Thread: Flame lights

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I'm really wanting to imitate the flame light spencers and halloween stores sell and since im wanting to make at least 20 this year, im wondering if the idea i have in mind would work:

Taking a plastic dollar store bowl, drilling holes on the side of the bowl to attach the metal chain, then adding a computer fan in the bottom of the bowl, attaching 2-3 pieces of light weight white fabric and an orange light on top of the fan.

Would the computer fan idea work? I need to make it to where it used the LEAST amount of electricity and wires.

Sorry if this is confusing!

I think you're going to need something stronger than that unless your flames are very small, maybe one of those mini generic Vornados.

I don't know how strong a computer fan is but I have flame torches that are battery operated so it doesn't have to be TOO powerful as long as you have lightweight fabric.

Sounds fine to me. Computer fans push a lot of air, more air than I though. They're used for cooling when the computer is in use (of course) so they're gunna need to be fairly powerful. Use some sort of silk for your flames, like the fake flame lights they came out with quite a few years ago. (They blew my mind as a kid) Also, we got a new fan for our computer, on the serial/product number it says "HD". We think it means HEAVY DUTY - so maybe consider some of those as they might be more powerful

Try to make the fan as efficient as possible. This involves giving plenty of air openings in the bottom of your bowl (a few large holes are better than many small holes) and keeping the air outlet safe but not overly obstructed by using the wire fan grills many PCs use. Also, give a little air space (I'd suggest an inch) between the bottom of your bowl and the side of the fan the air enters. Try varing the voltage to the fan to find the "sweet spot" where you get nice looking faux flames with the least amount of voltage. This not only keeps power usage low but more importantly (to me) keeps the sound of the fan low so it doesn't spoil the effect. Larger diameter fans usually make less noise than smaller diameter fans when pushing the same amount of air, but fans typically push the most air around the outermost part of their blades - so some experimenting with silk placement may pay off.

Are you planning on operating this by batteries or a plug in power transformer (wall wart)?

check out your local surplus stores. there usually tonnes of cheap fans (computer and appliance)

i picked up a handful the other day.(whisper @ muffin )

$2 each, 4" fan that looks just like a computer fan only they run off standard hydro. (120ac not 12volt dc)
they move tones of air (alot more than a similar computer fan)
while i was there i noticed 2 prong daisy chain type wiring. (the fans have matching male prongs, cord being the female end)

this would allow you to run multiple fans on one power cord.

with the milliamps being so low on each fan, you should be able to wire 10 or so to one cord. (suspended above your lighting and down one of the chains to the bowl) you just might have to extend a few wires

I used a computer fan in my flaming skull it worked quite well

wonderful everyone. my boyfriend came up with the idea of using a small handheld face fan, the kind you use at theme parks and what-not. I may try this. Im wanting to use batteries for the fans. We usually run so much power with our haunt we usually have a fuze blow out, im trying to avoid this since this yr my dad won't be helping me with technical difficulties! LOL

This sounds like a neat idea.

We have 240v over here in the UK and I can buy those 4" fans here so that will be easier as I would just plug it into the mains. However, they're more expensive at about £13 ($20) each, whereas the 12v DC (PC type) 4" fans I can pick up for a lot less - about $5 on Ebay here

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CIT-12CM-120MM...34721577504911

I've picked this one as it already has built in red LEDs which I thought may provide the glow effect, although I suspect they won't be powerful enough for that, so would need to consider a separate lighting source.

However, I wonder what would be the best way to do this - 12v DC or 240v? If 12v I thought I could use an old PC power supply unit (PSU) as this should be capable of running several fans, probably lots if I get enough cable adapters. 12v would be safer too as I'd possibly be placing these outside.

But if I went for 240v, this would be easier as I would just plug them straight into the mains.

But to be honest, I'm not very good when it comes to electricity and so any ideas what would be the best method?

If I were to go down the 12v route, what would be the best way of powering the light(s) for these? It would be so much easier (if I'm thinking right) to use a 12v power supply for the lights (piggy-back off of the fan power supply?), but I've no idea how easy it is to obtain domestic light bulbs that run on 12v. What I did think of was a standard car indicator bulb. Would that work?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

I tackled this problem last season. Depending on the size of your flame, you need a fan that pushes a lot of CFM. I found two brands that suited my needs; Vantac Tornadoes and Delta fans. I was able to score 1 for free and one on ebay for about 10 bucks. Here is a link to my "flaming pumpkins". Help w/ a Trick 'R Treat Pumpkin