Don't blow your fingers off with this PIC idea

[keithdoxey]

A system to safely set off consumer grade fireworks.

Issues:

2) Safety mechanism - There could be NO chance of power going to the igniters at any time other than when commanded. No output spike when first turned on or anything like that.

Given that you are having long cables connected to your PIC both firing the igniters and supplying the audio to sequence the show, how are you going to adequately protect the system from RFI pickup.

A signal from a mobile phone or taxi radio etc could cause the system to behave erratically and fire an igniter at the wrong time.

Whilst I agree that it could be a really cool thing to develop, the potential for serious injury is something that should be considered VERY SERIOUSLY. Personally I believe that this is something that should remain in the domain of the Professional events organisers.

By their very nature "consumer" firework parties tend to be relaxed affairs often with the presence of alcohol and an automated display would have to have an "Emergency Stop" function in case someone strayed into the area of a firework or if a rocket fell over just as it was about to be fired.

I have been to organised displays where things havent gone according to plan and had a rocket miss me by a couple of feet