Seek mains strobe to give warning flashes [ot]

[Jonno]

I am in the UK.

I have some security equipment installed which will switch on the mains
power for about one second to a standard mains socket which is built
into the equipment.

Is it possible to get a self-contained strobe light which plugs directly
into this switched mains socket but is small like a self-contained night
light?

Something like these in size and fitting:
http://www.onestepahead.com/images/product/Detail_Main/12882_1.jpg
http://www.upper-mills.co.uk/ekmps/shops/uppermills/images/21-08.jpg
http://www.choiceful.com/prod_image/51542_x.jpg

The idea is to use the strobe to give a visible warning indoors. I
would need the strobe to start up very soon after it receives mains
power.

 

[Ross Herbert]

On Mon, 27 Nov 2006 14:16:12 GMT, Jonno <jon@nomail.com> wrote:

I am in the UK.

I have some security equipment installed which will switch on the mains
power for about one second to a standard mains socket which is built
into the equipment.

Is it possible to get a self-contained strobe light which plugs directly
into this switched mains socket but is small like a self-contained night
light?

Something like these in size and fitting:
http://www.onestepahead.com/images/product/Detail_Main/12882_1.jpg
http://www.upper-mills.co.uk/ekmps/shops/uppermills/images/21-08.jpg
http://www.choiceful.com/prod_image/51542_x.jpg

The idea is to use the strobe to give a visible warning indoors. I
would need the strobe to start up very soon after it receives mains
power.

If the wall outlet only receives power for about 1 sec where does the
strobe light get its power from? It needs to be self powered and
remain flashing after the initial 1 second power pulse to the outlet,
I would assume. I doubt there is anything this specialised on the
market and you would need to design/modify something to do the job.

 

[Jonno]

On Mon, 27 Nov 2006 14:16:12 GMT, Jonno <jon@nomail.com> wrote:

I am in the UK.

I have some security equipment installed which will switch on the
mains power for about one second to a standard mains socket which
is built into the equipment.

Is it possible to get a self-contained strobe light which plugs
directly into this switched mains socket but is small like a
self-contained night light?

Something like these in size and fitting:
http://www.onestepahead.com/images/product/Detail_Main/12882_1.jpg
http://www.upper-mills.co.uk/ekmps/shops/uppermills/images/21-
08.jpg
http://www.choiceful.com/prod_image/51542_x.jpg

The idea is to use the strobe to give a visible warning indoors.
I would need the strobe to start up very soon after it receives
mains power.

On 27 Nov 2006, Ross Herbert <rherber1@bigpond.net.au> wrote:

If the wall outlet only receives power for about 1 sec where does
the strobe light get its power from? It needs to be self powered
and remain flashing after the initial 1 second power pulse to the
outlet, I would assume. I doubt there is anything this specialised
on the market and you would need to design/modify something to do
the job.

Sorry Ross, I didn't explain it too well.

I meant to say that I needed the strobe to start up and make one or more
flashes in the second or so during which the mains power is provided.

I was guessing some strobes may take a few seconds to charge up and
so in their case the reponse would be too slow.

 

[Graham W]

Jonno wrote:

On Mon, 27 Nov 2006 14:16:12 GMT, Jonno <jon@nomail.com> wrote:

I am in the UK.

I have some security equipment installed which will switch on the
mains power for about one second to a standard mains socket which
is built into the equipment.

Is it possible to get a self-contained strobe light which plugs
directly into this switched mains socket but is small like a
self-contained night light?

Something like these in size and fitting:
http://www.onestepahead.com/images/product/Detail_Main/12882_1.jpg
http://www.upper-mills.co.uk/ekmps/shops/uppermills/images/21-
08.jpg
http://www.choiceful.com/prod_image/51542_x.jpg

The idea is to use the strobe to give a visible warning indoors.
I would need the strobe to start up very soon after it receives
mains power.



On 27 Nov 2006, Ross Herbert <rherber1@bigpond.net.au> wrote:

If the wall outlet only receives power for about 1 sec where does
the strobe light get its power from? It needs to be self powered
and remain flashing after the initial 1 second power pulse to the
outlet, I would assume. I doubt there is anything this specialised
on the market and you would need to design/modify something to do
the job.


Sorry Ross, I didn't explain it too well.

I meant to say that I needed the strobe to start up and make one or more
flashes in the second or so during which the mains power is provided.

I was guessing some strobes may take a few seconds to charge up and
so in their case the reponse would be too slow.

Those devices to which you have provided a link are night-lights NOT
strobes.

The time that a strobe takes to fire depends on several factors but
mainly the size of the capacitor that is discharged by the flash tube.

