How To Make Electric Matches Using Skylighters Electric Match Heads

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Learn how to make electric matches, also known as squibs or igniters, using firework chemicals and electric match heads available from Skylighter.

Materials Needed

Skylighter's electric match heads are made comparable to Davey Fire electric matches, each has a thin nichrome wire wrap to convert electrical energy to heat. A minimum of 0.5 amperes will cause the nichrome wire to heat and then break open in a fraction of a second. Therefore an extremely heat sensitive electric match composition must first be applied to the tip of the electric match.

The electric match composition that provides this heat sensitivity is called a primer. WARNING: Primers burn and primers explode. Therefore it is important to use as little primer as possible, and then overcoat the primer with another electric match composition that is less sensitive but will take fire from the primer and give a flame spread to the electric match.

Here is a method for making electric matches that produces excellent results:

First twin lead wires should be soldered to the electric match head. Cut a piece of twin-lead Shooting Wire to length. Split the two leads apart and strip about 1/4 inch of insulation from each lead. Solder one lead on one flat side of the electric match head, and the other lead on the other side. Make sure you solder these to the back end of the electric match, the widest part. This leaves the narrow part, the tip; clear so it can be coated with the electric match composition.
Coat electric match tip (1/32 inch to 1/16 inch) with primer using the formula below. Allow electric matches to dry approximately 1 hour.
Recoat with H3/NC or Meal D/NC, one half to two-thirds of the full length of the electric match. Allow drying overnight. NC is nitrocellulose lacquer. H3 is Shimizu's formula of 75% potassium chlorate + 25% charcoal, airfloat. Meal D is a very fine commercial black powder. High quality, ball milled black powder will work, too.
A final coat of 5% Nitrocellulose lacquer is optional but is recommended.

Primer (also known as Dark Flash)

This formula is well known to be friction and impact sensitive. Therefore it is critical to make and use as little as possible.

Mixing instructions:

To 5 grams of 200 mesh or finer potassium chlorate, mix a 5% nitrocellulose lacquer solution to achieve a syrupy consistency.

Add 5 grams of antimony trisulfide (200 mesh or finer) to this mix. Stir gently until a smooth homogenous mixture is obtained. Add more NC lacquer to maintain a syrup consistency. If it starts to harden or thicken, thin it with acetone.

We recommend testing 5% of each batch made, once your electric matches are dry. Use a "AA" battery to apply voltage to the electric matches lead wires. The finished electric match should give a small snap and then burst into flame, similar to a book match.

Also be sure to check the continuity of all electric matches with an electric match tester. This is a specially made low-voltage continuity tester that will tell you if your electric match will fire. A standard continuity tester will not work, it generates so much current it will actually fire the electric match. Skylighter electric match testers are roughly the size of a half-dollar. It has a 3-volt lithium battery, which should last five years or more, and a red LED light. The measured current through a typical electric match and lighting the LED is less than 10 milliamps (mA). Although well below the 50 mA maximum test limit, all precautions should be taken. All personnel should be distant from devices under test. Especially if you make your own electric ematches, you should always test your electric matches before attempting to use them.

To learn more about electric ignition read these:

"Make Your Own Electric Match"
"Homemade Ignition System"

Learn more about Electric Firing