Flame simulator
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Posts: 46,084
I would like to realalisiticly simulate a flame in a fireplace using a BS 1 or
BS 2.
For now I would just be using super bright LED's, maybe one yellow and two red's
connected to three output pins.
I would like the LED's to flicker independently, each for random length of time
and to vary from dim, not off, to bright.
Has anyone done something similar and have any code to share?
Thanks in advance,
Tom
[noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
BS 2.
For now I would just be using super bright LED's, maybe one yellow and two red's
connected to three output pins.
I would like the LED's to flicker independently, each for random length of time
and to vary from dim, not off, to bright.
Has anyone done something similar and have any code to share?
Thanks in advance,
Tom
[noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Comments
you may consider using the PWM command (with a MIN value for the forward
voltage of the LEDs) to drive the LEDs and RANDOM to create the random
values. You may need to seed RANDOM differently for each LED.
-- Jon Williams
In a message dated 10/17/01 7:28:55 AM Central Daylight Time,
scheibl@p... writes:
> I would like to realalisiticly simulate a flame in a fireplace using a BS 1
> or BS 2.
> For now I would just be using super bright LED's, maybe one yellow and two
> red's
> connected to three output pins.
> I would like the LED's to flicker independently, each for random length of
> time and to vary from dim, not off, to bright.
>
[noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
code. The PAK-V lets you drive all the LEDs at the same time instead of
switching between them one at a time.
http://www.al-williams.com/awce/pak5.htm
Regards,
Al Williams
AWC
* Floating point A/D
http://www.al-williams.com/awce/pak9.htm
>
Original Message
> From: Thomas R. Scheibl [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=QwIyHOa2q8dO9d1WI4K-mBvPTH1Vi1eLmb2AT5zonrTKJc2QAbdDPkqbZKupjIk_r2n8wVIMlCT0]scheibl@p...[/url
> Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2001 7:26 AM
> To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Flame simulator
>
>
> I would like to realalisiticly simulate a flame in a fireplace
> using a BS 1 or BS 2.
> For now I would just be using super bright LED's, maybe one
> yellow and two red's
> connected to three output pins.
> I would like the LED's to flicker independently, each for random
> length of time and to vary from dim, not off, to bright.
> Has anyone done something similar and have any code to share?
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Tom
>
>
> [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
> To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
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> Subject and Body of the message will be ignored.
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can make a simple translucent cover (wax paper on some steel wire
skeleton) and under it a red light, a fan with some streamers. The
effect is very good. You can replace the fand with a motor with some
vertical strips (wavy shapes)that turn at different speeds!
Just a thought, and it may not work at all for you.
Al
--- In basicstamps@y..., "Thomas R. Scheibl" <scheibl@p...> wrote:
> I would like to realalisiticly simulate a flame in a fireplace
using a BS 1 or BS 2.
> For now I would just be using super bright LED's, maybe one yellow
and two red's
> connected to three output pins.
> I would like the LED's to flicker independently, each for random
length of time and to vary from dim, not off, to bright.
> Has anyone done something similar and have any code to share?
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Tom
>
>
> [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I was trying to do the same,, to make a flickerflame ,
just like in Disneyland in some cave games.
I have to tell you that with Basic Stamp is too
complicated because the BS1 or 2 is a microcontroller
with a basic language interface that can only
interprate one command at a time.
To simulate a flame you need to have at least 2
independient signals (maybe a sin or cos math
function). The BS has a command that can generate
this kind of signal but just 1 at a time,, that means
that you will have first a flame in one led and then
this led goes off and then you will have a flame in
the other led... this doesnt work. A solution for
this is to use another integrated circuit working with
the BS2 but it will be a little complicated.
I did this using another microcontroller but this
micro is for advance users. This micro is a real micro
for industrial use. The micro is the Motorola HC12 or
HC11 (both works). This micro can generate the same
signal but you can get as much as 32 (depending on the
package of the micro) signals at the same time and
each signal can be diferent from the other.
This is the only and easy way to do it,,,
If you need more info just tell me!!
Regards,
Alex
--- brownstamp@y... wrote:
> There is a very low tech solution done in museums
> and theaters. You
> can make a simple translucent cover (wax paper on
> some steel wire
> skeleton) and under it a red light, a fan with some
> streamers. The
> effect is very good. You can replace the fand with
> a motor with some
> vertical strips (wavy shapes)that turn at different
> speeds!
>
> Just a thought, and it may not work at all for you.
>
>
> Al
>
>
> --- In basicstamps@y..., "Thomas R. Scheibl"
> <scheibl@p...> wrote:
> > I would like to realalisiticly simulate a flame in
> a fireplace
> using a BS 1 or BS 2.
> > For now I would just be using super bright LED's,
> maybe one yellow
> and two red's
> > connected to three output pins.
> > I would like the LED's to flicker independently,
> each for random
> length of time and to vary from dim, not off, to
> bright.
> > Has anyone done something similar and have any
> code to share?
> >
> > Thanks in advance,
> > Tom
> >
> >
> > [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been
> removed]
>
>
> To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
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you from turning one one "flame," waiting a bit, turning another "flame" on,
then turning them both off?