So you could adapt a small flash unit to do this by reducing the
capacitor.

But why not think in terms of an audible device like a buzzer which
could be heard straight away?


--
Graham W http://www.gcw.org.uk/ PGM-FI page updated, Graphics Tutorial
WIMBORNE http://www.wessex-astro.org.uk/ Wessex Astro Society's Website
Dorset UK Info, Meeting Dates, Sites & Maps
Change 'news' to 'sewn' in my Reply address to avoid my spam filter.

 

[Sparks]

"Jonno" <jon@nomail.com> wrote in message
news:Xns98889129C72EF17E53A@127.0.0.1...

I am in the UK.

I have some security equipment installed which will switch on the mains
power for about one second to a standard mains socket which is built
into the equipment.

Is it possible to get a self-contained strobe light which plugs directly
into this switched mains socket but is small like a self-contained night
light?

Something like these in size and fitting:
http://www.onestepahead.com/images/product/Detail_Main/12882_1.jpg
http://www.upper-mills.co.uk/ekmps/shops/uppermills/images/21-08.jpg
http://www.choiceful.com/prod_image/51542_x.jpg

The idea is to use the strobe to give a visible warning indoors. I
would need the strobe to start up very soon after it receives mains
power.

I doubt you will find anything like this on the market.

Can you tell us a little more about this equipment, and what you are trying
to achieve, as there may be an easier way to do what you want!

They only think I can think of is one of the little strobe lights you get
from Maplin
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=28569&criteria=strobe&doy=27m11
But this is a lot bigger than you have asked for.
I have one, and when it is switched on, it starts to flash almost
immediately (The flash rate is also adjustable)

Is the strobe going to trigger something else, like a camera, or is it to
alert someone?

Sparks...

 

[Ross Herbert]

On Mon, 27 Nov 2006 15:09:23 GMT, Jonno <no@no-email.com> wrote:

On Mon, 27 Nov 2006 14:16:12 GMT, Jonno <jon@nomail.com> wrote:

I am in the UK.

I have some security equipment installed which will switch on the
mains power for about one second to a standard mains socket which
is built into the equipment.

Is it possible to get a self-contained strobe light which plugs
directly into this switched mains socket but is small like a
self-contained night light?

Something like these in size and fitting:
http://www.onestepahead.com/images/product/Detail_Main/12882_1.jpg
http://www.upper-mills.co.uk/ekmps/shops/uppermills/images/21-
08.jpg
http://www.choiceful.com/prod_image/51542_x.jpg

The idea is to use the strobe to give a visible warning indoors.
I would need the strobe to start up very soon after it receives
mains power.



On 27 Nov 2006, Ross Herbert <rherber1@bigpond.net.au> wrote:

If the wall outlet only receives power for about 1 sec where does
the strobe light get its power from? It needs to be self powered
and remain flashing after the initial 1 second power pulse to the
outlet, I would assume. I doubt there is anything this specialised
on the market and you would need to design/modify something to do
the job.


Sorry Ross, I didn't explain it too well.

I meant to say that I needed the strobe to start up and make one or more
flashes in the second or so during which the mains power is provided.

I was guessing some strobes may take a few seconds to charge up and
so in their case the reponse would be too slow.

Perhaps you might explain as to how you are intending to use this
facility. Maybe it is simply a testing aid to check function?

If this is the case then it might be easier to use a 230V ac buzzer or
bell so you could hear it during the 1 sec pulse - eg. Moeller Z-SU230
or Z-GL230 . It is far easier to listen than to stare at a lamp
waiting for it to flash. You might blink when it does and miss it....

You would need to mount the buzzer in a plastic box and connect it via
a standard plug and cable.

 

[Cicero]

On Mon, 27 Nov 2006 14:16:12 +0000, Jonno wrote:

I am in the UK.

I have some security equipment installed which will switch on the mains
power for about one second to a standard mains socket which is built into
the equipment.

Is it possible to get a self-contained strobe light which plugs directly
into this switched mains socket but is small like a self-contained night
light?

Something like these in size and fitting:
http://www.onestepahead.com/images/product/Detail_Main/12882_1.jpg
http://www.upper-mills.co.uk/ekmps/shops/uppermills/images/21-08.jpg
http://www.choiceful.com/prod_image/51542_x.jpg

The idea is to use the strobe to give a visible warning indoors. I would
need the strobe to start up very soon after it receives mains power.

================================
Do you really need a strobe light to do this?

If it's going to be switched on / off in one second any normal light bulb
(e.g. a small candle bulb) will give a momentary flash as it is powered
rather like a manual head light flasher.

