groggy Posted March 1, 2015 Share Posted March 1, 2015 As the title suggests I want to create a flickering light effect by dimming some flourescent tubes, I've seen this done many times before but never done it myself. Is there anything I should watch out for? We are going to be buying the fittings and I dont want to get the wrong type. Is it just a case of running it through a dimmer. I think I heard that the bulb will be ok with not having the correct voltage just the starter may get damaged over time, so I will make sure I have some spares. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave m Posted March 1, 2015 Share Posted March 1, 2015 We have a plate of wood with a pair of domestic lamps in batten holders.One red, one orange. They are wired via flori starters and if dimmed flicker slower to create a fire effect Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam2 Posted March 1, 2015 Share Posted March 1, 2015 What exactly are you trying to achieve ? If a fake fire effect, then as others suggest, suitably coloured incandescent lamps wired in series with fluorescent starters works well. If a flickering fluorescent lamp is specificly desired, then I would consider a standard switch start fluorescent lamp circuit but with an incorrect starter fitted. For a 4 foot or longer lamp use a starter intended for twin series 2 foot lamps. Note that for either effect that a traditional starter often called a glow starter is needed. The more modern electronic starters wont work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geetrt Posted March 1, 2015 Share Posted March 1, 2015 If you are after spooky: I achieved the flicker-effect a few years back by using modern electronic starters, dimmerpacks configured as switchpacks and running flicker-fx and a random chase from chamsys,with some gel-tubes over the TL's. The electronic starters make it possible to start the TL's immediately. It really looked Unreal ;) I bought them from Eurolite, and I believe they were about 13 euros a piece, complete with TL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groggy Posted March 2, 2015 Author Share Posted March 2, 2015 Yes I want the effect of the fluorescents flickering, It's not trying to recreate fire or a flicker bulb. But thanks for the replys. I had thought of running them through a random chase effect. Thanks for the advice about the Glow starters its definately worth experimenting with. I think what I want is the effect of the bulb failing to ignite properly. The idea is that they could represent either flash photography or explosions. A strobe would create a much more realsitic effect but that's not what I'm going for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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