On Thu, 22 Apr 2004 01:14:13 +0000, Ernest Christley wrote:

anonymous coward wrote:
Something I've been pondering...

4 Luxeon star 1W emmitters in parallel will draw 1A or so. Your 555 based
timer circuit will draw large(ish) currents for short periods of time,
because of the small mark:space ratio. Might this interfere with other
systems powered by the battery?

The switching regulators for standard Xenon flash tubes draw a lower
but much more constant current (though goodness knows they can generate
radio noise if they're not shielded right).

AC


So? Stick a large capacitor and a low-value, one watt resister in series
with the circuit. Still cost less that $5(US) at the RatShack.

No reason why not, but that would have to be one whopping capacitor.

e.g. 4V voltage drop over 1/5 second @ 1A = 50,000 microFarads (OK the
battery will still be contributing some juice).

The aircraft on your website is truly neat.

AC