Clever idea needed (electrical stuff)

[User]

 

[Beebo]

@Night Train is the man to advise.

he hasnt visited CC since November.

 

[Andy_R]

You can get a DC step down converter for less than a fiver on eBay

 

[Custom24]

Are these ceiling LED spotlights? How were you planning to plug anything "into the circuit"?

 

[MontyVeda]

you should be able to get hold of a universal mains adapter for bugger all

Check it goes down to 1.5v like the one pictured.

not saying it'll suit your needs though

 

[Custom24]

Are these ceiling LED spotlights? How were you planning to plug anything "into the circuit"?

I misunderstood slightly and thought you were trying to justify LED lights you already have installed. More likely you are using ceiling halogen spots and are considering replacing them with LED spots (which is what I did).
Still, though, I'm not sure how you were planning to plug a clock or whatever "into the circuit".
Anyway, an alternative thought... Do you have a helmet cam or anything like that? My CamBall camera (which I have misplaced, but anyway...) has a security monitoring mode where it either takes a pic every 30 seconds, or is motion activated to record for 30 seconds, or something like that. You could review the footage after a week or so and work out your answer that way. Safer, maybe?

 

[TeeQue]

I don't suppose you can work out the current draw of the clock? If you could you could use a resistor to reduce the 5v to 1.5v.

Alternatively (and I'm not sure I'm thinking correctly here!) could you wire three 1.5v clocks into a 5v supply so they use 5/3 (1.67)V each?

 

[classic33]

you should be able to get hold of a universal mains adapter for bugger all

Check it goes down to 1.5v like the one pictured.

not saying it'll suit your needs though

£1 at Poundland

 

[mr messy]

How about taping a sign and stopwatch to light switch?

 

[fossyant]

Crackle zzzzzzzzzzz Bang

Be careful.

 

[classic33]

Hopefully the number of times the lights are switched On & Off will be taken into account.

Can the camera on the phone not be used to record the activity?

 

[classic33]

Crackle zzzzzzzzzzz Bang

Be careful.

Always the encouraging word!

 

[Markymark]

Lights have been bought. Time to move on.....

 

[slowmotion]

@User9609, I think you need a mains powered electromechanical hour meter. Like this...

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/hour-meters/3096098/

You can borrow mine.

 

[Smurfy]

A 24 hour or seven day electric socket timer runs off mains, and there are still plenty of mechanical ones available.

I have a few from Ikea of all places!
http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/60134450/