Flicker Questions

[Chris]

I'm looking to flicker two different types of lights.

I'm looking for a way to flicker 12v AC 4-10w bulbs from an outdoor lighting kit. The lights are usually like http://bit.ly/vzpmh and they are powered by something along the lines of http://bit.ly/tDWup We take theses lights out of those housings and mount them in all kinds of situations (Lamps, Pumpkins, Old Fixtures, etc). In the perfect scenario I'd like to be able to flicker 8 (Prop-1?) or 16 (Prop-2?) randomly from each other. I'd also need the ability to flicker one offs now and again however I assume I'd have to sacrifice an entire Prop-1 for this job. For example in a hall/room lined with lanterns. Not sure how to go about doing this.

I'm also looking for a way to flicker lights from https://www.minispotlight.com not sure if this is even possible without some type of capacitor along the lines of your WickLED.

Thanks for any help,
Chris Grande
www.trailofterror.com

[JonnyMac]

Well... it depends what your definitions of "flicker" is. 

Let's start with the lamp.  The up-side is that it uses a filament so this the heating/cooling action provides a bit of a smoothing effect.  The down-side is that it requires more current than the Prop-1/2/SX can handle on one of its outputs.  For projects like this (see the 2008 pics video at www.socalhalloween.com) I have done this:



This converts the low-current output of the controller to a high-current (up to 5A) output; the lamp you spec wants about 0.8A.  But, with the circuit above you're sorted.  I used that to control a car lamp that wanted four amps.

LED spots are a breeze.  Now, they will look very digital if you apply the standard [digital] flicker algorithm that we use with the WickLEDs; if you're just controlling one then the PWM function of the controllers works fine.  If you must apply PWM to multiples then the Prop-SX  (the "mouse house" uses a bunch of these for this kind of function).

[livinlowe]

Jon-
I know you controlled a 12V DC light with your tip 120 circuit, but will that control AC lights as well?

[JonnyMac]

Incandescent lamps aren't AC or DC, they're like resistors that light up. So, if you have a 12VAC lamp you can run 12VDC through it without problems.

[Chris]

Well... it depends what your definitions of "flicker" is. 

I would say something looking along the lines of http://HauntMasterProducts.com/Video/ICF.wmv
for the look I'm going for. We use their ICF to flicker 120v and it gives the look we are after.

Let's start with the lamp.  The up-side is that it uses a filament so this the heating/cooling action provides a bit of a smoothing effect.  The down-side is that it requires more current than the Prop-1/2/SX can handle on one of its outputs.  For projects like this (see the 2008 pics video at www.socalhalloween.com) I have done this:



This converts the low-current output of the controller to a high-current (up to 5A) output; the lamp you spec wants about 0.8A.  But, with the circuit above you're sorted.  I used that to control a car lamp that wanted four amps.

If I wanted to do 8 of those on one Prop-1 what would I be needing to power the Prop-1? Since it seems with this setup the Prop-1 is powering the lights themselves. I saw the above diagram on the post at http://www.efx-tek.com/php/smf/index.php?topic=873.0 Is there a reason the white cable goes to P0 instead of Out0, I assumed they are the same out in different physical formats? Also what gauge wire are you using? Also the code on that page only effects 1 light it seems, is it possible to get that across all 8 randomly?

[livinlowe]

Incandescent lamps aren't AC or DC, they're like resistors that light up. So, if you have a 12VAC lamp you can run 12VDC through it without problems.

Well, that's true. I don't know why it didn't occur to me. Thanks for the info!!

[JonnyMac]

We may be stuck between a rock and a hard place.  You really can't get that effect with the Prop-1 an multiple channels; the Prop-1 can only do PWM (analog level control) on one channel at a time.  The other issue is the current draw; with the Prop-1 you're limited to about 200 mA per channel with multiple channels and yet your light is about 800 mA (too much for even one channel).

The FC-4 is almost an option but is designed for high voltage applications and does need a bit of current draw (we recommend at least 25w on an output).

Now... I'm going to try an experiment with the Prop-1 and will get back to you if it works.  That said, you'll still need current boosters on the outputs as the ULN cannot drive one of your lamps on its own.  We can get the affect you're after with the Prop-SX because it has much more horsepower and can do simultaneous things.  In fact, we designed a new digital candle with the high-power LED elements for a very large amusement park here in SoCal using the SX chip.  Again, though, the current output is going to have to be dealt with.