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How can I make a flashing LED?

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  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: Winnipeg Canada
  • 1,637 posts
How can I make a flashing LED?
Posted by Blind Bruce on Thursday, March 10, 2011 10:57 AM

I am wiring up my programming track with a LED to indicate when the toggle is in the programming position. I would like this LED to blink on and off when energized. Do they make one that will do this or do I need to wire up a circuit ?

73

Bruce in the Peg

  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: Phoenix, AZ
  • 693 posts
Posted by woodone on Thursday, March 10, 2011 11:35 AM

There are flashing LED's made.

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • From: O'Fallon, MO
  • 292 posts
Posted by Lateral-G on Thursday, March 10, 2011 12:19 PM

Evan designs makes them:

http://www.modeltrainsoftware.com/bl-213-f.html

 

 

  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: Ontario Canada
  • 3,574 posts
Posted by Mark R. on Thursday, March 10, 2011 7:22 PM

I did something like that. My programming track is a three foot long section of the main-line along the edge of the layout above my panel. I installed a line-side electrical shed (the larger 1" X 2" variety) and installed a DPDT push switch in the end of it to change the section from main to program. On the back of the shed, I installed a flashing red LED to show that the track was set for programming.

Mark. 

¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Thursday, March 10, 2011 7:37 PM

There are red, green, yellow and white LEDs with flashing circuits built-in, both 3mm and 5mm.  All Electornics in Van Nuys, California sells them in bulk or you might be able to find them at a well stocked electronics store if you have any in your vicinity.

http://www.allelectronics.com

Catalog numbers LED-4, 4G, 4Y 4W 72Y AND 72W.

  • Member since
    February 2007
  • From: East central Missouri
  • 1,065 posts
Posted by Santa Fe all the way! on Sunday, March 13, 2011 5:02 AM

I used to go thru model train sources for blinking LED's, paid about $2 ea. , then I wised up and went online and searched. I found several wholesale electronics stores that sell them in the .30 to .60 ea. range. It pays to shop around.

Come on CMW, make a '41-'46 Chevy school bus!
  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: Stockton, CA.
  • 333 posts
Posted by Truck on Sunday, March 13, 2011 7:27 PM

I got 100 3mm red flashing leds on EBAY. BUY IT NOW price was $4.99.  And shipping was only a couple of dollars. Also got 100  green/red 5mm bicolor ones for around the same price. I beleive the seller was Remix,LLc. www.remix.com  I just checked out their web site, still got good deals.

                                                                             Truck.   

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