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When I first started, any animation I had was done with gear reduction motors and linkage.I still use this method on items such as Joseph,the donkey and some elves. Then along came chaser lights and I started using these in various ways to create differant effects. After that i used a simple recycling flasher,then the 555timer/4017chip. Finally I started using E-proms as I had the electronics man at work burn in the program. I can change patterns with dip switches. I like to use solid state relays. I have purchased them from various places including ALL ELECTRONICS www.allcorp.com where I get used relays at reasonable prices. They have always been good. However I make a lot of my relays which is very simple to do especially the 120v triggered relays. I have been working with the Basic Stamp last year and this year and find it very simple and versitle as you can have differant time delays at differant stages. We will have pictures at a later date along with a diagram of solid state relays. Interested in making a controller? All Electronics at www.allelectronics.com has a nice kit called a LED Chaser CAT # AEC. If you can solder at all you can make this kit. Just omit the LED's and connect directly to your Solid Satae relays. They also have a solid state relay kit CAT # RK-20 but the triac is only 4 amps and the thing cost $9.95 . However they have already made solid state relays for $10.00 each 25 amp. These are probably used but I have never had a problem with them. If you are good then go to Radio Shack and buy the triacs, optp couplers, the resistors and perf board and make your own.The controller mentioned above is a 10 channel controller but is is easy to make it what ever you need. Need more info just e-mail me from the Christmas page. UPDATE: I have modified this kit to get better results. The pot that comes with it I toss in a box. Then I add wires to the solder pads and solder in a 100K pot. Then I solder a 10K resistor to the legs of the pot that go to terminals 8 and 7 of the 555 timer.I also put in a 10uf cap in place of the one sent. These items are all available from all electronics very cheap along with the kit. If you want a chaser this is a very simple way to do it and not having to try to make a PC board. This can be modified more to make a circuit with less channels. Want a simple adjustable flasher? I order a kit from www://allelectronics.com or from any one who sells electronic kits. I think this may be a rainbow kit any way it is called an adjustable led flasher. The All Electronics CAT# MK-1021. This has two adjustable pots and two LED's. It is a very simple kit to solder up. You can solder in the LED's or leave them out I have done both. If you solder them in just piggy back the wires to the ssr from the leg of the LED. I just wire these to two ssr's. They send you a snap button to use a 9 volt battery. I throw it in a box full of them then I wire in a power jack that will be compatable with my transformer. A 7.5 volt d.c transformer will work fine. JUST BE SURE YOU check for your positive and neg connections on the ssr connections and the transformer connection. Some transformer have a center positive and some don't. I am using several of these flashers and they work good. NOTE: I use a transformer from all electronics and I order part # DCJ-1 which is a 2.1 mm power jack to solder in in place of the battery button. I leave the LED's on as then I can tell if it works. If your lights do not work when you hook them up to the solid state relays then you may try reversing the "+" and "-" wires at the relay
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