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Irish
Coast Guard Historic |
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Setting the Scene |
PUFFERS, DETONATORS
& ELECTRICAL FIRING. To ensure that the electrical circuit
was functioning correctly it was tested by connecting a “Puffer”
to the circuit and pressing the firing button. A puffer is a small
item of two yellow wires attached to a compound. When the circuit
is activated and functioning correctly the compound detonates giving
out a tiny puff of smoke and a small explosion. Hence the name ‘Puffer’.
The detonator (Black & Red) was the method used if the electrical
system was not available or not used for some reason. It was screwed
into the end of the rocket and lit. It had an 8 second fuze before
activating. A short length of cable screwed into the end of the rocket
and plugged into the fitting on top of the rocket launcher was the
method of electrical firing. FIRING BOXES. Two types of detonating boxes are illustrated, both powered by dry cell batteries. They are attached to 25 yards (22.5 metres) of electrical cable which in turn is connected to a junction box on top of the rocket launcher. The opposite side of the junction box has a similar connection; from this connection a short length of electrical cable is fitted into the rear end of the rocket. Providing the circuit has been successfully tested the rocket is ready to be fired. When ready to fire the rocket, all personnel must be at least 25 yards (22.5 metres) away from the rocket launcher. This is deemed to be a safe distance if a misfire occurs. |