Controlling LED lights in buildings
Posted
#256339
(In Topic #14013)
Inactive Member
Looking for some type of lighting control
HiI have a few banks of LEDs on my layout - street lights, houses, shops and so on.
They are powered by a 240/12 volt transformer with resistors to bring down the voltage and brightness. Each bank is controlled by an on-off switches on my control panel.
If possible, I would like to 'automate' the process with some sort of timer to create a day-night scenario. That is they would all come on at once, stay on for a predetermined time, then switch off for a while and so on.
I have tried a couple of lighting controllers from Micro miniatures and train tech but they are too random for what I have in mind.
So far my googling has been unsuccessful.
Has anyone come across something that does what I have in mind?
Cheers
Evan
Posted
Full Member
- potter into Jaycar (an Australian electronics store for those outside of Oz) and have a look at their project kits and talk to guys behind the counter. They are usually pretty helpful.
- MERG will have something but it’s a paid membership I believe.
Good hunting.
Posted
Full Member
Cheers Pete.
Posted
Full Member
Posted
Site staff
Members get access to a vast Database of knowledge and a forum area, all covering a wide range of topics from basic beginners stuff to more complex electronics with ongoing discussions about using Picax, Raspberry Pi, Arduino etc. You also get access to their kit locker kits ( all components needed for a project for you to build) and other components at VERY competitive prices. Not sure about postage out to Australia but there is an Australian group so I'm sure they must be able to get stuff.
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If you like dabbling in Electronics it's Well worth £16 or even £20 a year and if you find you arent getting anything out of it you can just not renew
HTH
Cheers
Matt
Wasnie me, a big boy did it and ran away
"Why did you volunteer ? I didn't Sir, the other three stepped backwards"
"Why did you volunteer ? I didn't Sir, the other three stepped backwards"
Posted
Inactive Member
I will have a stroll through the MERG site and see what they have to offer.
Something like the Arduino look interesting but I know the programming is beyond me.
Cheers
Evan
Posted
Inactive Member
It is called a 'cycle timer' and this one comes from Kyte's Lights. According to Joe Kyte it can be set to turn the lights on and off for up to 15 Minutes. Either as a one-off or on a repeat mode.
Having found what they are actually called, I then found stacks of them on ebay! I found Joe very helpful and prompt in answering my questions so I have ordered one from him.
Cheers
Evan
Posted
Site staff
Look forward to seeing it in action :thumbs
Cheers
Matt
Wasnie me, a big boy did it and ran away
"Why did you volunteer ? I didn't Sir, the other three stepped backwards"
"Why did you volunteer ? I didn't Sir, the other three stepped backwards"
Posted
Inactive Member
I confess my ignorance but I am not sure what permanently on or permanently off means.
Cheers
Evan
Posted
Full Member
Bill
Last edit: by Longchap
At 6'4'', Bill is a tall chap, then again, when horizontal he is rather long and people often used to trip over him! . . . and so a nickname was born :)
Posted
Site staff
Bill they tell me even broken clocks are right TWICE a year, SO even if its broken, its working FINE when the lights SHOULD be off !!! :cool winkPermanently off means broken!
Bill
Evan
Ok let me explain young one, if its on a random Timer, ( as in the wizardry of this unit) its on and orf randomly. If you pulls the plug out it's orf, permanently ( or at least until you plug it in !). BUT I asks myself " what if I wants me lights on All the time " :hmm or at least LONGER than 15 Minutes ??? I.E. on permanently :thumbs.
Cheers
Matt
Wasnie me, a big boy did it and ran away
"Why did you volunteer ? I didn't Sir, the other three stepped backwards"
"Why did you volunteer ? I didn't Sir, the other three stepped backwards"
Posted
Inactive Member
The lights will be off permanently. When I turn on the power at the wall they will still be off permanently. Then, when I turn on the power on the unit, the lights will be off temporarily and then they will be on temporarily. The lights could do this permanently. Which also means they were never off permanently in the first place.
I also found a similar item on ebay which allows the timer to be set for up to an hour. But I think that is still temporary.
:hmm
Cheers
Evan
Posted
Site staff
Is this a permanent solution ? Or temporary :hmm
Cheers
Matt
Wasnie me, a big boy did it and ran away
"Why did you volunteer ? I didn't Sir, the other three stepped backwards"
"Why did you volunteer ? I didn't Sir, the other three stepped backwards"
Posted
Full Member
'Petermac
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