Pre-made E-matches are specifically regulated by the U.S. Congress as an explosive device. The Firewire Initiator is the first one that has the approval of the government as being non-regulated! So you don't need an explosives permit to buy these igniters.
This allows you to use e-matches without having to dip the starter-chipboards into pyrogen yourself. It saves you time and allows you to get out and fly rockets right now.
E-matches are best used for when you need a low-current option for setting them off. They are often used with onboard rocket electronics because they use smaller batteries that are not powerful enough to set of igniters like the Aerotech First Fire series. This makes them very useful for dual-deployment ejection charges, and for air-starting motors where the rocket is already in the air (like clustered motors or strap-on booster pods).
The Firewire Initiators come with the red shipping cap and can be used with the E-match Mate ejection charge canisters.
They can also be used for ground starting rocket motors, particularly the Cesaroni brand of rocket motors that are designed to be started by e-matches.
- Lead wire length: 36 inches (91.4 cm)
- Bridgewire Resistance: 1 ohm +/- .2 ohms
- Maximum No-Fire Current: .30 amp (300milliamp)
- Minimum All-Fire Current: .60 amp (600 milliamp)
- Recommended Minimum Firing Current: .75 amp
- Recommended Nominal Firing Current: 1.00 amp
- Maximum Test Current: .04 amp (40 milliamp)
Product | P/N | Qty/ Pack | Length | Fits Part | Price | Buy Now! |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Estes StarTech™ Motor Starters (6pk) | 03077 | 1 | -- | -- | $9.60 |
|
Firewire Mini Initiator (6/pk) | 89866 | 1 | -- | -- | $20.63 |
|
Firewire Initiator (6/pk) | 89868 | -- | -- | -- | $20.63 |
|
Starter Chipboard (6 pack) | 89878 | -- | -- | -- | $8.05 |
|
Starter Chipboard (80 pack) | 89879 | -- | -- | -- | $62.94 |
|
FirstFire Mini - 8" long | 89899 | 1 | -- | -- | $17.67 |
|
Quest First Fire Micro Initiator Starters (3/pk) | 89893 | -- | -- | -- | $7.40 |
|
First Fire Jr. Starters | 89895 | 3 | 8" (20.32cm) |
E, F, G Motors | $17.67 |
|
Twiggy Starters | 89883 | 1 | -- | -- | $20.63 |
|
First Fire Starter for High Power Motors | 89894 | 3 | 36" (91.44cm) |
H motors and above | $18.81 |
|
Slim Gem Starters | 89884 | 1 | -- | -- | $24.38 |
|
Fat Boy Starters | 89885 | 1 | -- | -- | $31.88 |
|
QuickDip | 89889 | 1 | -- | -- | $64.58 |
|
E-match Starter Kit (makes 80 starters) | 89870 | -- | -- | -- | $94.21 |
|
ProCast Castable Pyrogen Mix - 7g Mini Size | 89890 | -- | -- | -- | $39.17 |
|
Conductive Starter Mix | 89891 | -- | -- | -- | $39.17 |
|
ProCast Castable Pyrogen Mix - 14g Large Size | 89886 | -- | -- | -- | $64.58 |
The Firewire Mini is basically a smaller version of the Firewire Initiator. The "MINI" uses the same pyrogen, but because of the smaller head size, it doesn't produce as much heat when it fires off. You should always ground test to make sure whatever you're initiating can be started by the smaller initiator.
Normally, the e-match type igniters aren't used to ignite composite motors unless the motor has a secondary ignition nugget inside them that can be lit by a e-match type starter. The Cesaroni motors are designed for this, but the Aerotech composite motors are not.
Here is what is available for Dual Deployment:
- Ematches - While these are regulated by the government and require a Low Explosives User Permit (LEUP) to purchase, you can make your own from a kit without a permit. Order the Starter Chipboards and some special igniter dip designed for low-current igniters. We also have (as of November 2018) an ATF approved non-regulated e-match called the Firewire Initiator and the Firewire Mini that does not require a LEUP! This would be the primary choice if you didn't want to dip your own Starter Chipboards.
- Rocket Ejection Capsules - These are a great, easy to use canister that not only has the igniter, but it holds the black powder too. They are one time use only, however, so you need to replace them each time.
- Make your own - you can make your own dual deployment igniters using the old style Christmas tree lightbulbs (non-LED). PerfectFlite has a couple of make-your-own information sheets for different types of igniters:
- Ematch substitute
- Christmas Tree Light Bulb Method (old, so parts may not be available)
Note: READ YOUR ALTIMETER MANUAL! Your altimeter manual will list the appropriate and inappropriate igniters for your model. Igniters/Starters from Estes or Aerotech will NOT work for dual deployment. They do not ignite properly, and will likely result in your parachute not deploying. This applies to using the altimeters for single deployment as well.
If the igniter will fit into the nozzle of your rocket motor, it will probably work fine for launching the rocket from the ground. But will the igniter fit? We made a special page called the igniter chooser that will help you determine if your igniter will fit into a specific rocket engine. You select the igniter, and it will create a list of all the rocket engines that igniter will fit into.
We have a special tool where you select a particular rocket motor, and it will display a list of ALL the kits that we recommend that motor. You'll find that tool here. It works great for that situation where you have an extra motor in your range box, and you don't know what kit it might work with.
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