Alternating lights for crossing at train tracks

[Von Psycho]

My neighbour acquired a set of crossing lights and wants me to wire them as I have already installed them on her tree in the yard.
They use 12 volt automotive bulbs which I can step down using a transformer from 120volts ac.
I can use a car flasher but my real issue is making them flash back and forth as train lights do.
Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

[The Cobbler]

you need an alternating flasher of some sorts.
When i was in auto parts we had them for equipment, but that was many years ago & I forget a lot.

 

[kbuhagiar]

Here's one, but there are plenty out there:

https://www.amazon.com/Solid-State-Flasher-Alternating-Pattern/dp/B00YB9HTQ4?tag=atomicindus08-20

Search for "alternating flasher" or "wig-wag flasher".

 

[Von Psycho]

Thanks guys, since I would like a slow flasher a school bus unit might be the ticket.

 

[The Cobbler]

looks like this one is adjustable DC 4.5-30V 10A Dual Output Alternating Flasher Module https://www.amazon.com/4-5-30V-Output-Alternating-Flasher-Module/dp/B0B1ZQNLTF/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[wyliesdiesels]

My neighbour acquired a set of crossing lights and wants me to wire them as I have already installed them on her tree in the yard.
They use 12 volt automotive bulbs which I can step down using a transformer from 120volts ac.
I can use a car flasher but my real issue is making them flash back and forth as train lights do.
Any ideas would be appreciated.

You probably already know this but you need an AC-DC power supply not an AC transformer.

 

[dodgeramsst2003]

Older cars used a wiring like below with a standard flasher. I found this on the web, there are many other examples. I remember wiring these up when I was in school in one of my labs. Depends on how fancy you want to get.

 

[dcg9381]

I know these types of circuits as "flip-flop" - I can find various 12v on the web.

 

[no704]

 

[wssix99]

I have done this before and used a Tridon EL13 A-2 flasher. It's built for 150W wig-wag headlights and works like a charm for railroad crossing lights.

My use was on a Halloween costume where I went as a railroad crossing. I also had a 4' gate mounted to a motorized cod piece. It was a fun night of stepping into traffic and stopping everyone. ... They must have thought a lot of things, but the lights were definitely realistic.

 

[kbuhagiar]

I have done this before and used a Tridon EL13 A-2 flasher. It's built for 150W wig-wag headlights and works like a charm for railroad crossing lights.

My use was on a Halloween costume where I went as a railroad crossing. I also had a 4' gate mounted to a motorized cod piece. It was a fun night of stepping into traffic and stopping everyone. ... They must have thought a lot of things, but the lights were definitely realistic.

Pictures?

 

[AntonLargiader]

RR crossing lights alternate pretty slowly, I think you'd lose that authentic effect if you used a wig-wag flasher that was too fast.

 

[Doozer75]

You probably already know this but you need an AC-DC power supply not an AC transformer.

Why?

-Doozer

 

[AffableCurmudgeon]

Why?

-Doozer

Transformers convert one AC voltage to another AC voltage. AC-DC power supply converts AC power to DC power.

 

[Doozer75]

Why can't light bulbs be powered by AC?
It is not a new concept.

-D

 

[mike93lx]

Why can't light bulbs be powered by AC?
It is not a new concept.

-D

As long as they aren't led's they will probably be ok

 

[Doozer75]

LEDs are diodes, and will absolutely run on AC.
They ARE rectifiers.

-D

 

[wssix99]

Pictures?

RR crossing lights alternate pretty slowly, I think you'd lose that authentic effect if you used a wig-wag flasher that was too fast.

The EL13 was an experiment and I intended to either add a resistive load to the lights or additional resistors inside the flasher to slow it down. It turned out to be great out-of-the-box as-is.

There are modules like this: https://www.trafficlights.com/flashers/d2m-dc-alternating-flasher/

^ but the auto parts flasher was much simpler to deal with. You can also get pigtails for the flasher so it all goes together really easily.

 

[AffableCurmudgeon]

Why can't light bulbs be powered by AC?
It is not a new concept.

-D

‘Cause the OP said “They use 12 volt automotive bulbs“.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Why?

-Doozer

Why can't light bulbs be powered by AC?
It is not a new concept.