Cic.

--
================================
Testing UBUNTU Linux
Everything working so far
================================

 

[Jonno]

On 27 Nov 2006, Graham W <graham@his.com.puter.INVALID> wrote:

Those devices to which you have provided a link are night-lights NOT
strobes.

Yes that's right. I'm looking for a strobe which plugs into the mains,
"small like a self-contained night light. ... Something like these in
size and fitting".

The time that a strobe takes to fire depends on several factors but
mainly the size of the capacitor that is discharged by the flash tube.

So you could adapt a small flash unit to do this by reducing the
capacitor.

But why not think in terms of an audible device like a buzzer which
could be heard straight away?

I already have an audio warning. But in my setup the audio can be
overheard too easily so it is not always switched on.

I use a 500W floodlight at present but on very bright days it is hard to
see. I figure that strobe flashes are more noticeable,

 

[Jonno]

On 27 Nov 2006, Cicero <sheldrake@hellfire.co.uk> wrote:

On Mon, 27 Nov 2006 14:16:12 +0000, Jonno wrote:

I am in the UK.

I have some security equipment installed which will switch on the
mains power for about one second to a standard mains socket which
is built into the equipment.

Is it possible to get a self-contained strobe light which plugs
directly into this switched mains socket but is small like a
self-contained night light?

Something like these in size and fitting:
http://www.onestepahead.com/images/product/Detail_Main/12882_1.jpg
http://www.upper-mills.co.uk/ekmps/shops/uppermills/images/21-
08.jp
g http://www.choiceful.com/prod_image/51542_x.jpg

The idea is to use the strobe to give a visible warning indoors.
I would need the strobe to start up very soon after it receives
mains power.

================================
Do you really need a strobe light to do this?

If it's going to be switched on / off in one second any normal
light bulb (e.g. a small candle bulb) will give a momentary flash
as it is powered rather like a manual head light flasher.

Cic.

I use a 500W halogen floodlight at present and this works well enough
but not brilliantly.

I would much prefer to have a bright fast flash or two from a xenon
strobe lamp.

 

[Homer J Simpson]

"Jonno" <jon@nomail.com> wrote in message
news:Xns98889129C72EF17E53A@127.0.0.1...

Is it possible to get a self-contained strobe light which plugs directly
into this switched mains socket but is small like a self-contained night
light?

Did you try a Radio Shack one?

 

[Victor Roberts]

On Mon, 27 Nov 2006 14:16:12 GMT, Jonno <jon@nomail.com>
wrote:

I am in the UK.

I have some security equipment installed which will switch on the mains
power for about one second to a standard mains socket which is built
into the equipment.

Is it possible to get a self-contained strobe light which plugs directly
into this switched mains socket but is small like a self-contained night
light?

Something like these in size and fitting:
http://www.onestepahead.com/images/product/Detail_Main/12882_1.jpg
http://www.upper-mills.co.uk/ekmps/shops/uppermills/images/21-08.jpg
http://www.choiceful.com/prod_image/51542_x.jpg

The idea is to use the strobe to give a visible warning indoors. I
would need the strobe to start up very soon after it receives mains
power.

I have seen strobes like that in the US that are used with
fire alarm systems. They are no larger than the ones in
your first two links. I don't know how soon the begin to
flash after power is applied.

--
Vic Roberts
http://www.RobertsResearchInc.com
To reply via e-mail:
replace xxx with vdr in the Reply to: address
or use e-mail address listed at the Web site.

This information is provided for educational purposes only.
It may not be used in any publication or posted on any Web
site without written permission.

 

[The Natural Philosopher]

Victor Roberts wrote:

On Mon, 27 Nov 2006 14:16:12 GMT, Jonno <jon@nomail.com
wrote:

I am in the UK.

I have some security equipment installed which will switch on the mains
power for about one second to a standard mains socket which is built
into the equipment.

Is it possible to get a self-contained strobe light which plugs directly
into this switched mains socket but is small like a self-contained night
light?

Something like these in size and fitting:
http://www.onestepahead.com/images/product/Detail_Main/12882_1.jpg
http://www.upper-mills.co.uk/ekmps/shops/uppermills/images/21-08.jpg
http://www.choiceful.com/prod_image/51542_x.jpg

The idea is to use the strobe to give a visible warning indoors. I
would need the strobe to start up very soon after it receives mains
power.

I have seen strobes like that in the US that are used with
fire alarm systems. They are no larger than the ones in
your first two links. I don't know how soon the begin to
flash after power is applied.

The first thing anyone used to build when they started electronics used
to be a neon flasher.

