Thread: Hack a Power Strip for Installation of Fluorescent Starter Sockets

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Originally Posted by yardhauntjunkie

If you put the starter in line and added a fuse is it relatively safe or does the power strip bring something to the party that I am missing?

The power strip allows you to change the starters quickly when they die. I've had a few go out when I use higher wattage lights, ~40 watts. The starter pins are difficult to solder, and you usually end up taping the heck out of the wires to keep safe. With a circuit breaker built in you don't need to worry about overloads. I like having three separate flicker effects from one location - I just plug in the lights and go. I used it a couple years ago in the graveyard - I placed the strip in the center and ran cords to the lights placed in various spots around the graves. I wish I'd gotten a video of the graveyard, it was a nice effect.

Using an inline fuse is perfectly OK, and most of the designs using single starters recommend them. I've lost only 3 starters over the past few years and that was running 40 watt lights. If you use them with <20 watts they last a while; I haven't had one go out yet.

I made an assumption based on what I am using. I am using starters out of light fixtures so they already have wires attached. So that is my bad. If I put slide-on connectors at both ends I would be able to change out starters quickly so that is a good idea. In my particular scenario there is going to 2 or three lights "malfunctioning" on my fence. They are going to be pretty far from each other, so I don't think I want to have a power strip for just one light because I would end up needing 2 or three power strips. I saw a tutorial where the guy put a fuse in line with the starter. Is that safe or do I need to have the power strips at each light fixture?

If your lights are widely spaced the strip may not be your best bet, but for up to six 20 watt lights you'd need only one strip. Just don't use the same starter for lights that are close together - they'll have the same flicker rate. Kinda takes the randomness out of the effect. Try some FS-5's with your circuits, too. They have a rapid uniform flicker at low wattages, and can handle a 60 watt bulb.

Cool. I am using the starters I find so I am at the mercy of the salvage gods on that one. But, if I find a FS-5 I will try it out. I have a few different ones, but I am on a little vacation so I will have to wait until I get back to see what I currently have in there. I am using two starters right now. They currently are wired last in the line of lights and on each end so they flicker independently and don't effect the other lights. The only thing I am not sure about is the fuse aspect. Any tips on that? Oh and I am definitely going for a random flicker in my particular situation.

Originally Posted by Otaku

If your lights are widely spaced the strip may not be your best bet, but for up to six 20 watt lights you'd need only one strip. Just don't use the same starter for lights that are close together - they'll have the same flicker rate. Kinda takes the randomness out of the effect. Try some FS-5's with your circuits, too. They have a rapid uniform flicker at low wattages, and can handle a 60 watt bulb.

I made up your strip hack last year and is this right??

FS-2 and low wattage bulbs = Slow flicker
FS-2 and higher wattage bulb = More rapid flicker

FS-5 and low wattage bulbs = Even faster
FS-5 and low wattage bulbs = The fastest??

Originally Posted by Bilbo

I made up your strip hack last year and is this right??

FS-2 and low wattage bulbs = Slow flicker
FS-2 and higher wattage bulb = More rapid flicker

FS-5 and low wattage bulbs = Even faster
FS-5 and low wattage bulbs = The fastest??

What I found was that the higher the wattage, the slower the flicker. With the FS-5, the low wattage bulbs are rapid and regular, when you go higher, the flicker slows and becomes more random. I have both types of starters - I'll post a video of the effect so you can see the differences.

Originally Posted by yardhauntjunkie

How long does the starter typically last when used in this manner? I am assuming it is put under quite a different load then in its intended application.

Has this been answered? I'm curious too as to how long the starters would last. If I turn them on at sunset and off at sunrise for all of October, how many starters might I actually go through?

It depends on the wattage you're running. As I mentioned, I've had 15 - 20 watt bulbs going for the past couple of seasons, probably 60 - 80 hours total. I like to set up my lighting several days before I put the props out, so I have lots of flickering lights around the house for a week or so before the big night. I haven't lost any starters yet with the low wattage bulbs, but I have burned a couple of FS-5's running 60 watt bulbs.

While I've hacked many individual light sockets in this manner, hadn't thought of doing the power strip. Just some plans cheaper/simpler.

Ok looks like I might be S.O.L. but what I'm hoping for is lots of very low wattage bulbs (like 5 watts) and preferably a slower yet quite random flicker.... is this doable with this method? or should I just dump in lots of battery tea lights which is my original idea. What I want to do is light a lot of fake jack o lanterns and I'd rather not have to use batteries but still want the flicker and preferably at least somewhat different flickerings spread out