Homemade RR Crossing Lights?

A few years ago, I made a 9'tall RR crossing sign for my driveway, complete with red flood lights. I'm wondering if anyone can tell me how I can get the floodlights to flash alternatively? Here is a picture of it from a year ago (next to my homemade 4-8-2 bbq grill/smoker) http://www.frisco.org/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=12231.&d=1291262737

 

I might be able to help you, I am a retired electrical/electronics engineer. But I need to know a few things first, the bulbs you are using, what is the operating voltage and current/wattage. do they run off of regular 120 VAC house current? Are you running them from a dc source such as a car battery? What flash rate are you going for? one second on, one second off, for example. Will the circuit be indoors or does it need to be water proof? Custom circuits usually cost far more to build, than one you can buy. You might consider doing a google search for flasher circuits.

 

Here's a link to the bulbs. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sylvania-Outdoor-Flood-Light-Bulb-Red/16927879 100W. 120v. 1 second flashes (alternately) is desired. Outdoors (I could "scratch build" a water tight housing if needed.)

 

Eureka! I believe this 120v 2 light alternating flasher is what I need to make my homemade crossing flash. $35.00 http://www.trafficlights.com/AFad.htm#AF1039 I am going to buy one of these at some point in the next 10 months for the 2012 Christmas display. If anyone has an idea that will work and costs less, let me know. What type of bulbs would last the longest with the constant on/off pattern?

 

Well Frisco Folk, the AFT3 flasher circuit is apparently no longer available...at least from that company. Back to square one. Does anyone know where I could purchase a 120v alternating flasher circuit for my homemade RR crossing?

 

I've had a decorative crossing signal project on the back burner for a couple of years. I finally called http://lightstogo.com/ today and ordered their model AFN3, dual channel, 120V AC, 2 light, alternating Flasher w/ adjustable speed control http://www.trafficlights.com/images/AFT3_s.jpg. Here is a wiring diagram: http://www.trafficlights.com/pdf/AFN3WIRE1.pdf. I asked them what type of bulb best endures the abuse of the constant on/off flashing but they didn't seem to think any one type of bulb would be better than another. So... I thought I'd ask the frisco.org users... Can anyone recommend any 120V AC bulbs that can best withstand wig wag blinking for up to 5-6 hours each evening during the holidays that hopefully won't break the bank? I'm going to purchase a few spare bulbs as well. Thanks - Brandon

 

Got my wigwag relay today! Progress posts to come.

 

One step closer.