Electronic Pyrotechnic Ignition on Automation?

[geeklabs 1]

I know people must be thinking that I'm crazy. But this is something a client of mine asked for. Are there any crazy people who have tried automation with Pyrotechnics?

We need to achieve something like this:

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P.S I know this is not safe, but the client needs it for a place that simulates an arena.

[Dalle1985 16]

If you have the pyrotechnics its quite easy. Proffesional pyrotechnics often have electronic ignitors, so you just need a z-wave relay to control the electronic impulse for the ignitor. You do have to have a double safe system though. So you need a primary arming switch which cuts the impulse ahead of the zwave relays so you can work on the pyrotechnics without the risk of radiointerference activating the relays inadvertently. So a master arm switch is needed.

But why go through all this hazzle and the added risk of using an open cpmmunication protocol? There are wireless pyrotechnics systems available which can work over wifi and which is much more reliable and safer.

Personally, I wouldn't trust zwave for something as dangerous as pyrotechnics. You really do need a purpose built system!

[geeklabs 1]

If you have the pyrotechnics its quite easy. Proffesional pyrotechnics often have electronic ignitors, so you just need a z-wave relay to control the electronic impulse for the ignitor. You do have to have a double safe system though. So you need a primary arming switch which cuts the impulse ahead of the zwave relays so you can work on the pyrotechnics without the risk of radiointerference activating the relays inadvertently. So a master arm switch is needed.

But why go through all this hazzle and the added risk of using an open cpmmunication protocol? There are wireless pyrotechnics systems available which can work over wifi and which is much more reliable and safer.

Personally, I wouldn't trust zwave for something as dangerous as pyrotechnics. You really do need a purpose built system!

Thanks Dalle1985 that was a very well explained answer. I really hope to find a simple way of achieving it.

[Dalle1985 16]

I've only played around with amateur rockets, but the ignitors are the same... What you need is a main breaker which cuts the main supply to the ignitors off. Then in between you put your zwave relays to control the individual pieces of pyrotechnics. But as I mentioned, I really would consider a professional control panel for this sort of stuff... It is way outside the safety limits of zwave!

[JanJoh 1]

I really hope to find a simple way of achieving it.

Cobra has systems for pretty much all sizes.

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[fuuss 25]

Hi

It depends what your client really wants. For shooting firework using non encrypted , non double checked signal seems to be really scary. Nevertheless there are systems out there that are less safer than Zwave. Besides of the non safety risk , the distances of zwave seems to kill the process. But as I said it depends what your client want. Just to say I am a professional Pyrotechnician , and I see some ideas you could incorporate Zwave.

For example your have a bar , and using indoor safe pyrotechical stuff , like this cake fontains, or confetti shooter ect . As Dalle told you , you can use the electric ignitors directly to a Zwave module , what would be one shot . Better would be you buy a stepper

Something like this

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There you trigger everytime the zwave module is turn on a new queue , or even a whole sequence.

For example , you want to shoot a confetti bomb everytime somebody order a bottle of Champagne . Door Sensor .... a lot of confetti shooters ... a zwave Module , an everytime somebody open the fridge .....baaaaaaam.....

This is an example , but just to be clear , this stuff is nice for indoor use , using Zwave for real Firework .. not so good idea .

Would you be so kind and tell us what exactly your client want ?