Hi all, and Signalman in particular.
I am beginning to design an electronic version (for safety and ease of transport) of the original Civil War Coston Signal Lights that will, however, be started by firing a "top hat" musket cap. Has anybody else had any thoughts on such a device? Or actually made one?
I have some ideas, but finding small enough components may be difficult as I want the replicas to be the same size as the originals. I will also have to have a chip made up to control the LED lights for the correct timing of the flash and order of firing using LEDs.
The idea may never come to anything, but as I have virtually finished my .22 Gatling Gun I need a new project to keep the lone neuron ticking over.
Cheers,
Pete.
Coston Signal Lights
Re: Coston Signal Lights
Hello, that would be a fun item, including for reenactments, however, I am probably the least qualified person to ask. My wife doesn't even let me change a light bulb.
Personally, if I were you, I would contact a pyrotechnist. Someone who's specialty is fireworks compounds and ignition. After all, that is what Martha Coston did to help develop her husbands flares.
Also, you could have a fake flare with led light in it running off watch or hearing aid batteries. It would look great in a Civil War Flare Gun display.
If the cost is reasonable, I would be interested in several different colors.
Personally, if I were you, I would contact a pyrotechnist. Someone who's specialty is fireworks compounds and ignition. After all, that is what Martha Coston did to help develop her husbands flares.
Also, you could have a fake flare with led light in it running off watch or hearing aid batteries. It would look great in a Civil War Flare Gun display.
If the cost is reasonable, I would be interested in several different colors.
Guns have only two enemies, rust and politicians.
I am still looking for ANY information regarding the European Use of the Original Costons flares from 1859 through 1881. Photo's, Patents, contracts & orders, ANY INFORMATION IS NEEDED ! !
I am still looking for ANY information regarding the European Use of the Original Costons flares from 1859 through 1881. Photo's, Patents, contracts & orders, ANY INFORMATION IS NEEDED ! !
Re: Coston Signal Lights
Have sent you an e-mail re articles.
Batteries would be no problem, as you say, watch, camera, hearing aid types would be small enough, and LEDs don't use a whole lot of power. No idea on what they would cost yet, but not a huge amount, although the chip would be the major component unless I can work out another system. However the things would be re-useable AND SAFE. I contacted a local pyrotechnician, but he wasn't really that interested - not unless the numbers were sort of in the thousands!
I want some thing you can unclamp, remove, reset and use time and time again. A lot cheaper for re-enactments and displays than proper "burny" ones, AND easily and legally transportable!
I will e-mail you my first (and so far only) drawing for thoughts and comments. It will certainly need a fair bit of tweaking before I even think of trying to knock up a prototype. I have the right sort of microswitch, but need a much smaller version.
I think I have a chart of burning times somewhere, perhaps you could tell me what would be a good time for the individual colours to light up when single and in combination.
Pete.
Batteries would be no problem, as you say, watch, camera, hearing aid types would be small enough, and LEDs don't use a whole lot of power. No idea on what they would cost yet, but not a huge amount, although the chip would be the major component unless I can work out another system. However the things would be re-useable AND SAFE. I contacted a local pyrotechnician, but he wasn't really that interested - not unless the numbers were sort of in the thousands!
I want some thing you can unclamp, remove, reset and use time and time again. A lot cheaper for re-enactments and displays than proper "burny" ones, AND easily and legally transportable!
I will e-mail you my first (and so far only) drawing for thoughts and comments. It will certainly need a fair bit of tweaking before I even think of trying to knock up a prototype. I have the right sort of microswitch, but need a much smaller version.
I think I have a chart of burning times somewhere, perhaps you could tell me what would be a good time for the individual colours to light up when single and in combination.
Pete.