HI all

I am very new to electronics so have no idea what I'm doing.

My son wants me to build him a level crossing with flashing lights and bell. Here's what I was thinking:

1. PVC pipe construction for the frame.
2. 12V trailer lights
3. 12V buzzer

So once I've got the build of it, I turn to powering it.

Having not built a circuit before, was hoping someone could help me out with ideas to power and run it. The requirements from my point of view:

1. 240V plug to use mains power....
2. light flashes need to alternate.
3. buzzer / bell runs the entire time.
4. switch to run the bell separate to the lights.

With that in mind, can I just run the buzzer through a switch directly to a power box, but how do I get lights to flash alternately for about 1 second before switching....?

Any basic help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much.

 

Welcome to AAC

Are you trying to run mains operated bulbs and lights and let your kid play with it ?
Won't it be safe to use a stepdown transformer like mains to 12V and use that to operate your circuit.

 

Welcome to AAC

Are you trying to run mains operated bulbs and lights and let your kid play with it ?
Won't it be safe to use a stepdown transformer like mains to 12V and use that to operate your circuit.

Sorry should've been clearer. I was planning on running it off a 12V DC box, but have that plugged into mains.

 

Aah ! OK.
So now you need to flash LEDs or 12V filament bulbs ?
if filament state rated power ?
Can you get relays ?

 

I was just about to suggest something simpler. Get a doorbell transformer which will bring the 240VAC down to 8VAC or 12VAC. You can run the 12V trailer ligths directly off of this.

For flasher, use an automotive flasher relay which you can salvage from an auto scrap yard, along with all the side lights that you need.

 

I was suggesting the flasher relay too.
Now I see I missed the word "Flasher".

 

Thanks guys!

So I get a 12VDC power supply. Then I can just hook that up to a switch, flasher relays and lights?

I was just going to buy some cheap lights from ebay.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/400642952085?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

They don't state power, but they are LEDs so I'm guessing extremely low.....

Then I'll run the bell on a separate circuit, also with a switch and standard relay.

Thinking through the relay wiring. How do I get the lights to alternate though? Do I need 2 relays connected somehow?

 

Find a flasher Relay or two and we'll tell you how to wire.

 

There are already circuits on the web for model railway layouts