Strobe

[dusty IV]

Getting old you know. Today I'm flying a glider and the thing almost got lost in the sky. Fuzzy sky can really hide a plane at altitude. So I'm thinking I need a flashing strobe.

I tried a long time ago to use a disposable camera flash but never pulled it off. That circuit is very clever to hold cost down but super goosey if you try to modify it. Appeared to be a real current hog as I remember.

Any body got a source for a really bright flash? The new LED's are not bright enough for me.

I wonder if high voltage strobes have a RFI problem with the radio?

[vintage1]

They probably would be a bit of an issue..the Xenon strobes we used in discos would often be audible in the sound gear..tick-tick-tick..

I find panels of dayglo help enormously. If you can't see that chances are the plane is out of sight completely anyway.

[Daniel7866]

I have used this (http://www.geocities.com/lemagicien_2000/elecpage/maxflash/maxflash.html) to modify a flash light for a similar project. To reduce power consumption (and brightness too) you can change the discharge capacitor for a lower capacity value if you want.
Not yet used on a plane. Maybe I'm telling myself I'm too young ;) .

Daniel

[AndyKunz]

I would have a hard time justifying to myself a need to fly BVR. If I can't adequately see my plane, how safe is that? Wouldn't a strobe simply give me excuse to fly it even less safely?

Andy

[Acetronics]

Hi, Dusty

I think MULTIPLEX made an altitude flasher that flashes ( What a surprise ...) when you reach sufficient altitude ... If the "sufficient altitude" is programmed as 2 or 3 hundred feet ...

You've got it !!!

Plus a batt saver if you fly " just in front of you"

Alain

[Kernwrech]

I have done my strobes from disposable camera parts. I get used cameras for free from local camera shop, and all I need to do is to modify them slightly. works wonders and comes cheap :D