In this video I explain the intended operation of florescent light starters, how to adapt them for "haunted house" purposes, and the theory of operation. Great for creating a flickering light effect, as if losing power.
Пікірлер: 66
@UnderMan4 жыл бұрын
Add a cheap dimmer switch, not the electronic ones, in series with the starter to control the flicker rate. Easy way to customize your light for the area it's in.
@vencislavpenev9902 Жыл бұрын
How to get this exact same effect but with LED light and using max 12v ? Any advice please 🥺🙏
@michaelalexander43286 жыл бұрын
Good to know about the lifespan of the starters, thanks! Will try this!
@EvilOliveProductions6 жыл бұрын
You're welcome!
@jssherrard5 жыл бұрын
Why not just use a proper florescent starter socket? They are super-cheap and allow you to replace starters in literally a second with no need to touch any wiring. Far faster, far safer, and you can find them for just a few bucks. Also, an in-line 1/2 amp slow-blow fuse would provide additional safety for little effort and almost no money.
@PlanetDoomHaunt7 жыл бұрын
Thanks for this. Very helpful.
@TheCypherBlu10 ай бұрын
Thanks!!
@Jeffrey3141596 жыл бұрын
The starter switches current on/off thru the inductive ballast to create an intense voltage spike that ionizes the gas in the tube - - - ?
@EvilOliveProductions6 жыл бұрын
Only to initially start the process...im by no means and electrical expert btw lol, just trying to explain a little bit of theory on how it works. "basically": The starter acts as a timed switch to allow a larger amount of current flow through the gases inside the fluorescent tube to initiate illumination...once the "arc" between the filaments is created, the current follows the lesser path of resistance and the starter is no longer needed...from there the ballast regulates the current. There are a few really good videos across KZfaq that do a far better job of explaining the theory than I...they also have interactive visuals to help :)
@woodbeard986110 ай бұрын
how can i achieve this flickering effect to fluorescent tubes?? need it for halloween :)
@geoseward6 жыл бұрын
Tried the starter on halloween mini lights and they work perfectly, and also on a small lamp bulf. On the Gemmy spot and kaleidoscope lights they blinked on momentarily and than nothing.
@joeythefoxxo4 жыл бұрын
If there isn’t enough power in the circuit, the starter isn’t able to make an arc from the heat. (More amperage equals more heat in smaller wires, such as the wires inside the starter.)
@UnderMan4 жыл бұрын
Add a christmas light in parallel to the light circuit. You can tape the bulb if you like. It will add the necessary load to get the starter to trigger.
@akkar8006 Жыл бұрын
I'm not sure what starter to use? I have 42w eco halogen bulbs... Thanks
@Qui-93 жыл бұрын
I wonder why these don't flash at a more regular rate, like a normal bimetallic flasher? Why the randomness?
@user-ou5bj1up3r11 ай бұрын
Will this application also work with regular string lights.?
@drakessupersecretchannel60863 жыл бұрын
Can I add the effect just for the turn on? So once I flip the switch they flicker for a couple seconds then stay on
@mr.matthews673 жыл бұрын
Since you have so many of those I want to see what it would do if you add more into the same circuit in parallel. Would it make the light come off and on more sporadically? Or would there be no change? Just a thought.
@corium695 жыл бұрын
Great video! I will use this idea next year. Who does that song for your intro? Down in the Basement?
@EvilOliveProductions5 жыл бұрын
Its my buddies band from Chicago called "The Ugly" they do have their stuff for sale! check them out facebook.com/theuglypsychos/
@geoseward6 жыл бұрын
Can you use this method for incandescent halloween lights? I want to effect a faux fire effect.
@EvilOliveProductions6 жыл бұрын
That is actually a good question, i haven't thought to try. Theoretically it SHOULD work, but it also depends on the wattage-draw of the bulb/bulbs. Being all on a single string they will all blink at the same time, so you may need more than one circuit of them going to get the effect you want. What I'd suggest doing is using a strand of red or orange lights like you are talking about as a base color...and then picking up one of the "fire and ice" RRO (Red & Orange) projector lights from home depot. That will give you more of a "movement" effect than just a flicker. Hope this helps! :)
@geoseward6 жыл бұрын
Monster Tutorials has a great video on You Tube regarding making a faux Halloween fire complete with a cauldron. In his case he uses LED halloween string lights but they do not blink so I wanted some sort of blinking lights more on the order of a fire. I do have the Gemmy Fire and Ice kaleidoscope so will try it. Thanks again for the prompt response. Halloween is just around the corner and need to get working.
