Stand Alone Chase Sequence?

[BenTev28]

I apologize in advance for the vagueness of this question, but here goes....

Has anyone heard of/used a small IC called (I think) a CMOD as a low voltage lighting controller? A couple of years ago I was shown some props using this technology as a pre-programmed, stand alone controller for simple lighting effects. It can be set with a series of commands to open and close circuits, which will then run whenever the chip is receiving power (I think).

My current application is building a couple of carry on lanterns. I would like to make my own fire flicker effect. Chances are I'll end up purchasing something, but I'd like to get away from the usual flicker-bulb suspects if I can.

Thanks!

[thommyboy]

I think what you are looking for is a CMOS Integrated circuit, or IC. There are a few options depending on the number of steps you want to have. For a simple flicker using 2 outputs you can construct a simple flip flop circuit.

If you are just looking for a simple flicker option there are some great low cost options This that you can "blow out"

I pulled the guts and silicon tips out of these to create some simple switched candles for The Secret Garden last year

[BenTev28]

Originally Posted by thommyboy

I think what you are looking for is a CMOS Integrated circuit, or IC. There are a few options depending on the number of steps you want to have. For a simple flicker using 2 outputs you can construct a simple flip flop circuit.

If you are just looking for a simple flicker option there are some great low cost options This that you can "blow out"

I pulled the guts and silicon tips out of these to create some simple switched candles for The Secret Garden last year

That sounds awfully familiar! Thank you for the clarity. I've done some quick basic searches about how to do the circuitry, and concluded that I need to learn a lot more about electronics first.... so out come the big books. If I don't figure it out in time, the tea candle looks like a good back up plan.

Thanks so much, and any advice about getting a flip flop to function at some degree of randomness much appreciated.

BT

[BenTev28]

Originally Posted by thommyboy

I pulled the guts and silicon tips out of these to create some simple switched candles for The Secret Garden last year

Just an update - I ended up following thommyboy's suggestion quoted above with great success. The flicker tealights as sold come in a box of 12, which is nice for having backups in case something goes wrong. I found them VERY easy to rip apart, and the guts conveniently labelled with + and - solder pads (almost like they were expecting them to get opened.... hmmmm....). They come with nominal 3V disc batteries in them, which I replaced with 2 AAA batteries for ease of replacement. I don't know what the actual draw is, but I've gotten at least two hours of on time off of one set of batteries so far. I also wired 10 of the bulbs together in parallel for another effect, which was delicate soldering but not particularly difficult. Those 10 have been running off of two sets of AA batteries in parallel for about 2 hours as well.

In summation - an excellent low-cost starting point for making your own lanterns, candles, etc. Thanks for the suggestions folks!