Thread: LED vs christmas mini lights in foam

Tweet

I am trying to make the "glowing embers" effect under a cauldron. I have 1 strand each of red and orange chaser lights with controls. Can I use these instead of LED lights? Encased in the "great stuff" expandable foam? I understand that the strands of christmas mini lights do give off some heat (unlike LEDs) but are they still acceptable to use encased in the foam without becoming a fire hazard??? And by the way....You guys (and gals) ROCK!!!! I have only just joined but have read your helps and hints throughout the years. Hope you'all can help out again!

Thanks!

People have used both, the "real" mini lights tend to work better than the LEDs since the light goes in all directions while if the LEDs aren't pointed right they don't light up the foam. Heat doesn't seem to be much of an issue... though a short might be a fire hazard.

My coals prop was made by doing the usual thing, cutting the tops off of bottles and using wood blocks, etc, to create an uneven surface. Then I draped a piece of cheap vinyl over it and sprayed the foam over that. Then I put the lights underneath it after it hardened (I peeled the vinyl off but you don't have to do that). Since I used LEDs, I finally had to tape them or stuff them into the foam to make them point straight upwards. For this year I'll be thinning the foam to let more light through and maybe switching it to mini lights. My only concern with the "foam over the lights" version is how will you change the bulbs if they're embedded in Great Stuff?

If you really want to use the minis vs the LEDs then that shouldn't be a problem. Just dont leave it unattended for too long. But changing the bulbs While not impossable, would probably ruin the prop. You might want to add a blue light in the mix too. I'll be doing that to mine this year. (new ones that is)

http://mrjingleshalloweenhaunts.file...5/dsc05332.jpg
http://mrjingleshalloweenhaunts.file...5/dsc05334.jpg
http://mrjingleshalloweenhaunts.file...5/dsc05353.jpg
http://mrjingleshalloweenhaunts.file...5/dsc05337.jpg

for my fire i used clear mini lights (regular) and red, orange and yellow cello bags i got off ebay cheap. punch a hole in the bottom of the bags for the lights to go in, and crinkle up the paper. i do the same for the inside of the cauldron only with green cello. this will be my 4th year using them that way.

For my cauldron I made a circle of bricks and put 4 sets of led mini lights inside the circle with the cauldron on top. I connected the 4 lights to a chase controller and put it on the fastest setting.
Chase controller:http://www.guitarcenter.com/Elation-...06-i1156172.gc

Not the cheapest method, but with with some burning and bubbling sound effects, it makes a very realistic looking fire.

I could probably post a video if anyone is interested.

I was told that they sell fireproof foam. I asked our electrician.