BraveSirRobbin
Moderator
I guess my first attempt would be to use a circuit like this that I built to detect an appliance light going on.
Instead of using a DS10a, I would have the transistor trip the trigger input on something like an Elk-960 one shot relay, and monitor its contact closures, since you are detecting a fast transient (that 960 can be adjusted to close for a few seconds or so when it's triggered).
Some mentionables:
The CdS photoresistor might not be sensitive enough to discern between the normal light background and the strobe. It 'shoud' be fast enough as I believe they can detect in the many 10's or 20's milliseconds light pulse.
Power could be a problem, but in theory, there should be little 'stand by' draw. Best to measure the stand by current after the circuit is finalized. Hopefully something like a small 12 volt or so battery would suffice.
Some may suggest using a photo-transistor in lieu of a CdS sensor. Problem is, they are more sensitive towards the red/IR and I think the strobe is probably more centered around the mid 400's or 500's nanometer wavelength (again not sure).
This is something that will require a bit of R&D with some trial and error testing.
Instead of using a DS10a, I would have the transistor trip the trigger input on something like an Elk-960 one shot relay, and monitor its contact closures, since you are detecting a fast transient (that 960 can be adjusted to close for a few seconds or so when it's triggered).
Some mentionables:
The CdS photoresistor might not be sensitive enough to discern between the normal light background and the strobe. It 'shoud' be fast enough as I believe they can detect in the many 10's or 20's milliseconds light pulse.
Power could be a problem, but in theory, there should be little 'stand by' draw. Best to measure the stand by current after the circuit is finalized. Hopefully something like a small 12 volt or so battery would suffice.
Some may suggest using a photo-transistor in lieu of a CdS sensor. Problem is, they are more sensitive towards the red/IR and I think the strobe is probably more centered around the mid 400's or 500's nanometer wavelength (again not sure).
This is something that will require a bit of R&D with some trial and error testing.