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<i>{ discussion trimmed to reduce size of email }</i><br>
<br>
Having done much model rocketry in my life, and having constructed
launcher systems I have some points you might want to consider:<br>
<br>
I've never seen or built a system using a 6V lantern battery.
Almost always I have used a 12 V sealed lead-acid battery like those
in UPS systems or an old car battery. You want an inrush current of
near 10 amps for a few milliseconds. <br>
<br>
Regular 24-ga CAT-5 wire can handle about 750 mA (0.75 A) continuous
at 12 V with plenty of headroom. I used to do radio-station control
systems on 25-pair 22-ga telephone wire where the currents were
regularly 1 A at 12 V. For rocket igniter purposes, CAT-5 is more
than adequate.<br>
<br>
With the amperages you measured, they are way too low. If you put a
100-ohm 5 W resister in place of the igniter and measure the current
when you press a button for a few seconds, you should see around 120
mA (0.120 A).<br>
<br>
It sounds like if you replace the battery with a 12 V rechargeable
sealed lead-acid battery, all your woes will be solved.<br>
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<pre class="moz-signature" cols="80">--
Scott G. Hall
Raleigh, NC, USA
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:ScottGHall1@GMail.Com">ScottGHall1@GMail.Com</a></pre>
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