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Ask an Expert Forum Strobing Using RGB LEDs Instead Of Flash Tubes
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Strobing Using RGB LEDs Instead Of Flash Tubes

publicimage
publicimage over 2 years ago

I would like to create a something like a strobe but with very bright RGB LEDs.

Can anyone suggest a product?

Can I use a MOSFET to power something like this? 

Which Arduino Would work best?

Please help!

--Vince

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  • robogary
    robogary over 2 years ago +1
    The Junk-Pile Strobe Tachometer.....and it really works! See the blog for some ideas. It's not so much the arduino, or the mosfet, but your LEDs are a critical component. A strobe has alot of power for…
  • robogary
    robogary over 2 years ago in reply to publicimage +1
    So more like flashing lights than a strobe...
  • ggabe
    ggabe over 2 years ago in reply to robogary +1
    Both Amazon and AliExpress has LED strobe party lights. Hard to beat Ali’s price, unless you already have the components on hand. You can always reverse engineer and replace the controller with an Arduino…
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  • shabaz
    shabaz over 2 years ago

    Hi,

    It would be good to mention the actual use-case (e.g. photography? nightclub?). Otherwise, you may end up with a solution that doesn't meet your needs.

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  • publicimage
    publicimage over 2 years ago in reply to shabaz

    Its application is for something like a night club.

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  • robogary
    robogary over 2 years ago in reply to publicimage

    So more like flashing lights than a strobe...

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  • publicimage
    publicimage over 2 years ago in reply to robogary

    I want it to flash as if it was a xenon tube. Just like a camera, but very quickly(about 60 times a second). I see many of these things on Amazon, but I want to flash just like a party strobe but with shifting colors.

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  • ggabe
    ggabe over 2 years ago in reply to robogary

    Both Amazon and AliExpress has LED strobe party lights. Hard to beat Ali’s price, unless you already have the components on hand. You can always reverse engineer and replace the controller with an Arduino Pro mini - that’s what I would do if I want custom party effects.


    a.aliexpress.com/_mP2LEKc

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  • publicimage
    publicimage over 2 years ago in reply to ggabe

    Thank you for the suggestion. Is there a safe way to deal with these types of products when reverse engineering?

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  • shabaz
    shabaz over 2 years ago in reply to publicimage

    As well as the ideas mentioned by everyone, it could also be worth experimenting with just white LEDs, since they will be simpler to drive (just a single output), easier to obtain with high output, and then for deep bright colors, look for a dichroic style filter (they are available on AliExprress too). If rotated with a servo, you'll get stunning bright colors, at your strobe speed of course, that can be altered in color as the servo changes. It might be no bad thing to implement this partially mechanically/optically, rather than RGB LEDs.

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  • ggabe
    ggabe over 2 years ago in reply to publicimage

    Reverse engineering can be done by redrawing the schematics without powering it up, so at that point  it’s safe.  Depending on your skills, it might not work again or be safe again….  

    Another way is to use the leds, the enclosure and the driver (presumably mosfet) and rebuild the rest of the controls, and using a safe external power brick. 

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  • robogary
    robogary over 2 years ago in reply to publicimage

    A simple 555 timer can generate a square wave signal to trigger a MOSFET or transistor easily at 60 times a second, 16 milliseconds, which is the same frequency as the AC outlet.  

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  • robogary
    robogary over 2 years ago in reply to ggabe

    Geez, you cant even buy the LEDs for 6 bucks, let alone thrown in an enclosure and pots with knobs.  For sure if the LEDs are change color based on loudest sound frequency and flash according to the bass beat - add a electret mike and a couple filters or equalizer IC MSGEQ7 , battery or power supply , cost adds up. 

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  • robogary
    robogary over 2 years ago in reply to ggabe

    Geez, you cant even buy the LEDs for 6 bucks, let alone thrown in an enclosure and pots with knobs.  For sure if the LEDs are change color based on loudest sound frequency and flash according to the bass beat - add a electret mike and a couple filters or equalizer IC MSGEQ7 , battery or power supply , cost adds up. 

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