How do those flickering LEDs work?

No_6 · Post by **No_6** » Sat Sep 04, 2010 3:16 pm

Just wondering, because I was thinking of using several of them, but it would be no good if they all flickered in the same frequency. Also, will these have a shorter life than if I were to create an actual circuit to do the same thing?

Umi_Ryuzuki · Post by **Umi_Ryuzuki** » Sat Sep 04, 2010 8:35 pm

Basically, there is a small circuit board in the fixture to create the flickering

There are a lot of styles made for the Model Railroaders...

http://www.ngineering.com/lighting_effects_products.htm

Ziz · Post by **Ziz** » Sat Sep 04, 2010 9:21 pm

If you need a bunch to flicker at different speeds you could try hooking them up in parallel. Then each will flash on their own schedule. If you want them all to flash in sync (like running lights) then use one flashing one and hook it up in series with some non-flashing ones. Then the flashing one will control the rest and they'll all blink at once.

No_6 · Post by **No_6** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 3:00 pm

Thanks for the info! I'll have to take a closer look. Just looked like a normal LED to me. I figure it's a really cheap (and easy) way of getting an interesting lighting effect.

en'til Zog · Post by **en'til Zog** » Mon Sep 13, 2010 6:51 am

"Flickering Candle" Yellow LED with Lens : G17848 - Unit Price: $0.99
Small 5mm LED has built in IC to cause it to "flicker" like a candle. Complete with frosted push on lens. LED has lead length as shown. Operates on 3VDC at 18mA. G17848

from the electronic goldmine

www.goldmine-elec.com

brt · Post by **brt** » Mon Sep 13, 2010 12:21 pm

Item Number : G17848

Unit Price: $1.49

I guess they raised the price to pay your referal fee?

en'til Zog · Post by **en'til Zog** » Mon Sep 13, 2010 4:24 pm

Dang. They said they'd wait for...

ahem

I think the $0.99 is a current sale price, or at least it was yesterday.