A "Unity Candle" is sometimes used in a wedding to symbolize the two people coming together. Each participant uses a small lit candle, and together, they light a larger Unity Candle. Continuing this symbolism, but representing the background of this particular couple, they sought a much larger flame. A control box is located in the ceremony space to allow the couple to light the candle. It has a large firing button on the top, and key switches on the sides. They each have their own key to symbolize their joint efforts coming together. Once armed with the key, the large button becomes active to fire the candle. When fired, a 30 foot high fireball comes out of the candle itself.
Front Room Photography took this fantastic photo during the ceremony:
How the ceremony came together: (this is not the THP entry video, see link on left for that)
If you have any questions or comments, please use the comment box below.
Project log index:
More details
How it all worked out
Installation and setup of the system on site
Wiring the system on site and being a connected device
Construction of the firing button and keyswitches
Discussion about electrical robustness in this system
Rain shield for the hot surface ignitors
Estimating the heat output and costs of operation
Additional testing of various sequence parameters
Building the decorative shell
Code running on the Arduino Micro
Added circuitry, schematics and design notes
Modifications to the controller
Reverse engineering the existing hand controller
Notes on getting the parts
Initial manual testing of the propane poofer
Mounting the ignitors
Building the relay board to drive the poofer
Assembling the propane poofer
Initial discussion of safety design
Researching details of a propane poofer and possible improvements
Researching methods of making a fireball
Disclaimer: This project should only be attempted by those who fully understand it and have appropriate training. This project information is not appropriate training which must be sought out elsewhere. Anyone attempting must comply with their local ordinances and codes.
THE PROJECT DOCUMENTATION AND MATERIALS ARE PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY FROM THE USE OF THIS CONTENT OR OTHERWISE.
Hi Quinn, I am confused by there apparently being 2 projects with differing parts. I hope I can ask a few questions as I build a similar project. First, one parts list shows a 25' LP hose with quick disconnects on both ends. What is this for? All the pictures show standard screw on connectors, except for one image that seems to show a quick disconnect on one end of the feed line. Are these things reliable for sealing gas lines? I've used them for air, but they often stop working and leak, no?
What I want to do is have 1 large 80lb LP tank to feed 2 gas grill accumulators inside two 7' columns separated by about 8 or 10'. I want them to burn pilots that look like tiki torches and then do a random sequence of effect like on unit poof out a ball, then the other. Or they alternate a few short bursts. Or they both blow a 2 second pillar of fire simultaneously. I like the rolling cloud effect and the short puff and of course the large column of fire. I don't need more than perhaps 5 to 10 feet of flame. How do I feed two accumulators from the same source? I was worried that if the second one T's out from the first, that when the first one goes off, it would drain the second one a bit or that there could be some other issue I am not considering.
What pipe do I want from the accumulator to the exit tube? Do I use 1/2" coming out of the accumulator to a 1/2" exit? Or do I need 3/4" all the way from the accum. past the solenoid? I saw an image with one unit with a small bottle type accumulator that was 1/4" from accum. to solenoid and then something bigger? But the twin stack you created looks like 3/4" for all the pipe after the accum. Can you help? Thank you!