This is the scematic for a strobe light I found at the scrap yard. It's powered directly from the 120V line. I don't have any more information on it. I suppose it might've been for a security system or a fire alarm or some kind.
WARNING: This circuit generates voltages and currents which will hurt you very badly and possibly KILL if you are not careful. If you don't know much about working with line (and higher) voltages or if you aren't crazy (like me) then DO NOT attempt to construct this circuit. I CANNOT BE RESPONSIBLE if you electrocute yourself to death! That said, let's have some fun!
120 volts from the AC line is fused and then passes through a half wave voltage doubler consisting of 2 redtifier diodes and a capacitor generating a voltage of around 330-340VDC. This is then used to charge a capacitor. Across the capacitor is a 1 megaohm resistor to bleed the charge off when power is disconnected. Also across the capacitor is a Xenon strobe tube. Another .68 microfarad capacitor charges throuhg a 1.8 megaohm resistor until it reaches the breakover voltage of a neon lamp. The neon lamp then dumps the charge into the gate of a silicon controlled rectifier which is shunted by another resistor. This turns the SCR on which takes the rest of the charge and dumps it into the primary of a trigger transformer. This voltage is then stepped up to around 3000kV at a low current which is applied to the outer envelope of the Xenon tube. This ionizes the xenon gas in the tube, forming a conductive channel which quickly discharges the main storage capacitor, resulting in a bright flash. The process repeats until power is removed.
You may have noticed that the gate shunt reisistor between the neon lamp and the SCR is unlabeled. This is becuase I took it out some time ago and it has since been lost. In fact, it is completely unnecessary and it won't hurt the circuit one bit if it is left out. If you decide to include it, I would go for the lowest possible value which still allows the circuit to operate.
The diodes can be anything that can handle at least 400V. I think the ones in the original circuit are 1N4001.
You can find Xenon tubes in most places that sell strobe
lights. Check the lighting aisle in your local big box store.