flashing light circuit

[paul60]

i am looking for a circuit that will flash a led strobe light about every 2 seconds
a light like the ones used on bikes but not a continuous light like the ones on bikes
what led types would i need for this, as i need a very bright light.
this will be used daytimes only.
i have a couple 555 ic
thanks this is the type of thing i am thinking about

 

[Gryd3]

i am looking for a circuit that will flash a led strobe light about every 2 seconds
a light like the ones used on bikes but not a continuous light like the ones on bikes
what led types would i need for this, as i need a very bright light.
this will be used daytimes only.
i have a couple 555 ic
thanks this is the type of thing i am thinking about

So, you're wanting to have a single flash every 2 seconds. Are you fine with drift? Perhaps it flashes once every 2.2 to 1.8 seconds.
Please be aware that flashing light for automotive purposes are illegal in many states and provinces, especially if they are using a reserved color for law enforcement.

What do you plan to power it with?
As far as 'which' leds to use. Go do a quick search for 3 Watt LED's you will find many come mounted to a small star like metallic plate. They can be quite bright.

 

[paul60]

yes drift is ok this is to be used a a pest deterrent i have a problem with monkeys in my garden and i think a bright light that comes on every 2.3 seconds might solve the problem this will be powered by a 12 volt supply
this supply was used to power a tape deck.
so you think a 3 watt led is my best bet?
if i can pick something up instead of building thats another way i can go

 

[Gryd3]

yes drift is ok this is to be used a a pest deterrent i have a problem with monkeys in my garden and i think a bright light that comes on every 2.3 seconds might solve the problem this will be powered by a 12 volt supply
this supply was used to power a tape deck.
so you think a 3 watt led is my best bet?
if i can pick something up instead of building thats another way i can go

If you are fine with drift, a 555 timer will work just fine.
As far as the LED is concerned, I was mentioning a 3W LED based on the supplied video. You can get LED in anything from little 25mW to 100W.
I suggest you hop online and look for two things:
High power LED modules.
12V LED power supply matching the LED module.

I bought some 10Watt LEDs and little drivers from DX a couple months back. They are brighter than the 60Watt frosted incandescent lamp I had in the ceiling.
If you'd like, I can take one outside and snap a picture for you in daylight to see if it's bright enough for you.

 

[paul60]

thanks Gryd3 a photo would be a great help thanks
will go online and see what i can find thanks allot

 

[Gryd3]

thanks Gryd3 a photo would be a great help thanks
will go online and see what i can find thanks allot

Of course.
Now... I have a bad memory so If I don't post a pic by tonight, send me a message as a reminder!

 

[paul60]

Hi Gryd3 can you send me the link to the leds and power supply you purchase from DX?
thanks

 

[Gryd3]

I'm pretty certain this is the model I bought.
I have 3 units at home. The driver that is included is intended to be plugged into a 12V socket normally used by halogen lights.

http://www.dx.com/p/jrled-10w-600lm...power-supply-driver-board-353775#.VTAghvnF9vk

I'll get you pics when I get home after work

 

[Gryd3]

I have 'some' pictures already... none outside which I think would be a better comparison.
The blue LED is a 1Watt LED
The white is a 10Watt LED as linked in my previous post.

One image is of one of each LED side by side, the other I have covered the 10W LED with a translucent plastic cup.
The last, is a picture of all 3 10W LEDs lit up. I have 3 60Watt frosted incandescent bulbs in the ceiling fan turned up to full brightness, and a 40Watt clear incandescent in the lamp in the section to the left. The light in the doorway is from 2 T5 20Watt fluorescent tubes. The LED's cause the camera to adjust and make the room look dimmer.

*These were taken when I first got them in December.

 

[paul60]

thanks i will order a couple of the 10 watt ones i will need a timer for the 2-3 seconds . i am thinking a longer delay might work better up to 10 seconds
is there a power supply on Dx i can get to do this?
thanks

 

[Gryd3]

thanks i will order a couple of the 10 watt ones i will need a timer for the 2-3 seconds . i am thinking a longer delay might work better up to 10 seconds
is there a power supply on Dx i can get to do this?
thanks

In the pictures I used an old desktop power supply.
Anything that gives you ~12V will work fine.
The drivers that come with the LEDs have an unused 'inhibit' pin. You can attach a little wire to the inhibit pin to turn the LED on and off. A 555 timer can easily control this without requiring transistors to switch the 12V line on and off. In this case, the 12V supply would always be left on.

Alternatively, you can use a transistor to cut power to the drivers instead. Again this can be controlled by a 555.
How long do you want the light to stay 'on' ?

 

[paul60]

i think 5-6 seconds will work

 

[paul60]

the power supply i have is 115v 4amps output 12volts dc

 

[Gryd3]

It's a long delay, but a 555 can certainly do it.
Alternatively, if this is an animal deterrent, they may learn pretty quickly that a light that turns on every few seconds is not threat... Heck, the animals in my yard ignore the motion light. You may want to make it activate irregularly.
(Many ... feline challenged people are using motion activated sprinklers.)

 

[Gryd3]

the power supply i have is 115v 4amps output 12volts dc

A Single 10W Led will draw almost an amp.
So, is the 4 Amps the 'output' of the power supply you have? It will work nicely for 3, and 'maybe' 4, but that would be pushing it.

 

[paul60]

yes the output is 4amps and i only need 2 10watt leds
i willgo ahead and order them but i know they will take a month to get to me
i live in Barbados