Vincenzo Di Salvo Posted December 15, 2019 Share Posted December 15, 2019 Hello everybody,Can you tell me if there is a simple electrical circuit that allows the flickering of one or more bulbs as seen in horror movies? Where can I buy it? Thanks in advance. Regards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member Phil Rhodes Posted December 15, 2019 Premium Member Share Posted December 15, 2019 Many LED movie lights will do it, but may create rolling shutter artefacts, so be careful. A mains powered tungsten lightbulb will flicker when wired in series with a fluorescent tube starter. By default the flicker will be rather fast and frenetic, so it may be useful to also include a triac dimmer in the circuit. This will allow the character of the flicker to be adjusted to something appropriate to the scene, though it will also naturally affect the brightness and colour temperature of the lightbulb. Test with various combinations of bulb and dimmer setting. I've used this on bulbs up to 50W on 240V mains. If you use higher wattages or for long periods, check the starter doesn't overheat. Mine have never shown any sign of it, but better safe than sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincenzo Di Salvo Posted December 15, 2019 Author Share Posted December 15, 2019 Amazing ! It really works. Thanks very much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JB Earl Posted December 17, 2019 Share Posted December 17, 2019 the flo starter trick works great, especially if you need a bunch. You can also get flicker boxes with variable control for around $100 that will run a few hundred watts. https://lightsalive.com/controllers/miniflicker2-microflicker.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guillaume Cottin Posted December 17, 2019 Share Posted December 17, 2019 And to state the obvious, you can rent a Magic Gadgets flicker dimmer. The effect might be less realistic albeit more controllable. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timHealy Posted December 29, 2019 Share Posted December 29, 2019 Interesting solution Phil. Short of a light board and a programmer, the next best thing to a Magic Gadget Flicker dimmer is a Magic Gadget Shadowmaker. https://www.magicgadgets.com/product/shadowmaker/ Just a great tool to do all sorts of random or rhythmic flickering and flashing. It has three 20 amp channels. But don't forget that when using one or 2 channels that the first channel powers up the controller. My only complaint is the still seem to build these with fuses and not breakers. It is just a terrific device for smallish flickering effects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niall Flynn Posted February 13, 2020 Share Posted February 13, 2020 Anybody have any links to cheap ish flicker box set up for 240 volt lighting? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom McGrath Posted February 13, 2020 Share Posted February 13, 2020 https://limelitedesign.com/collections/dimmers/products/2-5kw-flicker-generator These are manufactured near Manchester. I think Anytronics in the UK also offer flicker dimmers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now