aug 04, 2007 Posts: 1

newtons3rd · Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 7:02 pm Post subject:

I think they were referring to the small xmas light strings. I have built some for test but really never felt secure using them. Some people report that they have great success though, so certainly are another option. As for flashcubes and AG-1 bulbs I used them for a long time with 100% success for chute ejection as well as sustainer ignition (with thermalite).

SpartaChris · Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 8:58 pm Post subject:

Firefox sells e-match heads that you simply solder your own leads to. They also sell an e-match pyrogen, or you could use the one that Rockitflite makes.

kgholloway · Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 2:43 pm Post subject:

Sorry for not getting back to you earlier Jim, but I was not referring to flash bulbs in my previous posting. Having worked both as an electronics technician, and as a coal/nuclear power plant operator, I've been trained to refer to incandescent bulbs rated at < 110 VAC/DC as being "low voltage".

If you think about it you are using a 9 VDC battery to trigger your e-match equivalent. Therefore you need a bulb with a filament rated at <= 9 volts to get hot enough to ignite your ejection charge. Christmas tree bulbs are therefore ideal for this application.

Ken Holloway
NAR #78336, L-II