Flashing Neon

[nwaste]

Can i make a regular neon lamp (36W/120cm) to flash. Frequency is not matter but more speedy is more better. Please!!!

 

[Alun]

What do you mean "more speedy is more better"?
You're powering the neon off the mains right, so that means it will flash at either 100Hz or 120Hz without any special circuit, if it's running of an electronic switching ballest the it'll flash at >50kHz. Seriously  what frequency do you want? fast is good if you're using if for communication flash rates in excess of 10MHz might be possible, but if you want something pretty then there's no point if it's flashing so fast you can't see it. ;D

 

[nwaste]

you right frequency of about 10Hz will be fine. When i sad more speedy i thought on a frequency that the eye can recive (below 50Hz but 10Hz sounds good to me). I'll appriciate if you can send me a circuit.

 

[Alun]

flash rate = 1.44/(RC)

Note, it must be a 7555 or TS555, the old 555 uses too much current.

 

[nwaste]

Thank a lot.

 

[ante1]

Hi Alun,

The old 555 will not blow the mains fuse because of its higher current consumption! ;D