I built a ‘New Year atmosphere machine’? If your village had a voice-controlled remote firecracker toy like this, would you stay home a few more days over the New Year
Creator’s own settings as stated in the video (timestamps link to the moment). Not official values — test on scrap first.
Bill of materials
Welder, accessories, consumables and parts used in this build; quantities and specs are editable Download BOMDescription
A Biao’s ‘New Year atmosphere machine’ (17 minutes, 4038 likes, MakerWorld / code open-source): scrap steel pipe and rebar welded into an angle-adjustable five-shot firecracker rack with rubber-band auto-feed; voice module (ASR-PRO) → ESP8266 transmitter over WiFi → ESP8266 receiver (700-line config web page) → relay → 24V high-voltage arc igniter; the 24V pack is 6 old salvaged 1500mAh 18650s spot-welded in series (24.63V), the 6S 35A balance BMS needs 26V to activate, CC/CV buck-boost charging at 25.2V, XL4005 stepping down to 5V for the MCU; the transmitter runs on an 18650 + 5V common-port module; live test: ‘fire!’ and it fires in sequence
Opens with ‘Second Battalion Commander, your Italian cannon’. The romance the New Year deserves: walkie-talkie in hand, set off firecrackers remotely by voice, load 5 at a time for burst or single shots; materials are scrap steel pipe and rebar plus a few dozen yuan of electronics; the principle is a WiFi transmitter and receiver controlling ignition. Mechanics: cut pipe and weld a rack, a pivoting joint at the bottom to adjust the angle, a tail so it stands stable; the front support uses old rebar and galvanised pipe, also adjustable; firecracker clip: slot the pipe for the clip bracket, weld a slide on the short end on the other side, weld as many pipes onto the base as shots you want (5), weld nuts at the head and the slide’s tail, cut a fuse groove in the pipe; the clip rides the slide, a rubber band through the screw hole anchors to the base, and after ignition it springs to the next one for automatic feed. Electronics (with shopping screenshots): one 2000mAh 18650 (¥3) powers the walkie-talkie (transmitter) with a 5V charge/discharge module (¥2.85); 6 old salvaged 1500mAh cells make the 24V pack with a 24V 6S balance BMS (NMC 6S common-port 35A with balancing, ¥25.74); a CC/CV adjustable buck-boost module (¥15.3) charges the pack, 5–30V wide input; an XL4005 adjustable buck module (¥5.5) takes 24V → 5V for the MCU; a USB port powers the ESP8266; 2 × ESP8266 (¥13.94), one transmit, one receive; ASR-PRO voice-recognition dev board (¥26.2) + small speaker; 5V relay module (¥2.9) switches the ignition; 24V high-voltage ignition kit (high-frequency transformer, two pins produce an arc). Programming: the voice module uses the vendor’s Chinese block-based tool, wake word ‘Second Battalion Commander’, commands ‘bring up my Italian cannon / fire / open fire / launch / stop / continuous fire / stop continuous fire’, sent over serial to the ESP8266, with synthesised voice generated in the model and flashed; the transmitter ESP8266 in VSCode PlatformIO: opens a hotspot + TCP server, relays the voice serial data, reconnects on drop, 300-odd lines; the receiver connects to the transmitter and handles ignition / auto cut-off / continuous fire, with its own hotspot serving a phone web page for settings (cut-off time etc.), 700-odd lines; flash and test via serial log. 3D-modelled boxes (ignition head, receiver box, transmitter box), open-source on MakerWorld for printing. Assembly: remove the ignition head’s HV leads, pass them through the box and re-solder, lengthen the power lead; the 24V pack is 6 cells in series, 25.2V full, 24.63V on the multimeter after spot welding, wrapped in fish paper, main + and − nickel tabs spot-welded on; balance leads run from the main positive, one per group in order; the balance BMS only takes the negative input and negative output, the positive bypasses the board and goes straight out; plug in the balance leads; the BMS is inactive by default and needs a moment of 26V+ to activate; voltage tests fine, boxed up, snug fit; the buck-boost output set to 25.2V and