I know this is entirely unhelpful, but back when I was starting out as an electronics technician this was one of the first projects we had to do (actually we had to make a flip-flop and then interface it with 230V)

but thanks for the memory.

https://www.jaycar.co.nz/incandescent-lamp-flasher-fixed/p/AA0214

something like this will work

mdooher, thanks for the link. It was a real bargain - reduced from $29.00 to $1.51!

Only one problem - discontinued line and out of stock 😥

richms: How fast was that cycle?

geekIT:

 

mdooher, thanks for the link. It was a real bargain - reduced from $29.00 to $1.51!

 

Only one problem - discontinued line and out of stock 😥

 

richms: How fast was that cycle?

 

half to 2 seconds on/off, wasn't that predictable, and the starters only lasted a few months before locking off or on. It was a 60's decorative light that had 2 tiny pilot light style lamps in it, not sure if it would run much more than that.

Another option would be to get a wifi lightbulb that you can reflash with tasmota, and then use that to flash it when powered on. May have issues resetting to defaults if its powered up and down many times quickly in succession tho. The arlecs at bunnings are reportedly still easy to flash so long as you dont update them with the app to control them.

So why do you need a flashing bulb?

Actually you could just get one of the RGB wifi lights and set it to the flashing pattern you like and be done. So long as noone turns it off and on quickly 5 times it will just power up in the last mode flashing away.

richms: Actually you could just get one of the RGB wifi lights and set it to the flashing pattern you like and be done. So long as noone turns it off and on quickly 5 times it will just power up in the last mode flashing away.

That's a thought. Are the RGB bulbs 240v? Otherwise the rig would need a transformer. Starts to get complicated.

Squishy: A mate has an elderly relative living close by in a detached cottage. He's profoundly deaf so wouldn't hear distress calls, and his vision isn't 100% . He figured a flashing light in his house might be the easiest solution.

what about a 230V strobe.. or beacon... probably need to get it from Aliexpress as the commercial ones are stupid price

Mathew, thanks. What did you mean by '230V strobe.. or beacon'?

geekIT:

 

Mathew, thanks. What did you mean by '230V strobe.. or beacon'?

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=230+v+strobe&rlz=1C1CHBD_enNZ820NZ820&oq=230+v+strobe&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l4.3234j0j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

something like this

Could you adapt a flashing ringer? Dick Smith used to sell them to plug into 'phone line like an extension bell; I see some available on web.

geekIT:

A mate has an elderly relative living close by in a detached cottage. He's profoundly deaf so wouldn't hear distress calls, and his vision isn't 100% . He figured a flashing light in his house might be the easiest solution.