How to modify a camera flash circuit for external trigger
Archiver
Posts: 46,084
Hello,
I have a xenon flash circuit from one of those disposable cameras. The
camera has two switches. One to turn the charge circuit on, and another to
initiate the flash when pressed. I want to modify the circuit to detect
dusk using a CDS cell and come on, detect dawn an go off. I would like
some kind of timing circuit, probably utilizing a 555 chip with a counter
that can be set to say flash 2, 3, or 4 times a minute.
What I think I have in mind is a 555 circuit with a 50% duty cycle and a
decade counter chip with a reset pin. Once the count has reached a certain
number, it triggers the flash and resets the decade counter. I have also
thought about a cheep micro to do these functions along with some type of
pot command to read the light intensity.
Does anyone have any ideas on how to flash the strobe. I mean, what
component could handle the voltage/current going through it?
Brian G.
I have a xenon flash circuit from one of those disposable cameras. The
camera has two switches. One to turn the charge circuit on, and another to
initiate the flash when pressed. I want to modify the circuit to detect
dusk using a CDS cell and come on, detect dawn an go off. I would like
some kind of timing circuit, probably utilizing a 555 chip with a counter
that can be set to say flash 2, 3, or 4 times a minute.
What I think I have in mind is a 555 circuit with a 50% duty cycle and a
decade counter chip with a reset pin. Once the count has reached a certain
number, it triggers the flash and resets the decade counter. I have also
thought about a cheep micro to do these functions along with some type of
pot command to read the light intensity.
Does anyone have any ideas on how to flash the strobe. I mean, what
component could handle the voltage/current going through it?
Brian G.
Comments
camera circuit for a shocker and a strobe -- check their back issues.
The tube itself is charged to about 300 volts DC -- this is across the
terminals on each end. It is triggered by a 3-4,000 volt pulse applied to
the wire or foil around the middle of the tube.
Original Message
> I have a xenon flash circuit from one of those disposable cameras. The
> camera has two switches. One to turn the charge circuit on, and another
to
> initiate the flash when pressed. I want to modify the circuit to detect
> dusk using a CDS cell and come on, detect dawn an go off. I would like
> some kind of timing circuit, probably utilizing a 555 chip with a counter
> that can be set to say flash 2, 3, or 4 times a minute.
>
> What I think I have in mind is a 555 circuit with a 50% duty cycle and a
> decade counter chip with a reset pin. Once the count has reached a
certain
> number, it triggers the flash and resets the decade counter. I have also
> thought about a cheep micro to do these functions along with some type of
> pot command to read the light intensity.
>
> Does anyone have any ideas on how to flash the strobe. I mean, what
> component could handle the voltage/current going through it?