connected to a parallel pair of leads on the pack; the 24V output feeds the buck module set to 5V; forgot a switch, so cut the lead, extended it and added one; 5V leads to the USB socket; the relay also needs 5V, taken from the 5V buck; the buck-boost output also feeds two 24V leads, positive through the relay to the ignition head; relay 5V + IN signal + 24V in/out extended to the ignition pack, controlled by the ESP8266 high/low level; fit the ESP8266, Type-C power, aviation-connector socket as the charge port; power-up test — charge LED on, the switch wiring doesn’t smoke, manually triggering the relay gives a normal arc, receiver done. Transmitter: the voice module’s two serial wires go to the ESP8266 serial with RX/TX crossed; 18650 + 5V common-port module, nickel tabs spot-welded onto the cell to make soldering easier, then + and − leads soldered on and into the module input, Type-C charging with green flashing for charge and blue for discharge; two Type-C leads with + and − paralleled into one input, plus a switch (one end to 5V +, negative straight through, switch output to the Type-C +); fit the ESP8266, speaker on the lid, voice module, Type-C common-port module; the two Type-C leads feed the voice module and the ESP8266; power-on test, ‘fire!’ OK; lid on, a decorative ‘soul antenna’; phone into the config page to set auto cut-off time / continuous fire; the ignition head is fixed to the rack with an acrylic sheet for insulation, ignition pins glued so the arc lights the fuse; outdoor test, ‘fire!’, fires in sequence, works really well. 257 comments: does this count as manufacturing a firearm (an entertainment toy, not a weapon); I’ve only programmed 8266 with Arduino, can I learn this (absolutely); how to program it (follow the video); a rotary-drum launcher would be perfect (sold online); is it open-source; the pipe has no rifling; won’t the police have a word; are you selling, how much; fireworks are banned.
Outcome
| Goal | Voice-controlled remote firecracker launcher, the ‘New Year atmosphere machine’ (five shots, auto-feed) |
| Build | Steel-pipe rack + voice / WiFi dual ESP8266 + relay + 24V HV ignition; 6S 18650 1500mAh pack + 6S 35A balance BMS; transmitter on 1S 18650 |
| Result | Indoor / outdoor tests, voice command ‘fire!’ ignites and fires in sequence · verified on camera: 750–752s arc ignition; 856–868s, 924–985s live voice-fire tests |
Steps13 steps · click a frame to jump
1. Concept: voice-controlled firecrackers via walkie-talkie, 5 shots, scrap pipe + a few dozen yuan of electronicsNew Year romance — walkie-talkie in hand, set off firecrackers remotely, load 5 at a time for burst or single shots; materials are scrap steel pipe and rebar plus a few dozen yuan of electronics; the principle is WiFi transmit / receive controlling ignition.
00:00 – 00:46
2. Weld the pipe rack: pivoting base joint for angle, tail, front supportCut pipe and weld the rack; make the base a pivoting joint to adjust the angle; add a tail so it stands stable; the front support uses old rebar and galvanised pipe, also adjustable; it looks the part.
00:53 – 01:51
3. Five-shot firecracker clip: slot, slide, nuts, fuse groove, rubber-band auto-feedSlot the pipe for the clip bracket; weld a slide onto the short end on the other side; weld 5 pipes onto the base = 5 shots; weld nuts at the head and the slide’s tail; cut a fuse groove in the pipe; the clip rides the slide, a rubber band through the screw hole anchors to the base, and after ignition it springs to the next one.
01:51 – 02:57
4. Electronics list (with shopping screenshots): 18650, 5V module, 6 × 1500mAh, 6S 35A balance BMS, buck-boost, XL4005, 2 × ESP8266, ASR-PRO, relay, 24V HV ignition2000mAh 18650 (¥3) for the walkie-talkie + 5V charge/discharge module (¥2.85); 6 old salvaged 1500mAh cells for the 24V pack + 6S 35A balance BMS (¥25.74); CC/CV buck-boost module (¥15.3), 5–30V charging; XL4005 buck (¥5.5) 24 → 5V; USB port; 2 × ESP8266 (¥13.94), one transmit, one receive; ASR-PRO voice board (¥26.2) + speaker; 5V relay (¥2.9); 24V HV ignition kit (high-frequency transformer, two-pin arc).
