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"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?
Radio shack ?
ISTR Tandy being easier to find.Did you try a Radio Shack one?
Radio shack ?
We have cheap tat in the UK, but not that bad
Septic -> Brit translation - Maplins
"raden" <raden@kateda.org> wrote in message
news:Gy099HiWELbFFwE1@ntlworld.com...
Did you try a Radio Shack one?
Radio shack ?
We have cheap tat in the UK, but not that bad
Septic -> Brit translation - Maplins
ISTR Tandy being easier to find.
I thought that Tandy (being radioshack UK ) ceased to exist years ago
Bought out by Carphone Warehouse AFAIK. One of our local branches is stillI thought that Tandy (being radioshack UK ) ceased to exist years ago
if not, why not and ... where are they ?
In Canada, Intertan became "The Source" by Circuit City. In Australia, DickBought out by Carphone Warehouse AFAIK. One of our local branches is
still in the old Tandy premises. According to the manager, CPW did have a
plan to use the Tandy brand name and he did tell me what it was but it was
so earth-shatteringly exciting that I've completely forgotten what he
said!
As I am the OP, I would say that you are right: a neon is not likelyThe 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.jp
g
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.
What about relaxing the startup requirement - plugging it in somewhereOn 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
Or use the mains pulse to ignite a small pyrotechnic device?What about relaxing the startup requirement - plugging it in somewhere
else, and using the connection simply for a trigger?
The message <456dfa60$0$8751$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader02.plus.net
from Ian Stirling <root@mauve.demon.co.uk> contains these words:
What about relaxing the startup requirement - plugging it in
somewhere else, and using the connection simply for a trigger?
Or use the mains pulse to ignite a small pyrotechnic device?
I think I would agree with the consensus of the opinions here that theI 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.
http://www.pyrotechniques.org/dwilliams/clarksgiant/clarksgiant.htmlThe message <456dfa60$0$8751$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader02.plus.net
from Ian Stirling <root@mauve.demon.co.uk> contains these words:
What about relaxing the startup requirement - plugging it in
somewhere else, and using the connection simply for a trigger?
On 29 Nov 2006, Guy King <guy.king@zetnet.co.uk> wrote:
Or use the mains pulse to ignite a small pyrotechnic device?
A flare should be bright enough ...
http://images.dpchallenge.com/images_challenge/521/359342.jpg
Or my old chemistry master ...In uk.d-i-y jonno <no@no-email.com> wrote:
The message <456dfa60$0$8751$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader02.plus.net
from Ian Stirling <root@mauve.demon.co.uk> contains these words:
What about relaxing the startup requirement - plugging it in
somewhere else, and using the connection simply for a trigger?
On 29 Nov 2006, Guy King <guy.king@zetnet.co.uk> wrote:
Or use the mains pulse to ignite a small pyrotechnic device?
A flare should be bright enough ...
http://images.dpchallenge.com/images_challenge/521/359342.jpg
http://www.pyrotechniques.org/dwilliams/clarksgiant/clarksgiant.html
One of the rotating lamps (like you get on top of commercial vehicles)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.