-D

umm because the OP said 12v AUTOMATOVE BULBS, which run on DC not AC.

when's the last time you had an AC rated light bulb in a car?

LEDs are diodes, and will absolutely run on AC.
They ARE rectifiers.

-D

last time i replaced the LED bulbs in my car, they ran on 12vDC not AC. please show me an automotive bulb that runs on 12v AC. Also please show me a vehicle that runs its lights on 12v AC. go ahead ill wait

 

[wyliesdiesels]

deleted

 

[CoogarXR]

You can also use an automotive turn signal flasher plug to power a SPDT relay with one bulb on each terminal of the relay. Power on, left bulb, power off, right bulb, with the flasher plug turning the relay power on and off. If that makes sense.

 

[Bert_]

AC or DC doesn't matter for an incandescent bulb, 12 volts is 12 volts.

I don't think a thermal flasher would care either but I'm not 100% on that one. The newer electronic style flasher would almost definitely need to be powered with DC if that's what it was designed for.

 

[Doozer75]

‘Cause the OP said “They use 12 volt automotive bulbs“.

umm because the OP said 12v AUTOMATOVE BULBS, which run on DC not AC.

when's the last time you had an AC rated light bulb in a car?


last time i replaced the LED bulbs in my car, they ran on 12vDC not AC. please show me an automotive bulb that runs on 12v AC. Also please show me a vehicle that runs its lights on 12v AC. go ahead ill wait

Learn about light bulbs guys.
A tungsten filament light bulb will run on AC or DC.
Fact of the physical world.
It is always preferred to power filament light bulbs with AC always,
because using DC erodes one attachment point where the tungsten
wire transitions to the heavier current carrying wire in the glass bulb
envelope. Filament bulbs always burn longer on AC because it does
not have this erosion problem of the one side of the tungsten.
Automotive bulbs are built especially heavy because this is a known
and understood phenomenon by lamp manufacturers.
LEDs being light emitting diodes will also operate on AC or DC, because
it is a diode or rectifier. Diodes are used to chop up AC and convert it
to DC current. LEDs just happen to produce light as an added bonus.
So both you guys are making assertions based on nomenclature.
It is just not true and a poor way to make a valid point in a discussion.
It is like saying you can not use motor oil to lubricate anything but a
motor. Like trying to tell me it won't work to quiet a squeaky door hinge
because it is for motors. A very ridiculous way to prove a point.
Anyhow, maybe you should not believe everything you know.
Learning is always better than making assertions. If you reject learning
because of what life has done to you, I can not help you there.
Good day.

-Doozer

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Learn about light bulbs guys.
A tungsten filament light bulb will run on AC or DC.
Fact of the physical world.
It is always preferred to power filament light bulbs with AC always,
because using DC erodes one attachment point where the tungsten
wire transitions to the heavier current carrying wire in the glass bulb
envelope. Filament bulbs always burn longer on AC because it does
not have this erosion problem of the one side of the tungsten.
Automotive bulbs are built especially heavy because this is a known
and understood phenomenon by lamp manufacturers.
LEDs being light emitting diodes will also operate on AC or DC, because
it is a diode or rectifier. Diodes are used to chop up AC and convert it
to DC current. LEDs just happen to produce light as an added bonus.
So both you guys are making assertions based on nomenclature.
It is just not true and a poor way to make a valid point in a discussion.
It is like saying you can not use motor oil to lubricate anything but a
motor. Like trying to tell me it won't work to quiet a squeaky door hinge
because it is for motors. A very ridiculous way to prove a point.
Anyhow, maybe you should not believe everything you know.
Learning is always better than making assertions. If you reject learning
because of what life has done to you, I can not help you there.
Good day.

-Doozer

you didnt answer my questions. does you car have AC power feeding the lights?

 

[wssix99]

This AC/DC stuff is moot. I expect that any flasher that the OP is going to go with will be a DC device and will decide how the electrical will be done.

 

[Wrench97]

DC power supply, 12v flasher and a 5 post relay.
On the relay Power to term #30, flasher to term #85, Ground to term #86 lights to terms #87 & 87a the flasher makes the relay alternate between 87 & 87a.

 

[CoogarXR]

DC power supply, 12v flasher and a 5 post relay.
On the relay Power to term #30, flasher to term #85, Ground to term #86 lights to terms #87 & 87a the flasher makes the relay alternate between 87 & 87a.

