Updated Lighthouse Circuit and Software
d. bodnar  revised 10-24-2015 - 3-11-2017

 

This video shows the lighthouse circuit over an hour or so as the sun sets - the video has been shortened to about 1 minute.

The lighthouse circuit and software have been updated to utilize very bright, very low power LED lamp modules.

These devices contain 24 individual LEDs arranged in an array that sends light out in every direction.  They are very bright while only drawing a small fraction of the power that halogen bulbs consume. 

In order to make these modules work in a realistic way the software has been rewritten and a faster microcontroller has been used.

Features include:

  • A very bright 24 LED module

  • Because of the updated software algorithm the LEDs give a very "lighthouse like" light that had been possible only with incandescent bulbs

  • Adjustable pause between flashes (one second to one minute)

  • An optional CDs (light sensor) sensor can be added to turn the light on at dark and off at sunrise

  • An optional mode can be activated that will only leave the lighthouse operating for six hours once darkness turns it on

  • A second optional mode can be selected that keeps the bulb dimly lighted in between flashes

  • The LED modules can be ordered in bright white and warm white

  • Custom modifications to the software can be ordered.  These include longer pause durations than one minute, multiple flashes before the pause (i.e. 3 flashes close together then a 30 second pause), etc.

The difference in color between the bright white LED module and the warm white module is shown in this video.  The warm white is on the left and the bright white is on the right.

 

 
The behavior of the lighthouse beacon can be changed in a number of ways.  In its simplest configuration the light flashes at a rate determined by the rate pot as soon as power is applied and continues to flash until power is removed.  The CDs light sensor can be used to turn the lighthouse beacon's LED module on only after dark.  When the sun comes up the module remains off.  A jumper can be installed to have the unit automatically turn off approximately six hours after sunset.  The lighthouse comes back on for six hours after the sun goes down.

Rate Pot: 

 

Turn clockwise to increase the time between flashes (maximum about 1 minute)
Turn counter clockwise to decrease the time between flashes (minimum of about 1 second)

Auto Off Jumper: if on the lighthouse shuts off after 6 hours of darkness - remove to disable auto-shutoff

Leave the jumper pins open (as shown above) to disable the 6 hour time off after sundown.

Place a jumper on the pins to enable the 6 hour time off (note: CDs must be installed - see next section)

Note:  the time that the unit remains on can vary from 6 to nearly 8 hours depending on how often the lighthouse beam flashes.  More flashes = longer on time.,  less frequent flashes = shorter on time.

Dim Jumper: if removed the lighthouse lights dimly between flashes - if placed on the pins the bulb goes dark between flashes.

The dim jumper keeps the bulb lighted dimly between flashes if not jumpered and completely off in between flashes if the two pins are jumpered. 

CDs Sensor:

Install the CDs light sensor to activate "on when dark, off when light."  When shipped the CDs sensor will be installed at the end of a wire extension allowing it to be mounted outside of the lighthouse.


Remove the sensor (it just pulls out)  to disable on / off based on ambient light.  When reinstalling it can be inserted either way.

Bulb Installation:
The LED module (or a halogen bulb) is connected to the two pins shown here:

These lights can be installed either way but standard LEDs must have the anode connected to the "+" terminal and the cathode to the other terminal.  With standard LEDs you will need a current limiting resistor.  That can be installed in the two holes labeled "rLED".  You will also have to cut the trace between these two holes on the back of the board.

 

 

An Laser Cut acrylic box is also available

 

Construction from a kit of parts

Parts

Install the first set of components as shown here.  Note that the 7805 voltage regulator and capacitor both need to be inserted in the proper orientation.  The notch on the 8 pin socket should be pointing towards ICSP label as shown.  The red wire from the power cable goes to the hole labeled with a plus (+) sign.

Here is another view of the board and its first set of components.

Connect the power leads to a 12 volt DC power source and check the voltage at pins 1 and 8 on the IC socket (circled in yellow).  It should measure 5 volts plus or minus 0.1 volt.

Here is a view of the back of the board.  You will notice that a good number of holes are not used.

Add the remaining components.  The power transistor (IRL 520) must be  in the set of holes closest to the IC socket and must be oriented as shown.

The light sensor plugs into one end of a twisted red/black wire that is soldered to the CdS labeled holes.  Make sure the leads do not touch.  You may want to trim the leads to a 0.5 inch length to keep them apart.

The 24 LED module plugs into the other twisted red/black wire.  The pins on the LED module need to be bent in a bit to fit the socket.  It can be inserted into the socket either way.

The 12F683 processor must be installed with the notch (sometimes a small dot) pointing towards the ICSP label.