Variable candela strobe

A method of generating a variable intensity visible alarm indicating output comprising:

• establishing a selection indicium indicative of a selected output intensity;
• establishing first and second energy sources where one source exhibits a voltage which is a fraction of a second voltage exhibited by the other source;
• providing a triggering indicium;
• using both sources with the voltages in one of series or parallel to produce an initial discharge and then subsequent illumination in accordance with the selection indicium.

A strobe comprising:

• an optical output device;
• a selector element for selection of an optical output;
• a control circuit which includes charging circuitry, the control circuit is coupled to the selector element and the output device;
• first and second energy storage circuits, coupled to the control circuit, with one storage circuit exhibiting additional energy at a voltage not present at the other storage circuit, the control circuit coupling the energy storage circuits in one of a parallel and a series configuration to the optical output device to product the selected optical output.

A strobe alarm unit comprising:

• a housing;
• a gas filled output member carried by the housing;
• an output selector carried on the housing;
• first and second energy storage elements coupled at least during selected time intervals to the output member and an isolating element coupled between the elements with one element facilitating a discharge in the member, in response to a trigger event with the other element initially isolated therefrom and with the other element subsequently coupled thereto to facilitate a discharge in the member in accordance with the output selector.