Need a mains-powered rotating beacon or strobe

Maelstrom

54 posts

Master Geek

Topic # 112507 11-Dec-2012 13:43
Hi all, I want to buy a rotating beacon, or a strobe, much like those you can find here: http://www.narva.co.nz/products/browse/rotating-beacons. I need it to plug into the NZ mains power, with an NZ plug. However, everything I look for seems to run on a cigarette lighter attachment and only use 12v. Can anyone advise me on either [a] where I could buy something like this all ready to go, or [b] give me some straightforward instructions on how to safely change the connection? Thank you!

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Uber Geek

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Reply # 730465 11-Dec-2012 14:09
Will depend on exactly which model you want as to how much current is drawn, thus determining what power supply you need. For example, if you click on 'more info' for the Optimax 85650A you can see that it draws 4.4A at 12V. From there you can choose an appropriate power supply, e.g. http://www.jaycar.co.nz/productView.asp?ID=MP3242 and then it will be as simple as joining two sets of wires together, noting the polarity.

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Reply # 730471 11-Dec-2012 14:16
Sounds like you aren't too big on electronics, so the easiest thing for you would be to get these http://www.jaycar.co.nz/productView.asp?ID=PT4527 or similar crimp joiners. Chop the cigarette plug off, chop the barrel plug of the power supply, strip back 5mm or so of wire on each of the two pairs of wire, and join them. Polarity shouldnt matter, but if it doesnt work at first then swap the wires over. Alternatively, if you let us know where you are then your local friendly geekzoner could do it for you in a jiffy

54 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 730481 11-Dec-2012 14:25
Thanks so much for the advice. Basically, I am a little bit paranoid on messing up with anything to do with (mains) power! That does sound actually like pretty straightforward advice. Is there anything I should wrap the joiners with after joining? e.g. Electrical tape? Thanks again!

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Reply # 730519 11-Dec-2012 15:17
You'll be fine, with the power supply that I linked to you, the mains power is kept inside the black box, and the lead that you will be chopping into is only 12 volts. You can probably get away without any electrical tape, as long as you make sure the copper is concealed inside the connectors, carefully ensuring that not a single thread is sticking out. But yes, electrical tape would be the one, my only concern would be that the positive and negative dont touch each other, more so than them touching you. I don't think that you would feel a shock if you touched it with your hands (with that sort of voltage & current) but best be safe and make sure that all the copper is concealed

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Reply # 730523 11-Dec-2012 15:22
An old computer PSU might have enough power to run that DC device, they have good fuse systems too. Costs like $1 on trademe or $5 from opshop. I think, once your line is passed the DC converter your pretty safe. Worst that could happen on DC is you hold the + and - wires together between thumb and 4finger, as the arcing wire will burn. If your worried about AC power, use a RCD

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 732942 15-Dec-2012 18:02
What you are asking for can be found here - http://www.sietecsecurity.co.nz/shop/Signalling/ATEX-Strobes-Beacons-Sounders Probably not cheap as this is professional kit. I have an account here if needed!

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Reply # 732972 15-Dec-2012 20:20
It takes about 120V-140V (or there about) to break through skin, which is one of the reasons why there is a 110V standard. Anything below I think 75V AC and 115V DC is considered safe, and to add a margin of safety it is considered that anything below 60V is certainly safe to touch. You will find many more 12V models and lots cheaper as there are no mains certification/approvals required. Personally I would use a 12V power supply. And if you do not want to cut/join wires, there are power supplies with a 12V car power sockets (or more correctly, 13.8V). Jaycar sells one and the staff can certainly help, they actually know electronics and are lots more useful than (most) DSE staff. You can never have enough Volvos!

598 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 732978 15-Dec-2012 21:09
not so much a rotating light, but a flashing beacon, Fulleon Beacon http://www.carrel-electrade.co.nz/alarms/fulleon-alm1.htm avaliable in different colours and you can buy a mains powered adaptor base