This exploits the glitch of gravel bouncing when placed on a boat. I did not discover this glitch (I can't find the original post), but have added some things to make it reliable and convenient to use. Bouncing gravel usually disappears or falls after quitting and returning to a save, but it is possible to create a switch operated gravel dispenser, that only dispenses one block at a time, if water is used to keep the boat at a certain height. Since light passes though falling gravel, placing a bright light source behind a bouncing gravel block produces a strobing effect that is much brighter and faster than a redstone repeater. It is relatively easy to maintain, just flip a switch to release or activate a gravel block.
Step 1
Use a half step or other item to prevent gravel from accumulating.
Step 2
The two water sources must be this distance from the boat, or only one block closer. If they are farther it may work for a short time, but the gravel in the dispenser will eventually fall though the boat.
Cover the light source so light can only escape though the hole where the gravel will be.
Step 3
It is important that the boat is in the position shown in the image. Place a gravel or sand block above the boat. It should bounce up and down quickly(about 4 times a second). It should be possible to stack gravel blocks on top of the moving block without them falling. If for some reason this does not work after several tries, move the two water sources one block closer to the boat.
Step 4
Finished. After quitting and returning to a save, the gravel block will stop moving or fall though the boat and break on the half step. Flip the bottom switch to activate a still gravel block, or the top switch to dispense another. The light should strobe indefinitely until quitting the save or moving out of range.
So far, I think this is reliable. I have had several strobe lights running for a few hours, and the dispenser only uses one block each time the save is entered. The effect is very intense in a dark tunnel.
I can't make a video, but here's a gif. The speed should be accurate, except on internet explorer, which seems to slow down gifs.
edit: placed gif on first post instead.
An improved version that starts automatically almost every time. Simply replace the half step in the first image with a wooden (not stone) pressure plate, and wire the device to itself. Upon exiting and entering the save, one gravel block will fall and activate the pressure plate, causing the gravel to bounce.
I just finished making a prototype strobe using only a torch and it look awesome :biggrin.gif: I copied your exact diagram but I don't understand the point in the two side channels. I can't see them serving any purpose but a waste of space. Great find by the way :smile.gif:
edit:
I can't figure out how to get that dispenser working and it's quite vital to it working. Please can someone explain the dispenser better/more.
The purpose of the water is to raise the boat slightly, so that gravel can be stacked on top of the gravel that is on the boat. A more compact setup like this should also work.
Each time the level is opened, the gravel block on the boat will usually fall, but the stack of gravel will remain floating, so another block can be dispensed by flipping a switch. Apologies for not responding sooner, I must have missed this thread the first time.
I always love it when I learn something new about Minecraft, and then see it taken advantage of in a bizarre but useful way. I had no idea gravel behaved like that with boats.
Now i can build my night club for zombies WOOT WOOT OUCH! ****ing zombie took a piece of meat of me!
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...that would be a waste of time!
Says the guy making random **** out of square shapes in a computer program designed to waste time while asking for things to do in said program on a related forum board.
This exploits the glitch of gravel bouncing when placed on a boat. I did not discover this glitch (I can't find the original post), but have added some things to make it reliable and convenient to use. Bouncing gravel usually disappears or falls after quitting and returning to a save, but it is possible to create a switch operated gravel dispenser, that only dispenses one block at a time, if water is used to keep the boat at a certain height. Since light passes though falling gravel, placing a bright light source behind a bouncing gravel block produces a strobing effect that is much brighter and faster than a redstone repeater. It is relatively easy to maintain, just flip a switch to release or activate a gravel block.
Step 1
Use a half step or other item to prevent gravel from accumulating.
Step 2
The two water sources must be this distance from the boat, or only one block closer. If they are farther it may work for a short time, but the gravel in the dispenser will eventually fall though the boat.
Cover the light source so light can only escape though the hole where the gravel will be.
Step 3
It is important that the boat is in the position shown in the image. Place a gravel or sand block above the boat. It should bounce up and down quickly(about 4 times a second). It should be possible to stack gravel blocks on top of the moving block without them falling. If for some reason this does not work after several tries, move the two water sources one block closer to the boat.
Step 4
Finished. After quitting and returning to a save, the gravel block will stop moving or fall though the boat and break on the half step. Flip the bottom switch to activate a still gravel block, or the top switch to dispense another. The light should strobe indefinitely until quitting the save or moving out of range.
So far, I think this is reliable. I have had several strobe lights running for a few hours, and the dispenser only uses one block each time the save is entered. The effect is very intense in a dark tunnel.
edit: placed gif on first post instead.
edit:
I can't figure out how to get that dispenser working and it's quite vital to it working. Please can someone explain the dispenser better/more.
Each time the level is opened, the gravel block on the boat will usually fall, but the stack of gravel will remain floating, so another block can be dispensed by flipping a switch. Apologies for not responding sooner, I must have missed this thread the first time.
This does indeed work as advertised and gives me quite a few ideas to implement into my own world.
Thanks, OP for posting this! Have a !
Good post!
What do you mean it doesn't work? - Flint Generator
Once upon a time in Minecraft... - The Three Little Pigs
Ready! Set! Go! - Speedboat Racecourse
Look out below! - Death From Above