Lighthouse

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The lighthouse I picked up yesterday at a local home store. Not sure if I'm using it on the railroad,or by our koi pond. It does fit into g-scale, since it is 30" tall. I'll use it on the railroad, if I can find a way to fit it in.



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Huh? What? said:
The lighthouse I picked up yesterday at a local home store. Not sure if I'm using it on the railroad,or by our koi pond. It does fit into g-scale, since it is 30" tall. I'll use it on the railroad, if I can find a way to fit it in.



35246598253_f9b68d6f80_o.jpg
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Do both - extend your railroad to the pond!;)

At 30" it's a fair size - is it solar powered?
 
Yes, but I think it just lights up. no rotation.


And we plan to eventually run the track around the pond. That just requires going through the back wall of the garden shed, and out the front wall.
 
Huh? What? said:
And we plan to eventually run the track around the pond. That just requires going through the back wall of the garden shed, and out the front wall.
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So you will have that done by Sunday Tea time then,
JonD
 
"The railway runs through the middle of the shed.."

(You'll all be humming that one all-day now!)
:giggle::giggle::giggle:
 
Huh? What? said:
Yes, but I think it just lights up. no rotation.
QUOTE]
Does it at least flash?
It is possible to get hold of simple electronics modules to drive LEDS or bulbs using PWM to simulate rotation by ramping the light intensity up and down. Ok so you don't get to see a beam of light sweeping round but it's better than just on/off flashing.
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Remember that in the real world not all lighthouses are a hundred feet tall - the ones on the end of jetties are quite short - and not all rotate, they flash at fixed times to identfy themselves. So basically you can put it where and how you want and there will be a prototypical version somewhere.

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Lighthouse keepers?
 
Slightly off topic, regarding the above reference to Clockwork Orange, a cousin of my mother, Brian Blamey, was the Sound Editor on Clockwork Orange and apart from editing the soundtrack was responsible for all the sound effects.

David
 
For a flashing light maybe you could look at this.
http://www.trainelectronics.com/artcles/LIGHTHOUSE/index.htm
He appears to be using that same lighthouse.
He has a kit for about $50 or if you are adventurous you could try buy a programmed PICAXE chip from the author for about $6 and build the rest in stripboard using the circuit diagram and the parts list.
Author is Dave Bodnar and I have found him very approachable in the past.
This thread from a couple of years ago also mentions his circuits.
 
Ok. Finally determined that the light does rotate - REALLY FAST. I'm gonna have to throw a resistor/potentiometer into the circuit to slow it down.
 
I use this in my transformer powered lighthouse - its non-rotating but comes on dim, then brightens, then dims again before switching off to repeat the cycle. It gives the effect really well.

http://www.heathcote-electronics.co.uk/scenic.html#Lighthouse-Effect

At £14.50 Sterling it is good value and I just use a plug-in timer - it's been in use for several years now.
 
B&M stores have a lighthouse which lights up and rotates for under a tenner but don't expect it to last more than a couple of years.
 
pugwash said:
Remember that in the real world not all lighthouses are a hundred feet tall - the ones on the end of jetties are quite short - and not all rotate, they flash at fixed times to identfy themselves. So basically you can put it where and how you want and there will be a prototypical version somewhere.

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Mevagissey ????
 
Yup, and on our way to Cornwall we had to go through Devon, so

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When I was shopping in Aldi this Monday there was just one sad Lighthouse looking for a home with no price on it. Was very shocked to find that it was only £6.99 so even though it does not fit in with my theme I thought what the heck. The nightine effect is really quite good. All I have done is to take the working bit off and grease the screws as they are what is likely to rust on these. Then when the Battery goes pop in about 18 Months time I should be able to replace it OK. LED alleged to have 25000 hours life though I suspect the spinny thing will go before that or perhaps it may be a Flasshing Led, must take a closer look.
image.jpg
JonD
 
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