Propane and Programming

Six parts, from the first bad idea to solenoids firing in time with music

2023

This one was written as it happened, in six parts, over about three months in 2023. It starts with a wrist-mounted flamethrower that never got built and ends with six propane cannisters in the front yard taking their cues over ESP-NOW.

The parts are worth reading in order, because the mistakes are the point. Part III is where I finally designed a real PCB, and Part V is the one where things went wrong on camera. If you only want the working code and the final wiring, skip to Part VI — it’s the longest of the six for a reason.

Files & Sources

The Stack

Wireless ESP-NOW · one master, six slaves
Boards ESP32 · EasyEDA-designed PCB
Fire 12 V propane solenoids · HV arc igniter
Toolchain PlatformIO · VS Code