M57 fireing device...."clacker"
i got one of these off the board a few days ago in hopes of using it to fire "E-matches" and model rockets. i put my finger on both contact points and clicked it a number of times and i didn't get a shock, i went to both the 1st click and 2nd click. is this fixable or am i doing something wrong?
It won't shock you. Too low a voltage. Get a small flashlight bulb, like that in a 2 AA cell mini maglight, and touch the bulb with the probes where the + and - are, and clack it in a dark room. It should dimly flash the bulb. If not, either bad bulb or bad clacker. Also, I doubt it would fire E matches. Not enough voltage. They are meant to be used with blasting caps. GROG
Although I haven't tried it, I would think you could fire an electric match with a claymore clacker.
Most honest-to-god firing devices have a capacitor that charges/discharges, but they are usually rated for 50 caps or so. The M57 is piezo electric. Many electric matches have the similar power requirements to caps, though, so give it a shot. Let us know how it works. I think it will work.
Tried it, doesn't work. It also doesn't work on commercial blasting caps. Tried that too. GROG
i pulled it apart and it seems like everything works inside but i'm going to make it into just a regular push button switch that will run off an external battery box. i may be able to wire up a 9V inside it so it would "work" like a real clacker....... not too sure yet
M57 firing device.
(a) One M57 electrical firing device is issued with each M18A1. This device is a hand-held pulse generator. A squeeze of the handle produces a double (one positive, one negative) 3-volt electric pulse of sufficient energy to fire the electric blasting cap through the 100 feet of firing wire which is issued with the mine. The M57 device is 4 inches long, approximately 1 1/2 inches wide, 3 1/4 inches high, and weighs three-fourths of a pound. On one end of the firing device is a rubber connecting plug with a dust cover. The M57 firing device is shown in figure 5.
(c) The M57 electrical firing device and firing wire should not be discarded after initial use. Another electric blasting cap can be attached to the firing wire and the M57 device can be used to fire other devices, such as fougasse bombs and demolition charges, provided no more than 100 feet of firing wire and one M6 blasting cap are used.
**(2) M4 electric blasting cap. The M4 electric blasting cap assembly (fig. 7) consists of an M6 electric blasting cap attached to 100 feet of firing wire. Attached to the firing wire connection is a combination shorting plug and dust cover. The shorting plug prevents accidental functioning of the blasting cap by static electricity; the dust cover prevents dirt and moisture from entering the connector. The firing wire is wrapped around a flat paper and then rolled to form a package 6 inches long, 4 inches wide, and 2 inches high. A piece of insulating tape is used to hold the package together.
Should work... 3 volts. Check your firing device, and check to see what your matches will fire at. Some matches may need more time for the bridgewire to heat, but it should push a standard blasting cap. The cap on a claymore is a standard military cap, which fires at about the same energy levels as a civilian cap.
Yes, the M57 is a pulse generator. It does not sustain current long enough of duration to function a black match like the ones used in model rocketry. It also does not function the commercial blasting caps I have, which are brand new stock. Perhaps it could function some, but not the ones I have. GROG
Originally Posted By grog18b:
Yes, the M57 is a pulse generator. It does not sustain current long enough of duration to function a black match like the ones used in model rocketry. It also does not function the commercial blasting caps I have, which are brand new stock. Perhaps it could function some, but not the ones I have. GROG
How did you go about getting the blasting caps, do you need a license for them?
Yes, they are licensed. GROG
3 volts is awlful low current for a blasting cap and like Grog said Most model rocket igniters require heat from the short circut to get them to go and the pulse from the clacker wont do it. True e-matches like Davey Fire brand can fire right about 1.5 milliamps. If the gauge of your lead wire is to big or you have bare wire touching the ground it will bring your volts down to next to nothing. The same goes for to long of lead wire length.
If you ever come a cross an old hellfire box (John Wayne/Wiley Coyote blasting machine) the best way to test it is to use a 110vac 100 watt light bulb. It should blow the bulb element and remember to put some ass in it when you depress the plunger. Dont use you fingers to test it. BTDT
A military cap goes at 1.5 volts at about 1/2 an amp. Current is measured in amps.
What did you give for the clacker. I would like one.
Originally Posted By TisforTennessee:
What did you give for the clacker. I would like one.
uhhh i don't remember, got it from a member here. i want to say $75 maybe not sure