You need a 400v rectifier diode (IN4007?)rectifier, a capacitor and a
resistor and a neon.

Put the rectifier and the resistor in series with the capacitor ( 100v
or greater electrolytic +ve to the bar on the rectifier diode), and put
the neon across the capacitor as well.

Then connect the whole lot across the mains. Flash period is not far off
resistor in megohms x capacitor in uF..

Modifying a neon equipped socket should be relatively trivial.

 

[Lostgallifreyan]

The Natural Philosopher <a@b.c> wrote in
news:1164710632.9335.0@proxy02.news.clara.net:

Victor Roberts wrote:
On Mon, 27 Nov 2006 14:16:12 GMT, Jonno <jon@nomail.com
wrote:

I am in the UK.

I have some security equipment installed which will switch on the
mains power for about one second to a standard mains socket which is
built into the equipment.

Is it possible to get a self-contained strobe light which plugs
directly into this switched mains socket but is small like a
self-contained night light?

Something like these in size and fitting:
http://www.onestepahead.com/images/product/Detail_Main/12882_1.jpg
http://www.upper-mills.co.uk/ekmps/shops/uppermills/images/21-08.jpg
http://www.choiceful.com/prod_image/51542_x.jpg

The idea is to use the strobe to give a visible warning indoors. I
would need the strobe to start up very soon after it receives mains
power.

I have seen strobes like that in the US that are used with
fire alarm systems. They are no larger than the ones in
your first two links. I don't know how soon the begin to
flash after power is applied.


The first thing anyone used to build when they started electronics
used to be a neon flasher.

You need a 400v rectifier diode (IN4007?)rectifier, a capacitor and a
resistor and a neon.

Put the rectifier and the resistor in series with the capacitor ( 100v
or greater electrolytic +ve to the bar on the rectifier diode), and
put the neon across the capacitor as well.

Then connect the whole lot across the mains. Flash period is not far
off resistor in megohms x capacitor in uF..

Modifying a neon equipped socket should be relatively trivial.

The first thing anyone used to do when answering posts is to read them
first. Did you really think a guy who found a 500 watt halogen inadequate
was going to be satisfied with a flashing neon lamp??

Granted, the principle IS the same. Thing is, if you want a fast charge to
get a xenon lamp flashing within a small fraction of a second with similar
repeat interval, you'll need a fairly low resistance to get current into
your capacitor fast. That could mean a loss of 10 watts in that resistor,
so fitting that into a tiny enclosure safely is a no-no. You either need a
bigger unit with good ventillation, OR a small sealed unit that won't start
or run at high speed and high energy, you're going to have to compromise at
some point.

One possibility is to use a high speed AND high power for fast response,
but if you do this in a small container that uses a single second's worth
of power supply to get several fast hard flashes done in that second,
you'll need to put a timer in there to force it to shut down after that
secone even if power is still applied, and you'll want to back that up with
a thermal cutout too for safety.

 

[Homer J Simpson]

"Lostgallifreyan" <no-one@nowhere.net> wrote in message
news:Xns98898014716zoodlewurdle@140.99.99.130...

The first thing anyone used to do when answering posts is to read them
first. Did you really think a guy who found a 500 watt halogen inadequate
was going to be satisfied with a flashing neon lamp??

The correct answer to the original post is no.

 

[Lostgallifreyan]

"Homer J Simpson" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote in
news:2DZah.247$YV4.96@edtnps89:

"Lostgallifreyan" <no-one@nowhere.net> wrote in message
news:Xns98898014716zoodlewurdle@140.99.99.130...

The first thing anyone used to do when answering posts is to read
them first. Did you really think a guy who found a 500 watt halogen
inadequate was going to be satisfied with a flashing neon lamp??

The correct answer to the original post is no.

The post I answered wasn't even a question.

If you mean the real original, then saying no is pointless, the guy already
knows you can't easily get a self-contained plugin strobe, or he wouldn't
be asking. So he has to make it if he wants one, or adapt something.

Vellemann made a kit you could buy from Maplin, it used around ten watts,
started fast, and if you watched the heat dissipation, it could be adapted
to something like this. So could one of those tiny Ł12 widgets used for
small DJ setups. You might have to mount it on a shelf or bracket but
that's just DIY. So the answer isn't "no".

 

[Homer J Simpson]

"Lostgallifreyan" <no-one@nowhere.net> wrote in message
news:Xns9889ACDF3EC6zoodlewurdle@140.99.99.130...

The correct answer to the original post is no.

The post I answered wasn't even a question.

