At the recent Estes NARAM plant tour, we saw the igniter machine in operation. Somebody mentioned the clear igniter tip was nothing more than corn starch, glue and water.
So, the clear tip is water soluble.
I bent the wire ends over the top lip glass of water and let the clear tip soak for a few minutes.
The softened clear tip came off pretty easily. The bridge wire top loop is delicate. Go easy when knocking off the clear tip.
These two bare wire starters (shown below) got the Fabri-Tac glue and powdered black powder applied.
It was apparent the clear tipped igniters took a moment longer to heat before the black powder treatment would flame.
The igniters with the clear tip removed flamed up much faster than the igniters with the clear tips.
The clear tips slowed up the heating of the bridge wire.
The clear tips slowed up the heating of the bridge wire.
So, there you go! If you add an additional step, the Estes Starters can be further improved.
Nice! Thanks Chris
ReplyDeleteThanks for clearly identifying what the problem is with these igniters. I'm taking all the rest of mine and doing what you suggest here. I've got BP and nitrocellulose-based nail polish and they will all get coated. In fact, I'm gonna get a spool of nichrome wire (#31) and make all my own igniters from here on out, with this pyrogen. Sick of misfires or wimpy igniters.
ReplyDeleteGreat Don,
DeleteI hope it helps. I see faster ignitions even on a standard Estes 6 volt controller.