These beacons are commonly mounted on industrial equipment to indicate that a process has finished or a problem has occurred.
They are available in 12V, 24V, 36V, and 220VAC versions and a range of colours including red, yellow, green and blue. (The 220V version seems fine on 110V to 240V.)
I bought a 12V and 220V unit to compare them, and it turns out they use a common PCB.
I'd guess the 24V and 36V units probably use a resistor to limit the current to the 12V Zener.
The 220V version is the most versatile since it can be adapted to any voltage and also made into a static light by bridging the transistor that flashes the LEDs.
These units are very low power at less than one watt.
The keywords to find these are:-
"industrial warning beacon"
There are different types, and the typical price is around $6 plus shipping.
If you enjoy these videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and random gadgets for disassembly at:-
http://www.bigclive.com/coffee.htm
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13 thoughts on “Repairing an industrial beacon with schematic”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars GetCarterCarPark says:

    I'm an old-timer and still prefer the Xenon strobe beacons. A very bright and very short pulse of light that is highly visible, ideal for a beacon, but no doubt more expensive than LEDs and a microcontroller.

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Tiny Tony Maloney says:

    Is there a reason that the transistor switches after the load? The collector to emmiter current will be the same as the current through the load but I suspect the voltage will be lower after the load, my answer would be just that, lower voltage across the transistor giving the component more protection. Just a guess 🤔

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars aussieaeromodeler says:

    does it have a date of manufacture?…I bet it was made on a Monday or a Friday lol

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars RAF Fly says:

    That’s not a strobe! No HV or flash tube !

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Steven Moomey says:

    On Amazon, Seco-Larm SL-126Q/A Amber Security Strobe 6-12 vdc is Available. I have one that has been outside for over 25 years and still works. I replaced it recently, it was removed for new siding. The plastic was showing its age, so I bought new. For the new mounting, I purchased the Seco-Larm Strobe Conduit Box/Bracket, as it’s not a standard size. BTW the “A” at the end signifies the Lens color. The Lamp is Xenon.

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars RobR386 says:

    The moment you realise you plugged in the 12V version into the 230 mains 🤣🤣🤣

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars reace m says:

    You sir are brilliant. Could watch you all day. I love the reverse engineered schematic diagrams, alot of work has gone into these. Greatly appreciate your knowledge

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars WPPCProductions says:

    Hi Clive.The solder glob there as It looks like somebody just jump the transistor to make it to stay lit..They could of just put a switch there instead.

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Rene Schickbauer says:

    i bought two orange ones on Ebay, and they had the exact same soldering problem. My guess is someone at the factory forked up and had the wrong coordinate offset loaded for this part in the pick&place machine.

    This might only have affected one PCB in the large panel (so probably one of every 20-40 lights), and they decided it'd still make a profit. Or the PCB was done by a third party, and the PCB designer didn't supply a proper test rig (despite the PCB having proper test points).

    PCB manufacturers usually do EXACTLY as you tell them, meaning they keep to the design you submit, no matter if your design has major screwups. Don't ask me how i know…

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars icanhaz goodgame says:

    I think blue means maintenance required. It helps them find a machine quicker in a room of hundreds.

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ramog1000 says:

    I mean if you flux it before carrying over the solder is not problematic anyways ^^

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars lmw lmw says:

    This was the finest proof of the famous Chinese quality……….

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jim's videos says:

    They might as well include a GPS rx so every strobe in the building blinks in sync.

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