@EvilOliveProductions6 жыл бұрын
I know the exact video you're talking about! if you do use the Gemmy projector i think it should fill the whole space with light alright...maybe paint the inside of the enclosure white to help reflect all of the light it can for the edges. If all else...a pack of the starters is only a couple bucks, couldnt hurt to try it with the light strings...just practice good safety measures :) you bet, and you know it! haha
@deoblo857 жыл бұрын
very cool thanks for sharing !! HFL!!
@philcosupply95774 жыл бұрын
I'm making an led rope neon sign. I'd love to have a flicker like this to make it look more neon. Any suggestions?
@DavidLee315143 жыл бұрын
How often do you need to change the starter?
@joeythefoxxo3 жыл бұрын
You need to find a sweet spot with the wattage. If it’s too low, the effect is lame. If it’s two high, it’ll burn out. I used 25 watt bulbs and the starter lasts weeks.
@pumpkinhead6257 жыл бұрын
When you splice these into the lamp wire, do you splice them into the the live side or the ground side, or is there no difference?
@EvilOliveProductions7 жыл бұрын
It will work either way...however I personally splice into the live side. In theory any switch/relay should be the side under power at all times and then get "grounded" through whatever is being powered to complete the circuit.
@geoseward6 жыл бұрын
I had a FS2 on when I tried to use it with the Gemmy light and it did not work. Would the FS5 possibly be better with a spotlight or kaleidoscope light?
@EvilOliveProductions6 жыл бұрын
The projectors lights are all LED, so the "flicker" technique will not work on them at all. You can only use them on incandescent bulbs. They do sell LED "flicker controllers" but they are pricey, and do not generate a random effect but more of a constant on/off pattern. For what you are wanting specifically you may want to try the flame effect bulbs if the Gemmy lights arent enough for ya.
@geoseward6 жыл бұрын
I apologize for posting earlier, I found out after looking online that the Gemmy's were LED lights.
@EvilOliveProductions6 жыл бұрын
haha no worries it happens to all of us :P
@CrazyJames5 жыл бұрын
hey- quick question, i am using fs-2 20w (with condenser) starters to a 26 w bulb, there is minimal flickering at first , then the flickering stops and the light is just on normaly, no more flickering, any ideas? thanks again
@EvilOliveProductions5 жыл бұрын
that is interesting...id say try a higher wattage bulb...i use 40-60 watt bulbs generally...if its not drawing enough power it may not be triggering the circuit to "turn off". :)
@CrazyJames5 жыл бұрын
@@EvilOliveProductions awesome thanks for quick replyyy
@EvilOliveProductions5 жыл бұрын
@@CrazyJames youre very welcome! ya caught me at a good time..."post-haunt-decompression" time lol
@CrazyJames5 жыл бұрын
@@EvilOliveProductions ha, you were right it worked, i used a 100w bulb and worked perf, 25w didnt work thanksss againn
@EvilOliveProductions5 жыл бұрын
@@CrazyJames GREAT!!! you are very welcome, happy haunting!! :)
@patdoyle77196 жыл бұрын
What kind of solder and flux do you use? having no luck with solder joints
@EvilOliveProductions6 жыл бұрын
I had trouble with my solder as well! Glad to know it wasn't just my stuff. I ended up just giving the wires a good "twist job" around the posts and heat shrinking them. I'm not sure what they coated the terminals with...but it fought of 2 kinds of flux, as well as resin core solder that I had laying around!
@patdoyle77196 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the reply I'll let you know if figure it out.
@EvilOliveProductions6 жыл бұрын
Thanks!!
@karensphone6 жыл бұрын
what kind of wire to i need?
