Flash Burst Light

[Iced]

Hey Guys, have any of you incorporated a flash burst style light in any of your shows?  I'm looking for something like a very bright twinkle/flash or lightning effect I can include.  Any suggestions?

[duane.mosley]

aether 2 is very bright and can flash rather quick. you'll probably have to wait until next years coop for one though, i have had an add wanting to buy one for over a week now and no responses.

[chrisatpsu]

How big of a flash, IF a bunch of flashes, what about strobes?

[packetbob]

If you want to do it with incandescent bulbs one trick is to keep the filament heated when off. In other words don't turn them right down to zero but leave some amount of power on to keep the filament warm but not to show noticeable light.. This way the filament will heat up much quicker and give more of a flash response when you increase the power quickly...

Of course I have only seen this done on pinball machines flasher lamps but it should work for outdoor lights.....

[jnealand]

I am aware of folks that have used halogen floodlights facing the audience to give a big flash.

[tbone321]

If you want to do it with incandescent bulbs one trick is to keep the filament heated when off. In other words don't turn them right down to zero but leave some amount of power on to keep the filament warm but not to show noticeable light.. This way the filament will heat up much quicker and give more of a flash response when you increase the power quickly...

Of course I have only seen this done on pinball machines flasher lamps but it should work for outdoor lights.....

While this will work, it will be nowhere near as effective when you are dealing with a high wattage light.  Large filaments take longer to heat up and cool down and while preheating the filament will shorten that time, it is still no match for a strobe.

[rrowan]

I am still waiting for the day when I see someone use an arc welder for their flash of light. 

of course that has some danger associated with it and I don't recommend nor endorse it.

Rick R.

[tbone321]

Well, now we all know how Rick does his flashes of light.   

[therealbigjim]

I favor a Taser 

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Not very bright but it will keep people out of your display.

[Iced]

Awesome ideas guys :-D  Particularly the Taser and Arc Welder   I want to temporarily blind, not harm haha

@chrisatpsu "How big of a flash?".  I want a MenInBlack -temporary-blindness kind of flash   Sounds like a strobe might be the ticket?

[rrowan]

How about this idea. To be honest it might be possible.

Thinking of using a car headlights, since they work on 12 volts dc...
The plan would be a MR16 be the controller and depending on the amps draw of a headlight (I didn't look that up) you might have to use a 12 dc relay to handle the higher amps if required.

Rick R.

btw: Use the High Beam lights of course 

[zwiller]

I was pleasantly surprised with 8 - 10W led spots.  It's a good compromise of effect and not getting the police called.  Checkout out at 2:35: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login  Notice the spot on the far upper left?  I had to aim it lower for the sake of the neighbors.  I filmed this in their driveway...  Without neighbors 30W would blind nicely.  Ever face an aether II???   

[Iced]

zwiller!  Awesome video!  I'm keeping my eye our for an Aether

[tbone321]

How about this idea. To be honest it might be possible.

Thinking of using a car headlights, since they work on 12 volts dc...
The plan would be a MR16 be the controller and depending on the amps draw of a headlight (I didn't look that up) you might have to use a 12 dc relay to handle the higher amps if required.

Rick R.

btw: Use the High Beam lights of course 

If you are thinking of the car headlight route, then you might want to look for the newer LED car headlights.  Much faster response time, a bluer light, and much lower current draw than the Halogen or standard ican headlights.  But with the cost of them, you might simply be better off buying and building some Aethers.

[zwiller]

Thank you. 

You can save some serious coin if you want white only.  This is already 110VAC and you can run em with an Express.  You can find 12VDC options too.  They got a 50W 
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In all seriousness, if you mount some of these on your house and point em at a public street, I think the cops will be there.  I would try a 10w first...  Also, use sparingly!