If you mean the real original, then saying no is pointless, the guy
already
knows you can't easily get a self-contained plugin strobe, or he wouldn't
be asking. So he has to make it if he wants one, or adapt something.

Vellemann made a kit you could buy from Maplin, it used around ten watts,
started fast, and if you watched the heat dissipation, it could be adapted
to something like this. So could one of those tiny Ł12 widgets used for
small DJ setups. You might have to mount it on a shelf or bracket but
that's just DIY. So the answer isn't "no".

But you'd have to add some sort of latch to extend the on time from one
second.

 

[Lostgallifreyan]

"Homer J Simpson" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote in
news:9a_ah.363$YV4.152@edtnps89:

"Lostgallifreyan" <no-one@nowhere.net> wrote in message
news:Xns9889ACDF3EC6zoodlewurdle@140.99.99.130...

The correct answer to the original post is no.

The post I answered wasn't even a question.

If you mean the real original, then saying no is pointless, the guy
already
knows you can't easily get a self-contained plugin strobe, or he
wouldn't be asking. So he has to make it if he wants one, or adapt
something.

Vellemann made a kit you could buy from Maplin, it used around ten
watts, started fast, and if you watched the heat dissipation, it
could be adapted to something like this. So could one of those tiny
Ł12 widgets used for small DJ setups. You might have to mount it on a
shelf or bracket but that's just DIY. So the answer isn't "no".

But you'd have to add some sort of latch to extend the on time from
one second.

He only wants one second's worth. He'll probably get it too, a capacitor
that takes the first quarter of a second reaching a charge capable of
running the strobe might keep it flashing for a quarter second after the
power turns off. If timing to catch the eye is all that matters, this is
ok. That Vellemann kit, and probably the DJ type cheap strobes, start very
quickly after power is applied, they're meant to be capable of flashing in
tens-of-Hz rates. If you set the rate lower, it should run cooler, and
still be fast enough to do tens of flashes in the second during power on.
The only problem is convenience.

I think the best answer is the cheap DJ types, they're small, safe, legally
rated as safe, and they plug in to a standard plug. They fall short of the
single plugin lump the OP wanted, but such is life.. On the upside, he gets
more choice in position and orientation, and flash speed, than he is likely
to get any other way.

 

[Lostgallifreyan]

Actually, you'd need a second capacitor in the low volt supply in the unit
to power the oscillator and trigger circuit to be sure of using the last
useful charge in the main cap after power goes, but that's not important
unless you're modifying the beacon strobe type.

I think the fast DJ strobe type is a better idea if it's only running for
one second, far more eye catching in bright conditions because of the high
repeat rate.

 

Lostgallifreyan wrote:

to something like this. So could one of those tiny Ł12 widgets used for
small DJ setups. You might have to mount it on a shelf or bracket but
that's just DIY.

not going to compare too good to 500w of halogen.

So the answer isn't "no".

No, there are many options. If the alarm is only triggered rarely, one
might even consider a 110v halogen lamp inside a fixture with
protective shield. Its as simple and cheap as it gets, very powerful
and fast starting. But you only get 1 flash.


NT

 

[Lostgallifreyan]

meow2222@care2.com wrote in
news:1164738832.835445.249660@h54g2000cwb.googlegroups.com:

to something like this. So could one of those tiny Ł12 widgets used for
small DJ setups. You might have to mount it on a shelf or bracket but
that's just DIY.

not going to compare too good to 500w of halogen.

I'm familiar with 500 W halogens at close range, and distant, and the
flashing of a strobe is a better contest than you'd think. Fast flashes
really catch the attention, as makers of bike lights know. How do you
compete with a 60W brake light on each side of a car when all you have is a
few LED's powered by a couple of AA batteries? Make them flash, fast. It
works, beleive me.

In this case, the light isn't even likely to be competing for the same
bandwidth, exactly, even in bright sunlight a strobe will flash with short
wavelengths at intensities great enough to be seen.

The OP didn't say whether the thing can be directional or must be widely
dispersed. If directional is ok, it could be fronted by a 6" square fresnel
lens (often cheap on eBay and from surplus places). You'd still see it from
a wide dispersion if you are looking right at it, but even if you are not,
it would catch your eye totally if you were stationed in its main field. If
it can be directed, much less power needs to be handled.


One idea that might work is a widely dispersed diode laser beam, with a
divergence of at least 12°. You can use LED's for this too, but laser
diodes are vastly more efficient, and at wide angles like that, are totally
safe, and monochomatic light is another good method of competing against
powerful broadband light. This can make a very tiny unit, it can also be
made to flash. The main weakness is that it's only good if you want it to
be highly directional.