Thread: AC flicker power strip hack

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Originally Posted by Otaku

Spilsbury has this little gem for cheap -

http://www.spilsbury.com/viewProduct...LD21513&mid=88

Of course, all the lights will flicker at the same time. But at this price, you could get 2 or 3 of them. An AC relay can be attached to the unit to increase the lamp wattage.

Troy - I did some quick tests with FS-5 starters and found that with < 20 watts the rate was very fast and there was little difference among the 3 starters. A 60 watt load was equivalent to an FS-2 with a low watt bulb. A 100 watt load still had a good blink rate with the FS-5's. Don't know about the life expectancy with that high of a load, though. Did you do any experimentation with the FS-5?

Duh, I wish I would have read your post before I replied to the other...My findings are exactly as yours but as I posted in the above thread the FS-5 still has a very short life with 100 watt Floods. If your only looking for a few nights you would likely get by without having to change the starter out.

I've been thinking about this problem with the flicker rate/starter failure when using 100 watt loads. I'm going to try to wire a 110VAC relay into one of the outlets to allow a high wattage load. The starter would power the relay, the relay would switch power to the outlet.

That should work, Otaku... I'm just thinking of all the clicking noises from relays in the system since I am using a relay to power the strip initially. Will be on the usually on contact and turned off during lightning strikes.

Good point, Bilbo. I have a couple SSR's laying around - that should solve any clicking issues.

So that leaves me with two questions... What is an SSR, and where can I find the starter sockets??

Checked all the biggies (HD, Menards, etc) even tried the evil R.S.

I get mine at Orchard Supply Hardware here in CA, but they don't sell online. Try these guys:

http://www.bulbtronics.com/w/servlet...?storeId=10001

Search their site for "starter socket".

Pretty sure they sell online, and they have the lowest price I've seen for the sockets. They're in Miami and Orlando, NY and Hollywood.

An SSR is a solid-state relay. It uses other methods of switching power, such as opto-transistors, triacs etc instead of an electro-mechanical switch.

Well, I just ordered three of these http://www.bulbtronics.com/w/servlet...&qOrderId=null

Thanks again Otaku, I can't wait to start hacking my strip and flicking my lights.

Nice work can't wait to make one.

Hate when I'm the barer of bad news...

Using a flicker circuit to control relays is probably not going to get you very far. You'll probably end up with just a stack of burned out relays...

Relays are mainly designed for on or off purposes, to hold electrical latches and not switch repeatedly. If you do want to go this route and not be upset about your relays burning out,I'd suggest you invest in some high quality OMRON relays.($$$) Use a relay that is also rated for well over 120volts and a much higher current as the contacts on the relay terminals will be able to handle much more arcing as the circuit is turned on and off over and over and over and over and over again!

The reasons the starters burn out when using a bulb with a higher wattage bulb is that the starter is not electrically designed to carry that much current through it. Don't forget they are designed to normally start a 18-32 Watt fluorescent tube for a split second! With all the safety built into them they are probably good for up to around 60watts.

Why not use two 60 Watt bulbs on two starters next to each other?

I do use this simple circuit in my haunt, like others have suggested for post lamps and other Erie effects. It creates an amazing effect! Completely random and dirt cheap to build. But I won't use more than a 40watt bulb in them as a safety precaution!

Sometimes we must take the simple road to glory!

Would you have the same concern if using SSRs? No moving parts. I have a couple rated at 120VAC, 30A.