Help Modding a Floodlight

[chairleaner]

I just got a floodlight type thing you use with a wall plug and mount on a tripod like this.

What I want to do is modify it to work as a strobe light and I'm wondering if that's possible and how to do it. I have a circuit built (using a 555 timer IC and 10k potentiometer) that works with an LED but the 555 IC definitely can't handling 220v or whatever would be going into it. I assume I would have to make some sort of pulse generator with larger components, but if I'll opt for whatever is the easiest and least expensive. I would like for the rate of flash to be adjustable. Any ideas?

 

[Steve K]

Are those incandescent bulbs? I don't think they can be used for a strobe, unless you are willing to tolerate a rather long pulse duration.

As far as the electronics go, I think that a triac would be the most appropriate switching element, with perhaps an optocoupler for driving the triac. The 555 would generate the pulse signal that would go to the optocoupler. Check companies like OnSemi for triacs and application notes for driving them.

edit: OnSemi has a nice app note on how to understand and use triacs and other thyristor devices:
http://www.onsemi.com/pub_link/Collateral/HBD855-D.PDF

 

[jason 77]

Are those incandescent bulbs? I don't think they can be used for a strobe, unless you are willing to tolerate a rather long pulse duration.

As far as the electronics go, I think that a triac would be the most appropriate switching element, with perhaps an optocoupler for driving the triac. The 555 would generate the pulse signal that would go to the optocoupler. Check companies like OnSemi for triacs and application notes for driving them.

edit: OnSemi has a nice app note on how to understand and use triacs and other thyristor devices:
http://www.onsemi.com/pub_link/Collateral/HBD855-D.PDF

I would think it would also shorten the life of any Incandescent bulbs plugged into the thing?