Need help with making a Power Outage Lamp

17 years ago

I have frequent power outages (I live in a rural area outside a city) I have a CyberPower UPS but what I want to do is have a lamp come on if I lose power and then go off when power restores. I don't know alot about electronics but I think what I want to do is simple right? Here's what I think I need to do but again I have little electronics knowledge I have a extra 5VDC/12VDC transformer that will be plugged into the surge only (When the power goes out those outlets loose power) and then a relay comes in to switch on the lamp (9W CFL which will be powered from the Battery Outlets) when the the DC 5V or 12V goes dead the relay will switch on the lamp which will get power from the battery backup outlets. I just need help with what kind of relay to get and how to wire the high and low-Voltage parts

Thanks

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Comments (2)

regus_patoff
17 years ago
Wouldn't it be easier and safer to just by an emergency power failure light ?

some LED versions are about $20
Pooh Bear
17 years ago
You can buy these type of lights for around $20.

To build one, I would get a CDS cell to control a relay
so that if the room goes dark the light comes on.
You would also want a second control circuit to confirm that the
power is actually off and someone didn't just turn off the room lights.
I would also use a DC light to avoid inverters and such.

We have frequent power outages too.
I've been considering some of these lights for our home.

Pooh Bear
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