Lighting an electric match with an IRF520 transistor

Question

I'm trying to find a way to light an electric match with an IRF520 transistor and an Arduino, but I can't seem to get it working.

I've rigged up a 7.4 V battery to a transistor which in turn is connected to an electric match. When I turn on the transistor, the circuit is completed, and it should light the match.

I've tested this with LEDs and it works perfectly, they turn on and off as I tell them to, but when I attach the match, nothing happens.

I think it has something to do with the fact that the match has almost no resistance, but I can't figure it out. If anyone knows why this isn't working please tell me, any information helps.

Schematic (don't judge, this is the first schematic I've made):

Code:

int match = 2;

void setup() {
}

void loop() {
  delay(10000);
  pinMode(match, OUTPUT);
  digitalWrite(match, LOW);
}

Here are photos of the actual circuitry:

Answer 1

Firstly you should be outputting a high signal to activate the FET, the N channel FET requires a positive voltage from drain to source to allow current to flow.

Secondly the fet you’ve chosen is not a “logic level” FET - it prefers a much higher gate voltage than you’re using. Note the transfer function from the data sheet (snipped below), you’ll only ever get about 3 A flowing through it with Vgs = 5 V.

Thirdly, and possibly not real issue but a drawing issue: your fet is drawn upside down in the schematic, the source pin (pin 3) should be attached to battery minus.

Finally, and this is super important: you must connect battery minus to the ground or 0 V node of the Arduino.