# Simulating Candle/Lantern Flames

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simulating-candle-lantern-flames/219450>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 17, 2003, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simulating-candle-lantern-flames/219450 "2003-12-17T03:06:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![blasphmer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6de8d8/32.png) [@blasphmer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blasphmer)\
**Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simulating-candle-lantern-flames/219450/1 "2003-12-17T03:06:00Z")

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Ok Let me try this thread again. I have a box. It has AC power going into it. It has frosted glass. Inside this box I want to put a nice light, something like an old-time candle or lantern. Does any one have any circuit examples or suggestions on how I should and what kind of lights I should put in this box to make it a nice mood piece?

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**Author:** ![stuyguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@stuyguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stuyguy)\
**Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simulating-candle-lantern-flames/219450/2 "2003-12-17T03:27:01Z")

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I don’t know if this is the sort of thing that you’re looking for, but the hands-down best way to safely mimic real flames is with a light souce, a blower (a fan usually) and a few strips of light, whispy fabric. The light and/or the fabric should be colored red and/or amber. The blower and light source (both hidden for best effect) are positioned under the fabric, which flickers upward. The effect is utterly stunning and unbelievably convincing if done right.

Maybe you could rig up the above arrangement in your box. I suspect that the only real problem would be that the fabric “flame” would be too flickery to represent a real enclosed candle/lantern.

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**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\
**Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simulating-candle-lantern-flames/219450/3 "2003-12-17T03:35:00Z")

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We want to do something similar with a fireplace that needs repair. I do stained glass, so we were thinking of using a combination of colored glass thick enough that the light behind wouldn’t be obvious. We’re going to start out with twinkling Christmas lights.  
I’m not quite seeing your light, do you have a picture? How big is it?  
I have a light box that I use when cutting glass. It has a small fluorescent lamp and angled mirrors to diffuse the light. Would something like that be an option? The light box is only 2 or 3 inches deep thelighted area is 8.5"X11"  
I’d like to know what you finally come up with. The Christmas light thing is my husband’s idea… I think we may need more options. 🙂

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**Author:** ![Eleusis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Eleusis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleusis)\
**Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simulating-candle-lantern-flames/219450/4 "2003-12-17T03:54:25Z")

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I would use something [like this](http://store.yahoo.com/greedyfrog/lig-5011.html) with a standard socket.

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**Author:** ![Eleusis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Eleusis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleusis)\
**Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simulating-candle-lantern-flames/219450/5 "2003-12-17T03:58:51Z")

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Meh that’s not the link I meant to post, [here’s another.](http://store.yahoo.com/allbulbs2/flickerflame.html)

Anyway if you search [froogle.com](http://froogle.com) for “flicker bulb” you’ll get lot’s of results.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![blasphmer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6de8d8/32.png) [@blasphmer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blasphmer)\
**Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simulating-candle-lantern-flames/219450/6 "2003-12-17T04:17:58Z")

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For the Fireplace I suggest this link:  
[http://wolfstone.halloweenhost.com/TechBase/flktch\_FlickerTechniques.html](http://wolfstone.halloweenhost.com/TechBase/flktch_FlickerTechniques.html)

I have some of the flicker bulbs mentioned, they are too neon-orangey for me.