@EvilOliveProductions6 жыл бұрын
I use either 12 or 14 gauge stranded wire...you can also use solid wire. I wouldn't recommend going any thinner than 14 gauge just because you'll be running 120v through it :)
@ianvolker27516 жыл бұрын
How many watts is safe to run through this? 60w , 600w ? just curious. i want a strand of out door patio lights to flicker and its about 240w of power draw...thoughts?
@EvilOliveProductions6 жыл бұрын
hmmm. honestly ive always had each bulb on its own circuit with these...im not sure what the max would be for a strand like that. if it wasn't a "haunt night" id do some experimenting in the garage. best thing i can suggest is to try it on a bench first. they are only about $1 each so worst thing that could happen is it could pop in the first 5 minutes you plug it in. if it makes it to 15 minutes id say you should be good...but keep a few extra on hand if you plan on running it several hours to swap out in case they do eventually burn out. and i wouldnt go any higher than that single strand of 240 on a single one just to play it safe if it DOES work. Personally id recommend keeping it as low as possible (around 60), but as haunters, its in our nature to push the limits of things haha :P
@dogmandan796 жыл бұрын
Is it one starter per light bulb or can multiple light bulbs be wired off of the starter?
@EvilOliveProductions6 жыл бұрын
Its best to run each bulb off its own starter...as then the flicker will be more random amongst them. Also, if a starter burns out you wont lose all your lights. AND..im actually not 100% how many bulbs you'd be able to run off a single starter, between the combined wattages and the effective wattage of the starter im sure there is formula for it to keep it working efficiently that im unaware of. But i will see if i can test that theory out soon, or someone else may comment the answer as well. GREAT QUESTION!!!!
@scottmahoney85286 жыл бұрын
HEY MAN! GREAT VIDEO! Can you tell me where you got that light fixture from?
@EvilOliveProductions6 жыл бұрын
Thanks! I picked these up at a garage sale...however they do have similar ones at home depot, lowes, and menards. Im also sure ebay would be another good place to check out ;)
@scottmahoney85286 жыл бұрын
Thank you for the fast reply! I've looked everywhere for that style. Even thought of just making it myself. Nonetheless, your flicker style works like a champ! I want to try a lower watt bulb in a series and see how long it lasts. Have you ever tried that?
@EvilOliveProductions6 жыл бұрын
Im actually planning to eventually make a resin mold of a style like that to sell...so stay tuned in the next few months for that! and thanks! my personal experience has been that lower wattage bulbs tend to make the starters last a little longer, as less power is needed; therefore less durational strain on the armature...however the lower wattage bulbs dont seem to "flicker" as well. however with so many different styles of bulbs your mileage may vary, not to mention every starter is different. play around with it and see what works best, feel free to share your findings as well :)
@scottmahoney85286 жыл бұрын
HA! Sign me up! I'll be buying up your first batch!
@EvilOliveProductions6 жыл бұрын
aaaaand theres the motivation i needed haha ;)
@rride32384 жыл бұрын
is it dangerous to leave it on for several hours?
@UnderMan4 жыл бұрын
No. You can use them over several days. I build extension cords using the starter and a cheap dimmer. I can plug any incandescent bulb into it and control the flicker rate.
@Cglue19976 жыл бұрын
can I use these on a string of C7 lights?
@EvilOliveProductions6 жыл бұрын
That is a good question. You should be able to as long as they are of the incandescent kind. They will however all flicker at the same rate...so unless thats what youre going for i would avoid daisy chaining multiple strands together.
@joeythefoxxo3 жыл бұрын
Buy some C7 flasher bulbs. I know I’m 3 years late but they are what I use.
@bymr.l38856 жыл бұрын
name song?
@EvilOliveProductions6 жыл бұрын
The intro song is "Down in the Basement" by my friends The Ugly. facebook.com/theuglypsychos/?fref=ts Enjoy! :)
@bymr.l38856 жыл бұрын
Thanks
@musclelou6 жыл бұрын
Where can I find lights like that
@EvilOliveProductions6 жыл бұрын
Garage/Yard sales are where I found mine, however if you don't mind "paying a premium", they do have them at menards/home depot. I'm sure they have them online as well. I've actually considered making resin duplicates...but haven't gotten around to it yet.