Strobe wall or how to recycle your single-use camera

this instructable shows you how to easily re-use and turn disposable cameras into a flashing wall.

In fact, when you throw away a single-use camera, if there is a flash unit you also throw it.
That's regrettable because this part is still in order of use and is rarely recycled.

There is the flash unit in itself and a battery, and this battery is full in most cases as we don't use the flash for each photo taken.

So let's do something nice and (re-)useful.

Step 1 Gather material

you'll need:

-1- old single-use cameras, the more is the best.
you can have this for free in most Photographer's Shop, you just have to ask them. That's what I do: Monday "hello can you keep those cameras for me" and a week later I have a full box of them.

-2- wire.

-3- relays.

-4- capacitors.

-5- a power supply for your relays

-6- your usual tools.

and that's almost all.

Comments

[lemonie]

The Instructable isn't very clear - I don't really know what's driving the flashes and how. But the result is great. Can you edit this to explain in more detail how you're triggering the flashes? L

[jovolomo]

I have made some improvements in my instructable. is this more comprehensible? I hope so. tell me if you have some ideas or questions.

[lemonie]

It makes more sense to me now. Is the mulitivibrator a kit or something that can be bought complete? L

[jovolomo]

the multivibrator is just a relay + a capacitor (1000µF) wired as shown on the second picture of step 4. but any thing that can produce a ~1Hz impulsion can be used. ( i think about blinking flashlights )

[vkranendonk]

I went to the electronic shop and they asked me how much alternating current would be applied on the relay? 

[jovolomo]

For the multi vibrator it depends on your power supply.

For the contacts between wires A and B to trigger the flash, the current is very low; it essentially commutes a tension more than a current.

[mr monoply33]

where do you get all of the used cameras?

[jovolomo]

hello, I get these in photographer's shops. In fact when people give them single use cameras to be developed, they keep the film and throw the camera. these can be recycled.

[rimar2000]

Very interesting. I am thinking something similar for see the work when I am welding, before start the arc.