Lighting: Bulb Flasher

Eyegore · #1 10-05-2008, 09:22 AM

Has anyone ever heard of a product called a flasher button?
It's a round disc that fits at the bottom of a standard light socket that when a bulb is screwed onto it; makes the light bulb flash at varied rates.

My local Home improvement store has these for 5 dollars; but Im not sure how well they work. Im trying to replicate the flickering lights effect on my outdoor recessed lighting. Has anyone used these?

bradbaum · #2 10-05-2008, 11:17 AM

I thought that product was a diode that converted the AC to DC to extend the life of the bulb.

walkingcorpse · #3 10-05-2008, 02:53 PM

Walgreens used to carry these at Christmas for about $3. If you are trying to get incandescent bulbs (with standard sockets) to blink independently then these should do the trick.

DeathDealer · #4 10-05-2008, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradbaum

I thought that product was a diode that converted the AC to DC to extend the life of the bulb.

There are several different models that do different things.

Frankie's Girl · #5 10-05-2008, 03:08 PM

If that works, I may have to go get some of those... that is an interesting little gadget.

DeathDealer · #6 10-05-2008, 03:23 PM

They seem to have three different flash rates available. I look forward to hearing how this works out.

http://64.239.63.88/catalog/pdf/R%2017.pdf

partsman · #7 10-05-2008, 05:13 PM

Hi Eyegor,
I've seen those before! My older brother used to use those back in the '70's when he was dating, they worked great back then, I didn't know that they still made those. Be careful that you put them in the socket the right way around, he caught one of his lamps on fire by putting it in the wrong way!

Now that I see that they still make them, I'll have to look for some, just think of the effect that you'd get by using this in a flicker circuit (florecent starter wired into a standard circuit) Instant lightning!!

Diabolik · #8 10-05-2008, 05:56 PM

I have a couple of these. I am not sure what type of effect you are looking for, but these are going to give you a very steady blinking pattern rather than a "flicker" .

Eyegore · #9 10-05-2008, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by partsman

Hi Eyegor,
I've seen those before! My older brother used to use those back in the '70's when he was dating, they worked great back then, I didn't know that they still made those. Be careful that you put them in the socket the right way around, he caught one of his lamps on fire by putting it in the wrong way!

Now that I see that they still make them, I'll have to look for some, just think of the effect that you'd get by using this in a flicker circuit (florecent starter wired into a standard circuit) Instant lightning!!

I didn't know that it had been around since the 70s. it must be good if it has stood the test of time. I plan on using them in 5 of my recessed lights outside. But $30 bucks for a light effect...Im not quite sold yet.

I wish there was a video of it. I'll buy one to test it, and post the video here if no one else does. I think the effect will be really neat, and a lot better than flipping the lights on and off!

Does anyone have a video of this in action?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diabolik

I have a couple of these. I am not sure what type of effect you are looking for, but these are going to give you a very steady blinking pattern rather than a "flicker" .

Wait, so the blink?

How fast? I was going for a flicker effect...I guess the flasher buttons won't do the trick, Bummer!

Diabolik · #10 10-06-2008, 05:17 AM

mine probably blinks about once a second ? I also have a half a dozen starter type flicker circuits I use and there is definitely no comparison between the 2.

If you have room in your recessed light fixture, you might be able to make a screw in flicker circuit that you can use. Maybe using one of those light socket to plug screw in adapters ?