Anybody ever built one? I have been tasked to build one for an upcoming car show... it's a theme thing. So, lifesize is the important part.
summit wants between $500 and $700 for something like this:

http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/pts-3100_cp.jpg

Because ours is a demo only model, there will be no "staging games" ;) So it will simply count down in a normal (non pro-tree) style.

Any ideas on how to do the control electronics in a cheap efficient manner? I expect to use a DC timer circuit, somthing that counts from 1 to 7, and then repeats. Just a 555 timer and a counter all running from a 9VDC battery. The tricky part is the output relays that turn on the lights. Can I just use a single pole (normally open) relay and have all lamps use a common return (neutral)?

If I use 7 relays (making for 2 lamps supplied via each relay), what size amperage should the relay be? These will be 60 watt bulbs. These relays will be cycled about 1 every 10 seconds - for a full day. So, arcing could be bad.


Or, is there something alredy assembled that will do what I want?
Thanks for the time. :)

Mike,

Now aren't you supposed to be some dang 'ole fancy 'lectrical engineer.

I had to put down my holiday-time beer to reply...I guess I'll have to post a schematic.

Relays?!! C'mon now son, haven't you heard of the engineer's little friend the MOC3010???

Read all about it:

Optoisolator triac driver (http://www.fairchildsemi.com/ds/MO/MOC3010-M.pdf)

So I'm thinking 555 timer driving the clock input on a '4017 decade counter--those outputs firing at the MOC3010's.

Are the wheels starting to turn?

Lady 'Lectricity be a curious mistress...

Have a Happy Holidays Mike.

I did not know of the MOC3010. I didn't think opto-isolators and DC/AC mixing was a normal thing, but that device does have some diodes pointing both ways (triac ;) ). You just aves mea bout $3.00 for lamps. I'll have to read further about the current handeling abilites... I'm a little drunk right now. Hence the bad spelling. :D

The only thing that makes me a fancy engineer is the **** I don't use. It's the practical stuff that I need help on. :D But I can design a non-linear six-stat Kalman filter to estimate the position of a inboudn ballistic missile. :rolleyese:

bedtime...

EDIt.. saved me $3 per lamp. so 3x7=21ish so about $25 with shipping. I'll buy your a coke and call it even. :cool:

I'm a little drunk right now. Hence the bad spelling. :D

:

You and I need to have a talk about this drinking crap sometime. I have seen altogether too many of your posts, over the years, where you refer to that "state" in your posts. You are too nice a guy to be burning your candle at both ends like you seem to be doing. :)

I only drink on occasion now. Much less frequent than days of old. I just need to stear clear of the Crown Royal. That stuff tastes like sweet tea. ;)

I"m not sure where Temecula is, but if it's near San Fran or San diego, I'll stop in on my next trip out west. Or, you can stop off hear on your way somewheres. I'll show you the completed dragstrip light contraption. :)

EDIT.
Basicall, this is what I will use. With perhaps Joe's spiffy part... which ever will source two 60W bulbs.
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Bill_Bowden/aclamps.gif