Lighthouse flashing light circuit - Electronic Circuits Projects Diagrams Free

zman · 30th July 2003, 06:42 AM

I'm trying to find a simple and easy design for a project my friend decided to build and now needs help with (of course!). He has built a 6 foot light house at a local hang out and needs a simple flashing light circuit. We are trying to create a circuit that would flash on 4 seconds off 2 etc. He has it wired for 120VAC with all the bells and whistle for the light house, with the exception of the light. He left that part to me. I'm new to creating circuits and seek some expert advice....all info is greatly appreciated!! Thanks

Jaw174 · 30th July 2003, 04:45 PM

well, in short, the best way to make is look nasatlig is to add a spinning light, using a mirror and motor with a steady on light, but if he realy wants a flashing light, its very possible.. im not sure how tho.. hehe

bogdanfirst · 30th July 2003, 05:56 PM

the best way is to use a 555 circuit.
i can make the flashing circuit, but i am not sure how to drive the bulb. is the light a 120V or is it low voltage
i'll be back with the schematic soon.

zman · 31st July 2003, 01:03 AM

Bogdanfirst,

It would be a 120V lamp, unless I could utilize a different style lamp to provide a bright flash for this design. Thanks in advance!

john1 · 2nd August 2003, 05:50 AM

:lol:
:P
:wink:
:lol:

Sebi · 2nd August 2003, 08:21 AM

Use a photo-flash with trigger circuit.

seeker · 2nd August 2003, 03:30 PM

Hi zman,

Don't know how bright it has to be but you might try a 12 volt bulb and a turn-signal blinker.

zman · 8th August 2003, 02:59 AM

Thanks to everyone...bogdanfirst, did you get a chance to come up with a schematic?

Jimbo · 8th August 2003, 10:05 AM

You will probably need some zero-crossing detection in your drive-circuit, otherwise the music in the hangout might suffer. I *think* the MOC3020 optocoupler does exactly that. It may be the 3040 as well (or was it the 3021 - ahh, the stuff people forget). Just enter them in Google and I'm sure you'll find all the application notes you'll ever need.

The alternatives are a noise cancellation circuit with very expensive coils, or synchronising the 555 timer with the net frequency - don't immediately know how to do that, other than "AND"ing the timer output with a zero crossing pulse.

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30th July 2003, 06:42 AM	(permalink)
zman	Lighthouse flashing light circuit I'm trying to find a simple and easy design for a project my friend decided to build and now needs help with (of course!). He has built a 6 foot light house at a local hang out and needs a simple flashing light circuit. We are trying to create a circuit that would flash on 4 seconds off 2 etc. He has it wired for 120VAC with all the bells and whistle for the light house, with the exception of the light. He left that part to me. I'm new to creating circuits and seek some expert advice....all info is greatly appreciated!! Thanks

30th July 2003, 04:45 PM	(permalink)
Jaw174	well, in short, the best way to make is look nasatlig is to add a spinning light, using a mirror and motor with a steady on light, but if he realy wants a flashing light, its very possible.. im not sure how tho.. hehe __________________ Do no meddel in the affairs of dragons, for you are tasty and go good with ketchup.

30th July 2003, 05:56 PM	(permalink)
bogdanfirst	the best way is to use a 555 circuit. i can make the flashing circuit, but i am not sure how to drive the bulb. is the light a 120V or is it low voltage i'll be back with the schematic soon.

31st July 2003, 01:03 AM	(permalink)
zman	Bogdanfirst, It would be a 120V lamp, unless I could utilize a different style lamp to provide a bright flash for this design. Thanks in advance!

2nd August 2003, 05:50 AM	(permalink)
john1	:lol: :P :wink: :lol:

2nd August 2003, 08:21 AM	(permalink)
Sebi	Use a photo-flash with trigger circuit.

2nd August 2003, 03:30 PM	(permalink)
seeker	Hi zman, Don't know how bright it has to be but you might try a 12 volt bulb and a turn-signal blinker.

8th August 2003, 02:59 AM	(permalink)
zman	Thanks to everyone...bogdanfirst, did you get a chance to come up with a schematic?

8th August 2003, 10:05 AM	(permalink)
Jimbo	You will probably need some zero-crossing detection in your drive-circuit, otherwise the music in the hangout might suffer. I think the MOC3020 optocoupler does exactly that. It may be the 3040 as well (or was it the 3021 - ahh, the stuff people forget). Just enter them in Google and I'm sure you'll find all the application notes you'll ever need. The alternatives are a noise cancellation circuit with very expensive coils, or synchronising the 555 timer with the net frequency - don't immediately know how to do that, other than "AND"ing the timer output with a zero crossing pulse.