That's basically what I said in post 22, lol

 

[Doozer75]

you didnt answer my questions. does you car have AC power feeding the lights?

Does wearing pants kill people?
Because all people who wear pants eventually die.
Women live longer than men, because they wear skirts
and dresses some of the time, where men wear pants
all the time. So it must mean that wearing pants is
bad for you, and slowly kills you.
Please answer MY question first.

-Doozer

 

[Max]

Learn about light bulbs guys.
A tungsten filament light bulb will run on AC or DC.
Fact of the physical world.
It is always preferred to power filament light bulbs with AC always,
because using DC erodes one attachment point where the tungsten
wire transitions to the heavier current carrying wire in the glass bulb
envelope. Filament bulbs always burn longer on AC because it does
not have this erosion problem of the one side of the tungsten.
Automotive bulbs are built especially heavy because this is a known
and understood phenomenon by lamp manufacturers.
LEDs being light emitting diodes will also operate on AC or DC, because
it is a diode or rectifier. Diodes are used to chop up AC and convert it
to DC current. LEDs just happen to produce light as an added bonus.
So both you guys are making assertions based on nomenclature.
It is just not true and a poor way to make a valid point in a discussion.
It is like saying you can not use motor oil to lubricate anything but a
motor. Like trying to tell me it won't work to quiet a squeaky door hinge
because it is for motors. A very ridiculous way to prove a point.
Anyhow, maybe you should not believe everything you know.
Learning is always better than making assertions. If you reject learning
because of what life has done to you, I can not help you there.
Good day.

-Doozer

I completely agree that incandescent bulbs can operate just fine on either AC or DC. I also agree that LEDs are diodes and they will rectify AC. However LEDs typically have a very poor reverse voltage rating and you may destroy them with a relatively low value of AC. So I strongly suggest that you check the data sheet first before you put a LED on AC...

 

[Adaylate]

These lights when wired in a RR signal case used a flasher that flashed at 45-60 fpm. Normal operation was at 10 vac. Then if the power went of there was a power transfer relay that allowed them to work from standby battery.
I have occasionally seen the flasher relays for sale on ebay.
Good luck with your project!

 

[AntonLargiader]

If it were mine I think I would convert to LEDs (probably build bulbs for it) and write Arduino code to control it. That way I could control the speed, intensity, and fade-in/out.

 

[ArcReactorKC]

 

[dave*99]

Hmmm AC/DC automotive bulbs and they are LED too....

1156 LED Bulb 6 to 12 Volt 2.6 Watt - Automotive - LEDLight

1156 led bulb 6 to 24 volt positive ground or negative ground. Installs in just seconds in your car, truck or motorcycle.

www.ledlight.com

 

[dave*99]

Here is a callout for AC voltage on an 1156 Incandescent bulb.

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

 

[Wrench97]

With a newer electronic flasher you do not need a hidden bulb or power resistor.
You can replace the 1st relay with a toggle switch to connect the battery to the x post on the flasher.

 

[ArcReactorKC]

With a newer electronic flasher you do not need a hidden bulb or power resistor.
You can replace the 1st relay with a toggle switch to connect the battery to the x post on the flasher.

Agreed it's just the cheapest quickest way I can think to do it. I almost always have all of those parts in the shop.

 

[ybnormal]

The EL13 was an experiment and I intended to either add a resistive load to the lights or additional resistors inside the flasher to slow it down. It turned out to be great out-of-the-box as-is.

There are modules like this: https://www.trafficlights.com/flashers/d2m-dc-alternating-flasher/

^ but the auto parts flasher was much simpler to deal with. You can also get pigtails for the flasher so it all goes together really easily.

was your costume a hit with all the mothers?

 

[dscheidt]

you didnt answer my questions. does you car have AC power feeding the lights?

Automotive style bulbs were used in all sorts of non-automotive applications where they were feed ~12vac. If you were working with relays and mechanical switches, there was no reason to have any DC voltage, but getting any voltage AC is simply add another tap to the transformer. All the classic automotive bulbs (1156/57, 1146, 52, ...) are rated to work on DC (either polarity) or AC. modern led replacements might not be, of course.