Introduction: Stroboscope On/Off Controlling With Arduino Using Relay Module

About: I'm keen on computer science and electronic music.

Stroboscope On/Off switching with Auduino board using relay module.

Step 1: Problem

There is a lot of music light systems like a lasers, projectors and stroboscopes. Almost of them has an ability to control lights by incoming music, by specific controllers etc. Cheapest ones didn't have a possibility to control it.

Lets look on the one of the low cost stroboscope with pretty good and cool light, but without any possibility to remote or automatic on/off switching: NIGHTSUN SE005N 150W Strobe
(http://www.nightsun.net/cpzxZR/info_19.aspx?itemid...).

It has only manually adjustable flash speed that is good. But this is a little bit hard to control it on distance.
As a solution to controlling the On/Off switching on distance or by external button or even from computer, was used an Arduino board with Relay, to enabling or disabling the input power.

Actually, the proper solution of this problem will be a direct controlling the light flashes. But this is a bit complex solution, and probably it's will be better to buy a another model instead of modifying this one.

Step 2: Materials and Tools

Hardware:

  1. Arduino or related boards.
  2. Relay switch module (used 2 relays switch)

Software:

  1. Arduino IDE.

Step 3: Proof of Concept

Steps:Check the way to control the Relay module by Arduino board:

  1. Connect the Relay to Arduino:
    1. Connect the "VCC" (or "Power") pin of Relay into Arduino "5V" output.
    2. Connect the "GND" (or "Ground") pin of Relay into Arduino "GND" pin.
    3. Connect the "IN1" pin of Relay (related to On/Off) into one of the Arduino digital pin. In current case used the pin number "2".
    4. Connect the "IN2" pin of Relay (related to frequency regulator) into one of the Arduino digital pin. In current case used the pin number "2".

  2. Use "digitalWrite(relay_pin, 1);" to switch the Relay.

Code:

#define RELAY1 2
#define RELAY2 3

void setup() { Serial.begin(9600); pinMode(RELAY1, OUTPUT); pinMode(RELAY2, OUTPUT); }

void loop() { digitalWrite(RELAY1,0); digitalWrite(RELAY2,0); Serial.println("Stroboscope is OFF"); delay(4000);

digitalWrite(RELAY1,1); digitalWrite(RELAY2,0); Serial.println("Stroboscope is ON, user defined flash rate."); delay(4000); digitalWrite(RELAY1, 1); digitalWrite(RELAY2, 1); Serial.println("Stroboscope is ON, boosted flash rate."); delay(4000); }

    Note:Regarding to "VCC" and "GND" connection's: In some of Relay modules is available Jumper short and "SGND" pin-out, to provide an ability to use the power of connected AC/DC inputs. In this case needs to connect the "SGND" Relay pin instead of "GND" and only "IN" pin. But, this is work only in case when circuit wires connected throw relay.

    Step 4: Arduino Control Relay Module

    Step 5: Conclusions

    Now, there is external interface for controlling, and can be controlled by Arduino or similar devices.