How to control an on/off light by a timer

[merb]

Hi guys, I just purchased the Eliminator Lighting Mushroom light, and already had a American DJ Micro Galaxian. These two lights are both sound activated but have no DMX control. I am looking for a way to set a cycle of 5 minutes on 2 minutes off for my mushroom light. I realize there are simple AC timers, but the only ones i could find simply cut power after a certain amount of time. I don't need anything too too fancy, I'm just trying to prevent my light from being on the whole time.

Does anyone know of a timer like this one? I'm hoping to find one for under 50 bucks.

[Pegasus]

It sounds like you should look into either X10 or ActiveHome outlet automation devices which can be operated with a remote control or a programmable module. Take a look at this kit for manual control: http://www.x10.com/home_automation/remo ... ?TWENTY11#
and this timer for automatic control: http://www.x10.com/promotions/mt13a_single_si.html#

Since these send signals on the power lines, the modules can't be too far apart and the lines can't have too much EFI/RFI from other things.

[merb]

Both of those appear to only be able to turn power on and off based on the time of day. I would like a device that you can simply set the "time off" and "time on"

[Pegasus]

You could get the X10 Firecracker which is a serial device for your PC, then use the Linux utility program from a script that does the timed events.

[merb]

Perfect that looks to be exactly what I want. I intend to use the "heyu" utility in a script that will enable the device, wait 120 seconds, disable the device, wait 60 seconds, and restart the loop infinitely until I close it manually.

Thanks, Pegasus.

[merb]

I do have a quick question, however. If my light has a "duty cycle" of ten minutes on / ten minutes off, is safe to assume that I can pretty much run it at any cycle proportionate to that? Say 1min on / 1min off?

[Pegasus]

You'd have to check with the manufacturer. My guess is that it means it must be switched on or off for a minimum of 10 minutes before switching it again. (But it could also mean that it can only be on for 10 minutes maximum with a 10 minute break but that doesn't sound likely unless it's subject to overheating.) Incandescent bulbs blow out quickly when they're switched on and off too rapidly.

[merb]

They're actually halogen bulbs. Do you happen to know anything about them? I'm going to do some research.

[Pegasus]

Then I'm sure it's a minimum of 10 minutes on, 10 off. Halogens hate being cycled and blow out very quickly if they are. (That's why most scanning/moving fixtures that use them have a shutter.)