02:58 – 04:32
5. Voice module programming: wake word ‘Second Battalion Commander’, commands fire / open fire / launch / continuous / stop, sent over serial to the ESP8266The vendor’s Chinese block-based tool; wake word ‘Second Battalion Commander’, commands ‘bring up my Italian cannon’, ‘fire’, ‘open fire’, ‘launch’, ‘stop’, ‘continuous fire’, ‘stop continuous fire’, each with an ID; commands sent over serial to the ESP8266; synthesised voice generated in the model and flashed.
04:32 – 05:10
6. ESP8266 transmitter (hotspot + TCP server relay, 300 lines) / receiver (ignition logic + config web page, 700 lines); flash and test via serialVSCode PlatformIO; the transmitter opens a hotspot and a TCP server, relays the voice serial data, reconnects on drop, 300-odd lines; the receiver connects to the transmitter and handles ignition / auto cut-off / continuous fire, opens a hotspot serving a phone web page to set cut-off time etc., 700-odd lines; after flashing, a temporary hook-up shows the serial log is normal.
05:07 – 06:36
7. 3D-print three boxes (open-source on MakerWorld); re-wire the ignition head and box itBoxes are needed for the parts (a waterproof junction box would also do), models open-source on MakerWorld for printing; three parts — ignition head, receiver box, transmitter box; remove the ignition head’s two HV leads, pass them through the box and re-solder, lengthen the power input lead, lid on, done.
06:36 – 07:58
8. 24V pack: 6 cells spot-welded in series, 24.63V, fish paper, main + / − nickel tabs, balance leads, 6S balance BMS (negative through the board), 26V activation6 × 18650 in series, 25.2V full; 24.63V on the multimeter after spot welding; wrapped in fish paper; main + and − nickel tabs spot-welded on; balance leads from the main positive, one per group in order; the balance BMS only takes the negative input and negative output, the positive bypasses the board and goes straight out; plug in the balance leads; the BMS is inactive by default and needs a moment of 26V+ applied; voltage tests fine, boxed up, snug fit.
07:58 – 09:40
9. Buck-boost charging at 25.2V; 5V buck; add the forgotten switch; USB socket; relay 5VCC/CV buck-boost output set to 25.2V, a parallel pair of leads from the pack goes to its output; two 24V leads feed the buck module set to 5V for the MCU; forgot a switch, cut the output lead, extended it and added one; 5V + and − leads to the USB socket module; the relay also needs 5V, taken from the 5V buck; fix the modules and USB port in place.
09:40 – 11:02
10. Relay switches the 24V ignition pack; ESP8266 boxed with Type-C power; aviation-connector charge port; power-up test, arc normalThe buck-boost output also feeds two 24V leads, positive through the relay to the ignition head; relay 5V + IN signal + 24V in/out extended to the ignition pack; ESP8266 high/low level controls it; fit the ESP8266, Type-C power; aviation-connector socket as the charge port; power-up test — charge LED, switch wiring doesn’t smoke, all indicators on; connect the ignition pack leads, manually trigger the relay, arc ignition normal; lid on, receiver done.
11:02 – 12:40
11. Transmitter: voice module serial crossed to the ESP8266; 18650 with nickel tabs + leads + 5V common-port module; paralleled Type-C power leads plus a switch; fit the speakerThe voice module’s two serial wires go to the ESP8266 serial, RX/TX crossed; one 18650 + a 5V common-port in/out module, nickel tabs spot-welded onto the cell to make soldering easier, then + and − leads soldered on; into the module input, Type-C charging with green flashing for charge / blue for discharge; two Type-C leads with + and − paralleled into one input, plus a switch (one end to 5V +, negative straight through, switch output to the Type-C +); fit the ESP8266, speaker on the lid, voice module, Type-C common-port module; the two Type-C leads feed the voice module and the ESP8266 separately.
