how to make flashing lights for 6' tall crossbuck

Years ago made a cheap 6 foot crossbuck signal for my daughter's Catholic grade school Halloween haunted forest fright night weekend evening fund raiser. Crossbuck post was  2" by 2" by  6' white pine, cross arms 1" by 3" by 30" white pine, flashing lights were 2 old Everready 6 volt lamp cases, reflectors and 2 painted red flashlight bulbs mounted to a 1" by  2" by 24 " white pine located below the crossarms, centered and mounted to mast. Used eye screws and cable ties to attach lamp cases to the 1" by 2" wood strip, used 12 volt DC automobile flasher relay to flash lights that was powered by a 120 volt ac to dc transformer with variable voltage for the relay and lamps. Had a good time being Frankenstein at the train wreck scene, great bunch of adults to work with at this fund raiser many laughs, tour guides would take groups of 12 to 15 people on walking paths in the woods through the haunted forest, I came out of the train wreck as they approached out scene, these flashing crossbucks were used for 4 years.

Use a pair of 4" diameter LED tail lights, mounted in 10" diameter discs. I used a pair of 10" baking pans, spray painted black. I had a metal shop punch the 4" holes in the middle of the pans.  Take a look at a real signal, and duplicate the various pipes and conduits with down-scaled PVC plumbing or electrical conduit.

They have black plastic plates and bowls at Party City that look like they'd work. I have some plastic boards left over from trimming around my windows to the bricks. That's as far as I got. I was looking at Harbor freight for their trailer lights or markers in LEDs. They have a set that flashes for hauling cars.

 I just wanted a quick crossbuck when the grandkids were small. I have a feeling they're too smart for that now. I'll need a real one.

You can use an 12 volt electronic automotive alternating wig - wag flasher for the lights. This will work with either bulbs or Led's.  Here is a link to one on the bay.

with maybe something like these?

tsAAOSw8aNXGkeu&vxp=mtr" target="_blank">http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Red-...8aNXGkeu&vxp=mtr

Great suggestions, everyone.  I need some more specifics.  How do I wire the contraption so that I can plug it into a normal outdoor extension cord? 

For outdoor use I would recommend the use of 6v or 12v power systems intended specifically for outdoor lighting.  The use of 120vac for any outside wiring is a shock hazard that is never used for outdoor landscaping. 

Note: The use of a transformer connected to an exterior outlet is hazardous if not used with a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupt). This is necessary since the earth is a potential electrical return path (ie., ground fault).

The best way is to use an outdoor rated "solar" powered battery system which totally removes any shock hazard.

Thanks.  It would be helpful if you could identify specific parts I could use in addition to the conceptual model.  I am open to different ways to make this work.  My goal is a simple Christmas yard decoration that I can plug into an extension cord along with other strings of LED Christmas lights.

thanks

For my real crossing signal outside I used a flasher circuit from this company. It is powered by a toy train transformer.

https://www.trafficlights.com/flashers/d2-controller/

Lionel also made a 4' high bank with flashing lights and sound. If you could find one cheap maybe you could use parts from that.

Lionel Crossing Bank

Or just get the real deal.

here is my heavy duty flash unit using car parts. The relay is to make the light flash alternated.

is simple and allow any load within tolerances. 

my two cents.

Andre

Great diagram, can you list the parts you used for us non t-heads?  Thanks

rboatertoo posted:

Andre

Great diagram, can you list the parts you used for us non t-heads?  Thanks

 

 

Jim, I will do. I am not at home now.

Andre.

rboatertoo posted:

Andre

Great diagram, can you list the parts you used for us non t-heads?  Thanks

 

 

Jim,

the unit on the left is a 3 legs flasher unit for LED

Where "B" is Battery "P" is ground and "L" load you can find it in auto parts or on line.

the other is a 5 pin car relay. Some car relay are 5 pin with two 87, what we need here is 5 pin with 87 -87a.

Andre.