Thread: Flickering bare light bulbs?

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I am thinking for my Halloween party this year I want to have an insane asylum theme, and was wondering if anyone knew how do get that creepy dull light bulb flickering effect. I was thinking of running a string of them down my narrow livingroom.

I made these using the flourescent starter units. I believe it was the F5. There is a starter that won't work also, but I don't remember the number. There is a post on another site but I forget which one. It is wired into an extension cord on one wire and wired into an outlet or leave the cord end on to plug into, IE: a lamp.
I had these in a hallway and I am using them again this year.

I saw a post of a forum member that made one by wiring old christmas lights with controller. These where attached to light sockets that made them flicker random.

Here it is...just found it

Flicker Light Controller Made from Christmas Lights

Video

It is an FS-2 Fluorescent starter. It does require a starter base socket as well. You can splice an extension cord to do this. The only thing is that i recommend you keep the bulb to a TOTAL MAXIMUM of 25watts and no more. This ensures that it will last without failure. Best of luck to ya!

How do the fluorescent starters work?

Originally Posted by Industen

I saw a post of a forum member that made one by wiring old christmas lights with controller. These where attached to light sockets that made them flicker random.

Here it is...just found it

Flicker Light Controller Made from Christmas Lights

Video

YouTube - double blink.MP4

Thanks for posting this. I'm trying to find a light controller that isn't ridiculously expensive. This does look possible I know the tutorial said to look at garage sales, but I live in downtown Chicago...

There is a make n take class at hauntcon that shows how to make one and you keep it. I plan to take it, but thats not for 2 weeks, I could let you know then.

Originally Posted by scarybill

There is a make n take class at hauntcon that shows how to make one and you keep it. I plan to take it, but thats not for 2 weeks, I could let you know then.

Thanks! I'll look forward to that!

Just saw this video. Thought it was brilliant they way they created this effect!

If you go the fluorescent starter route, here's a hack for a power strip that uses three FS-2 or FS-5 starters. The FS-5's can handle 40W bulbs with no problems, but lower wattage bulbs will flicker very rapidly.

Hack a Power Strip for Installation of Fluorescent Starter Sockets