12:43 – 14:16
12. Power on, ‘fire!’ test OK; ‘soul antenna’; phone config; ignition head insulated with acrylic and fixed to the rackFlip the switch, power on, ‘fire!’ test — no problem at all; lid on; the ‘soul antenna’ (decorative); phone into the config page to set auto cut-off time / continuous fire; the ignition head is fixed to the rack with an acrylic sheet for insulation, ignition pins glued so the arc lights the fuse; test again, no problem.
14:16 – 15:31
13. Outdoor live test: ‘Second Battalion Commander, fire!’, fires in sequenceTake it outside to try: ‘is that a cannon, it looks like a big chimney’, ‘Second Battalion Commander, fire!’ — one bang, then continuous fire; the real-world result is really good; like and follow.
15:31 – 16:44
Bill of materials
| Scrap steel pipe / rebar / galvanised pipe | Rack / firecracker clip |
| Rubber bands / nuts / slide | Auto-feed |
| 18650 1500mAh old salvaged ×6 | 24V pack |
| 18650 2000mAh 5C ×1 | ¥3 · Transmitter power |
| 6S 35A balance BMS ×1 | ¥25.74 · 24V protection |
| CC/CV buck-boost module / XL4005 buck / 5V charge/discharge module | Power |
| 2 × ESP8266 / ASR-PRO voice board + speaker / 5V relay | Control |
| 24V HV ignition kit ×1 | High-frequency transformer + twin pins · Arc ignition |
| Welder (UK1) + nickel tabs / fish paper | Battery pack |
| 3D-printed boxes × 3 / aviation connector / Type-C socket / switch / acrylic sheet | Open-source on MakerWorld · Structure |
Measured on camera
| 24V pack voltage | 24.63 V 08:32 |
| Buck module output | 5.05 V 10:06 |
Creator’s tips
- Balance leads run from the main positive, one per group in order; on this type of balance BMS the positive bypasses the board 08:51
- The BMS is inactive by default; a moment of 26V+ activates it 09:16
- Spot-weld nickel tabs onto the cell first, then solder the leads 13:04
- Cross RX/TX when connecting serial 12:43
- Set the buck-boost charge voltage to the 25.2V full-charge level; 5V buck powers the MCU and the relay 09:49
- Insulate and fix the ignition pins with an acrylic sheet so the arc lines up with the fuse 15:09
Pitfalls
- Three things ‘forgotten’ during assembly: the switch, the relay’s 5V supply, the ignition pack’s 24V supply — patched in on the spot 10:21
- The ignition head’s original leads were too short and had to be re-wired 07:34
Li-ion safety
- High-voltage arc ignition + firecrackers raise legal / safety questions (comments — counts as a firearm? police?); the creator calls it an entertainment toy
- Power-up test — ‘as long as the wiring doesn’t smoke, it’s fine’ 12:03
Quotes
Cost & time
| 18650 2000mAh | ¥3 |
| 5V charge/discharge module | ¥2.85 |
| 6S 35A balance BMS | ¥25.74 |
| Buck-boost module | ¥15.3 |
| XL4005 | ¥5.5 |
| ESP8266 ×2 | ¥27.88 |
| ASR-PRO | ¥26.2 |
| Relay | ¥2.9 |
Comment insightsanswered 6 · open 4 · corrections 2
Answered by the creator
Open questions
Corrections from viewers
I came across a creator who specifically goes to scrapyards to pick up broken small appliances and electronics and fixes them at home, lots of people watch; I think you could go that route, no need to worry about material. Once fixed you can list them on Xianyu or give them to fans.
Reply @左岸:
I came across a creator who specifically goes to scrapyards to pick up broken small appliances and electronics and fixes them at home, lots of people watch; I think you could go that route, no need to worry about material. Once fixed you can list them on Xianyu or give them to fans.
Reply @左岸:
I came across a creator who specifically goes to scrapyards to pick up broken small appliances and electronics and fixes them at home, lots of people watch; I think you could go that route, no need to worry about material. Once fixed you can list them on Xianyu or give them to fans.
Reply @左岸: