From: Fred Greenspan <greenspan-AT-earthlink.net> To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:01:28 -0500 Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Foot pedal flash? Thanks for the in depth reply Joe. In between messages I determined that I have parts on hand to assemble a triggering cable with momentary button switch on one end and appropriate mini plug on the other. This would allow me to experiment with several of the flash units I have on hand. You might be right regarding the effects not matching what I get from the flashpots, but it's worth trying. I'm going to look at the LED link you included out of curiosity, although I probably need to stick to battery powered possibilities due to the nature of most of my venues. Thanks! Fred On Jan 21, 2010, at 8:43 PM, Joe Dunfee wrote: > Are you certain that a single flash from a camera flash will be good > enough? While flash cotton is very fast for a flame, it is certainly > longer lasting than a camera flash. Flash cotton also makes a rising > flame, so that it is visible above the base you inserted it into. A > strobe won't do that. > > It might be good to manually trigger a camera flash on stage to test > it out before you build anything. Also, at least some of the flash > circuits I have seen will continuously draw power from the battery, > regardless of whether the capacitor is charged or not. > > You might consider purchasing an extremely bright LED, and simply > wire it to the foot switch. Then, by tapping your foot on the > switch, you can trigger it. This also gives you more control over > the pulse duration and allows multiple flashes in rapid succession, > such as for lighting. The small size of the LED's make it easy to > hide in set pieces. Also, there is now a class of "High Flux" LED's > used in household lighting. The individual LED is mounted on a 1" dia > circuit board as a heat sink, and uses a separate reflector. One > source for these extremely bright LED's is, www.superbrightleds.com > their part No > <http://www.superbrightleds.com/pdfs/XLamp7090XR-E.pdf>XRE7090WHTP3 > is one possibility. > > Alternatively, you might use a small strobe light and set it to > strobe very quickly. Then use a momentary switch rated for 120v to > activate it. However, test out the strobe you are considering first, > because some strobes take a moment before they actually start > flashing. > > As for a foot switch, if you are using a keyboard pedal, it may not > be rated for the voltages and current you are going to need > regardless of the method. I am uncertain what the initiator circuit > for a camera flash will see in terms of voltage. My electronics > training is over 20 years old, but I seem to recall that they do > actually see some high voltages. > > If you visit mcmaster.com, and do a search for "foot switch" a page > will come up with many choices. But, for puppeteers, a good > momentary foot switch that handles 120v is their item 7717K13 for > $20. It comes with a wall plug at the end of the cord. You simply > plug the item to be switched into that same plug. They also have > on/off toggle switches that puppeteers may find useful for other > things. > > > Joe Dunfee joe-AT-dunfee.com > Gordonville, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. > > _______________________________________________ > List address: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org > Admin interface: http://lists.puptcrit.org/mailman/listinfo/puptcrit > Archives: http://www.driftline.org _______________________________________________ List address: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org Admin interface: http://lists.puptcrit.org/mailman/listinfo/puptcrit Archives: http://www.driftline.org
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