Flashing Light Unit

[atomicgraph]

thanks for those  links

[Theta Sigma]

Has anyone come across a way to make the tardis lamp blink on and off with one flick of a switch?

I'd be running on 120V.

I have not come up with anything to flash a 120V lamp, but here's what I have come up with for flashing 12V high flux LED's.  You could always use a 12V power supply to run this from 120VAC.  It pulls about 2 amps at 12VDC.  I've not finalized the circuit design yet, but I hope to soon enough.  At that time, I plan to share the electronic schematic and parts sources with everyone.

[12thdoctor]

Yours is how I want mine to look, klippard

[nikond80]

Klippard,

That looks spot on to me.
Lovely job sir,

Jon

[Theta Sigma]

Yours is how I want mine to look, klippard

All, you can call me Kevin.  I should have come up with a more creative username, but oh well. 

I actually found something last night on the web that should allow me to attach my circuit as a driver and create a fader-flasher that will control a 120VAC bulb.  I will order one, and see if it works, then post the link for all.  Please stand by.  I hope to get the circuit finalized this weekend!

Kevin

[throgmorton]

Thanks for the links and info really appreciate it!

Chris E.

[Theta Sigma]

Finally put the finishing touches on the flasher unit.  I'll be posting schematics and plans this week as soon as I can get them drawn up.  Here's a video of it working in the broad daylight, and in the dark.  I'm not too impressed with the daylight shots, but the night shots look wonderful.  Comments?

[Dematerialiser]

Nice videos there Kevin! That light looks superb too!

[Theta Sigma]

At long last I have something to share to help you build your own flasher units like mine:



The bottom side of the board looks like this.  You can make 2 units from one board if you want.



If anyone is interested an a proper electronic schematic, I'll be happy to draw one up.  However,  I thought this type of plan would be easier to follow for those not experienced with electronics.

If anyone is interested in commissioning me to build them one, I'd be happy to do so for the cost of parts and shipping, plus a modest fee for my time.

I'm also going to be working on a unit that will use 12V halogen lamps instead of high power LED's, but that's down the road a ways.

Kevin

[Theta Sigma]

Here's a pic of the assembled flasher unit:

[Scarfwearer]

Thanks for this, Kevin! Requests for this come up pretty often on the TARDIS boards.
One question, though: what do you use for a power supply? Radio Shack wall-warts normally only go up to about 1A, or do they have bigger ones?

Crispin

[Theta Sigma]

Thanks for this, Kevin! Requests for this come up pretty often on the TARDIS boards.
One question, though: what do you use for a power supply? Radio Shack wall-warts normally only go up to about 1A, or do they have bigger ones?

Crispin

Crispin,

The intent of this design was to use as 12V car battery as a mobile power source, eliminating the need for power cords running out the back of your TARDIS.  If you wanted to use a line powered source, the power supply from an old (or new) computer would work well also, as most provide about 6 amps on the 12V line(s).  My videos were shot using a computer power supply actually. 

There are commercial power supplies that are available too, but I think the computer power supply is most likely the cheapest option.

Kevin

[Theta Sigma]

All,

I neglected to mention that my videos of the flasher unit utilize a real glass Fresnel lens, which further focuses the light from the side-emitting Luxeon LED's.   The LED's are very bright, and will cause damage to your eyes if you stare directly at them at close range.  However, they will not appear as bright from a distance without the use of a real Fresnel lens.  When I say real, I mean lenses that actually have focusing properties, not the cheap plastic ones that you buy at your local DIY store. 

Just wanted to clarify this point to avoid disappointment from anyone who decides to build one of these units. 

Kevin

[12thdoctor]

How well do think this would work on an nst build, which doesn't use a fresnel?

[DarthMoose74]

There are a variety of ways to do your lamp on top, blinking is easy but to get the right amount of fade on and off how do you do it?