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

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This is a rebuild of the PDF "Hacking a Boris Skull..." originally posted on the Heresjohnny's site.

How to Hack a Power Strip for Installation of Fluorescent Starter Sockets:

CAUTION: This hack involves altering an AC power strip. If you are not comfortable with working with AC circuits, please do not attempt this hack. If you choose to proceed, the responsibility is yours.

1. This hack will only work for power strips that have individual sockets. The strips that have molded-in sockets use copper frames to distribute power to the sockets, and won't work for this hack.

2. I used a Belkin 6 outlet strip that I got at Home Depot for about $10. You'll need these parts:
- 3 starter sockets, available at most hardware or lighting supply stores
- 3 FS-2 starters
- 4-40 screws and nuts

Tools:
- Small screwdrivers
- Soldering iron
- Wire stripper
- Drill

3. Open the back of the strip to expose the sockets. Using a small screwdriver press on the tabs to release the white wires. The picture shows a black wire, but you get the idea. The white wire in this pic is actually the wire from the starter socket.

Figure 1



4. The white wire called out in this pic is the line that goes into the first socket. Pull it out of the outlet tab but leave it connected to the surge protector board.
White wire (neutral)

Figure 2



5. Drill some holes in the side of the strip housing where you want the sockets to be attached. You'll need two holes to mount the socket and holes for the wires to go through. You can see the ends of the screws in the pics in Step 3 and 6.

Figure 3



6. Mark the drilling locations for the sockets. After you have the holes drilled, install the socket furthest from the power cord using the 4-40 screws. Pull the socket wires through the holes. Cut the white wire to the length needed to reach the socket tab from which you removed the original jumper wire. It's better to have a little more wire than you need – don't cut it too short. Strip about 3/4" of the end and tin the wire with solder. Leave the black wire as-is for now.

Figure 4



7. Repeat this process for the next two sockets. When all three are installed pull the three black starter socket wires along the inside of the strip as shown below. Trim and tin the white socket wires and insert them into the power outlets. Trim the white power strip wire to about a 3" length. Strip and tin the end of the wire. Trim the black starter socket wires to a length that will reach the white wire. Again, a little extra wire is good – don't cut them too short. Strip the ends of these wires and tin with solder.

Figure 5



8. If you have some heat-shrink tubing, slide a piece over the white wire as shown. Solder the 3 black wires to the white wire. Slide the tubing over the wires and shrink it. If you don't have any tubing, use electrical tape to completely cover the junction. You don't want to energize the metal housing.

Figure 6



9. This is what you should have when you're done. Inspect the wiring to make sure that all connections are tight and that the soldered junction is insulated. Replace the cover on the strip.

Figure 7



10. CAUTION: If the strip is powered up without a starter in a socket, that socket has exposed AC terminals. Do not power up the strip without a starter in each socket. Do not hot-swap the starters.

Plug in the FS-2 starters and power up the strip. You'll see that each pair of sockets will have a unique flicker pattern. The starters are pretty cheap – get several and try them out to see how they behave. I've read that FS-4 starters will also work, as long as they're not rated above 30 watts. The max wattage that I've used with this type of circuit is 40 watts per starter.

Wow that is a much more sophisticated and professional job then what I came up with. I just wired mine in line so that I could have them in different areas. I do need to add some fuses at some point.

I'm a newbie with this. Is this to make lights flicker? I'm thinking it is and this is really cool. Thank you

Originally Posted by Terra

I'm a newbie with this. Is this to make lights flicker? I'm thinking it is and this is really cool. Thank you

Yep, that's what it does. Each pair of sockets has a unique flicker. Here's a short video of the effect:

Flicker strip demo video by Otaku1031 - Photobucket

I was wondering if it was for fluorescent lights or something, now I know, great job TK

It'll work with FS-5 starters if a higher wattage is needed, but the flicker rate is quite different. The FS-2's will handle up to about 40 watts, but after that the flicker falls off to a very slow rate. BTW, the hack is mine - many thanks to TK421 for ripping the PDF and getting this posted, ditto for the Boris hack. When Heresjohnny took down his site a few months ago, my flicker strip and Boris hacks went with it.

Originally Posted by Terra

I'm a newbie with this. Is this to make lights flicker? I'm thinking it is and this is really cool. Thank you

Yes it is, if you run it with a thunder sound track, it makes a reasonable thunder and lightning effect

Ahh, okay...

Well then, super cool!

I think this is a great hack. I have a question. 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? Another great one Otaku!

This is how I used the flicker circuit.

YouTube - Pillar 2 0001

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.