Ghost Ring

Dancing Ghost Ring

2002 Planned Improvements: Flickering colored lights will give effect of dancing around a fire. Flicker effect made by wiring lights thru a fluorescent starter.

The following is from the Phantasmechanices web site.

http://www.phantasmechanics.com/fpilot.html

THE QUICK'N'EASY FLICKERER

Can it get any simpler than the FlickerPilot? You bet! Phil Tucker sent us his favorite method, and it's about as simple (and clever) as can be. The circuit at right tells the tale. Using a fluorescent starter module (Home Depot), this gadget can handle up to 50 Watts of lights. I can hardly do better than this diagram in explaining it. This requires no elaborate enclosure. All you need to do is insulate your connections carefully, and voila, instant flicker!

IMPORTANT! There is a possible risk of fire with this gadget if the wattage of the bulb is too high. Add a 500ma (1/2 amp) fuse to the circuit for safety as illustrated. (Another description of a similar circuit can be found here with more details. It operates on 230V, however.)

Note that there is no adjustment for brightness, so choose low-wattage bulbs if you want a dimly lit scene. This is the only experimentation required in the construction of this device.

Another experienced starter-flicker user, my friend John J. (mrscary@kiva.net) wrote to us with the following advice: "...you want to use a starter anywhere from 4W up to 25W. Anything over 30W is a waste of time. I've had a good mimic with the 4, 6, 8W or 15-20W pushing a 45W bulb."

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