Adding the Powder

I turn my ejection charge around, and doubling the wire along side of the tube, I insert it into the special holder I built.

This type of tool makes this an easier task.

Then, using the graduated measuring cups from the Lee kit, I measure out my 1 gram of powder and carefully pour it into the open end of the tube.

When finished, I tap the tube to settle the powder down around the flash bulb.

Tamp with tissue

Using a small amount of toilet tissue, roll up a small tamp between your fingers and insert it into the tube on top of the powder.

Pack the tamp

Using your ball point pen, carefully pack the tamp down on top of the powder, compressing the tissue slightly inside the tube.

Seal with wax

Carefully clear the area of powder, seal it and remove it from the area. You do not want powder around you when you strike a match! Once you are totally sure the area is clear, blow off the top of the ejection charges to clear out any powder that may have fallen nearby.

Then, light your candle and slowly drip melted wax into the top of the tube to seal it, covering the tissue fully and completely.

Alternatively, you may wish to seal with hot glue or round sticky paper disks of the appropriate size pressed into the end of the tube with a dowel.

End result

Your ejection charge will look like this before the wax dries when you seal it with melted candle wax.

Done!

There you go! A finished flashbulb-based ejection charge ready to fire. Be as particular about storing these as you are about storing your motors or reload kits.

To safe your ejection charges, strip the insulation off the other end and twist the wires together. You should also build safety shunting devices into your electrical wiring harness to prevent an accidental deployment until the rocket is loaded and ready to fly.

This same procedure should work using an electric match if you wanted to use those in place of flash bulbs.