lighting & electronics

Ask and answer questions, share tips and resources for installing lighting and other electronics in your models.

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cerberus
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Joined: Fri Jun 04, 2010 4:41 pm
Location: Fremont, Ohio

lighting & electronics

Post by cerberus »

My wife recently purchased a box of train stuff for her nephew and in it was a 3909 LED flasher/oscillater from Radio Shack is this of any use in wiring up a lighting system for a model. according to the package it will operate one year one a "C" battery. If so how do you use it.
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Jeff Herne
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Location: Ixonia, WI (slightly right of center)

Post by Jeff Herne »

If this is the 'wig-wag' signal crossing circuit, I've used two of them tied together to get a semi-believable random flashing. I think the newer units have potentiometers on them to adjust the rate of flash. By using two units with 4 different colored LEDs and varying flash rates, you can get get all sorts of flashing effects.

J
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DLMatthys
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Post by DLMatthys »

The LM3909 chip is still one of my favorite chips. It will make a LED or GOW lamp flash like a strobe light. They are used in several of the circuit boards that I etch out. Features a 470 capacitor, resisters and a trim pot. The chip I still can buy @ wholesale.

Some simple DIY circuits schematics shown here...
http://www.bowdenshobbycircuits.info/pa ... 5flash.gif

http://www.bowdenshobbycircuits.info/


I sell the chips and circuit boards at my web store.
As bare boards, kits with parts or sometimes costume built.
DL Matthys
don@dlmparts.com
http://www.dlmparts.com
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Madman Lighting
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Post by Madman Lighting »

I am just amazed you can still get that part Don. Who still makes it anyway? It was popular about 10 years ago but things have changed a bit, no offense!
That Madman Who Lit Up Deep Space Nine
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