pulsating switch

[Crunkrich]

I need some sort of switch or relay that turns the 12v on, off, on, off every second or so. Kinda like a pulsating switch but I didnt have much luck trying to figure it all out. Anyone know what kind of switch or relay I could use in order to make that work?

[qsiguy]

There are a number of ways to accomplish this. If you have a decent load on the circuit the most simple is to wire a common turn signal flasher in series with the circuit. Even if the load isn't very high you can install a capacitor in parallel with your load so the flasher sees a bigger load. It will flash at about the same rate as your turn signals. The higher the load the faster the flasher will flash.

A more complicated way to accomplish it would be to build a basic timer circuit using a 555 timer IC. If you google 555 timer you should be a bunch of hits and sample circuits. You will need some electronics skills to build it. It takes a 555 timer IC, a few resistors, capacitors, diodes, and a relay.

[Crunkrich]

Thanks man, I'll be giving that 555 timer IC a shot this week. I'll keep this thread updated with how things go.