Lego Flashing lights

[ilovetrains24]

Hi guys, my 1st post/question, does any one know how to make alternating flashing lights like a railroad crossing has? (Flashes left-right-left-right)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Z9pAUemAw4

Or even to make flashing lights like this:

Heres a video of a railroad crossing:

Thanks.

[Alasdair Ryan]

Hello and welcome to Eurobricks.

You can buy Lego made flashing lights from bricklink,which used the old 9v electric system.

[ilovetrains24]

Yeah, but i want the light to flash slowly

[peter_m]

Use some microcontroller - like e.g. Arduino - there are lots of ready-to-use pieces of code on the internet with guidelines how to connect the hardware (blinking LED: http://arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/Blink?from=Tutorial.BlinkingLED). Check this thread -> http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=82446 to see how to mount LEDs into liftarms.

[Alasdair Ryan]

Yeah, but i want the light to flash slowly

Ok, just gear down a cam connected to a poll reverser switch,the switch is connected to the lights.

[SteveNesta]

See my tank thread and look at the flashing lights mechanism for the rear end using a PF switch and an M motor. If you use the gear on the motor to turn two switches set at 180 degrees apart, that should fit your needs.

[ilovetrains24]

@SteveNesta, wheres you tank thread, i can find it.

[Someonenamedjon]

http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=82003#entry1581444 click his name and search under his toics created on the left bar.

[legomania94]

the exact name of the first flashing light is? to look it up on BrickLink

[Alasdair Ryan]

Here you go...

[legomania94]

but the light is flashing or 4767 is to be fixed? and how can I turn? thanks :)

[Alasdair Ryan]

but the light is flashing or 4767 is to be fixed? and how can I turn? thanks :)

If you want it to flash you just have to turn it the other way around.

[legomania94]

if not stay fixed? but what c and to turn it on?

[Alasdair Ryan]

if not stay fixed?

Yes,then it would stay on with out flashing.

You will need a pf converter cable and a 'electric plate' unless you are using the 9v system.

[legomania94]

I could use for zoster, then use the system of Zorex! but that would be all those things that I need?

[Alasdair Ryan]

But that would be all those things that I need?

you will need a light (I used the single one with bulb on top),a pf extension wire and a 2x4 electric plate.

[legomania94]

I do not have these things? there is another way?

[dhc6twinotter]

Hello and welcome to Eurobricks.

You can buy Lego made flashing lights from bricklink,which used the old 9v electric system.

That's good to know! I knew the dual bulb light piece could be flipped to flash, but I didn't know the single bulb pieces were the same way. I always wondered that though.

[Alasdair Ryan]

If you had seen any of my videos of my mocs you may of seen them flashing,as I tend to use them for decoration.

[legomania94]

What is the converter cable pf?

[Hrafn]

What is the converter cable pf?

There are two Power Functions (PF) extension cables, one of which is 20cm long (#8886) and the other is 20in (# 8870) long. Each of them has two different ends. One end (which is colored dark blueish gray) can be connected to PF wires on the top or bottom of the connector. The other end (which is light blueish gray) can be connected to PF wires on its top, or the old 9V system on its bottom. Thus either extension cable can be used as a converter so that PF elements can drive 9V elements like the old light bricks.

http://www.eurobrick...03#entry1581444 click his name and search under his toics created on the left bar.

You may also want to check out what Sariel has done with motorizing switches to control lights. He discusses it to some extent on his website:

http://sariel.pl/2010/10/automated-trafficators-system-2/

Sariel talks about it more in his book "The Unofficial Technic LEGO Builder's Guide", which I recommend very highly - it talks about all sorts of mechanisms from steering geometry to transmissions to pneumatics.

[legomania94]

but the connection of these parts "you'll need a light (I used the single bulb above), an extension cord and an electric plate pf 2x4" coem you do? as you turn on the light?

thank you very much for the explanation, however,

[Alasdair Ryan]

Does this help?

Edited August 5, 2013 by Alasdair Ryan

[legomania94]

you just looking for this thank you! but the ignition is direct without anything?

[Alasdair Ryan]

Yes.

Edited August 5, 2013 by Alasdair Ryan