Original Message
> I was trying to do the same,, to make a flickerflame ,
> just like in Disneyland in some cave games.
> I have to tell you that with Basic Stamp is too
> complicated because the BS1 or 2 is a microcontroller
> with a basic language interface that can only
> interprate one command at a time.
>
> To simulate a flame you need to have at least 2
> independient signals (maybe a sin or cos math
> function). The BS has a command that can generate
> this kind of signal but just 1 at a time,, that means
> that you will have first a flame in one led and then
> this led goes off and then you will have a flame in
> the other led... this doesnt work. A solution for
> this is to use another integrated circuit working with
> the BS2 but it will be a little complicated.
>
> I did this using another microcontroller but this
> micro is for advance users. This micro is a real micro
> for industrial use. The micro is the Motorola HC12 or
> HC11 (both works). This micro can generate the same
> signal but you can get as much as 32 (depending on the
> package of the micro) signals at the same time and
> each signal can be diferent from the other.
>
> This is the only and easy way to do it,,,
>
> If you need more info just tell me!!
drive the LEDs with this. (you may need do drive each circuit through a
transistor, since some of these ideas could pull more current than the
stamp is able to sink/source.)
The light will only get as bright as is driven by the PWM, then slowly
fade. The stamp could drive the pin low to make the LED fade quickly.
You can source current to the LEDs through the RC circuit, so the LEDs will
slowly fade up, and the stamp would drive the RC circuit low to dim the
leds.
Note, when you want the RC circuit to take over, the stamp will have to go
high impedance (input) for that pin.
You could also have a bunch of RC circuits for each LED. the stamp can mux
which RC circuit is driving the LED. with different R and C for each
circuit, the LEDs will fade up/down at different rates.
so many ideas, so little time.
hope some of these help,
joshua
--On Wednesday, October 17, 2001 11:15 AM -0500 Rodent
<daweasel@s...> wrote:
> Um.... you can have two Stamp outputs on at the same time. Whats to
> prevent you from turning one one "flame," waiting a bit, turning another
> "flame" on, then turning them both off?
>
>
Original Message
>
>> I was trying to do the same,, to make a flickerflame ,
>> just like in Disneyland in some cave games.
>> I have to tell you that with Basic Stamp is too
>> complicated because the BS1 or 2 is a microcontroller
>> with a basic language interface that can only
>> interprate one command at a time.
>>
>> To simulate a flame you need to have at least 2
>> independient signals (maybe a sin or cos math
>> function). The BS has a command that can generate
>> this kind of signal but just 1 at a time,, that means
>> that you will have first a flame in one led and then
>> this led goes off and then you will have a flame in
>> the other led... this doesnt work. A solution for
>> this is to use another integrated circuit working with
>> the BS2 but it will be a little complicated.
>>
>> I did this using another microcontroller but this
>> micro is for advance users. This micro is a real micro
>> for industrial use. The micro is the Motorola HC12 or
>> HC11 (both works). This micro can generate the same
>> signal but you can get as much as 32 (depending on the
>> package of the micro) signals at the same time and
>> each signal can be diferent from the other.
>>
>> This is the only and easy way to do it,,,
>>
>> If you need more info just tell me!!
solutions.
Are you trying to make a bulb flicker like a flame?"Asynchronous Lamp
Flickerer" http://www.phantasmechanics.com/alf.html If so you can use a
florescent starter. Or rig up a dimmer with a capicator.
http://www.phantasmechanics.com/fpilot.html
There is also ways to simulate a fake flame with lights on a silk cloth,
moved by a fan. http://www.hiddenmickeys.org/Disney/Imagineering/Fire.html
http://www.employees.org/~joestone/Halloween/Html/silkflame.htm
http://hometown.aol.com/celynn/page1.html
MonsterList Of Links to Halloween Do-It-Yourself Projects, where i got the
links
http://markbutler.8m.com/monsterlist.htm
would be easy, but now I see it can get quite involved. The use was to be
twofold, pumpkin at holloween, using LED's, and artificial fireplace at
Christmas, using optisolators to drive incandescent bulbs.
I appreciate all of your advise, and now that it's fall time, I will go to my
workshop and experiment.
Thanks to all,
Tom
[noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
radioshack blinking leds tied in parallel as I recall. The idea was that the
2 leds would flash at differant random rates, and make a flickering flame
effect.
I tried it myself and had no luck however.
-Kerry
At 08:50 AM 10/19/2001 -0500, you wrote:
>Thanks to all who replied. The idea of simulating a flame, at first, I
thought would be easy, but now I see it can get quite involved. The use was
to be twofold, pumpkin at holloween, using LED's, and artificial fireplace
at Christmas, using optisolators to drive incandescent bulbs.
>I appreciate all of your advise, and now that it's fall time, I will go to
my workshop and experiment.
>
>Thanks to all,
>Tom
>
>
>[noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
> basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
Body of the message will be ignored.
>
>
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>
>
>
Sincerely
Kerry
Admin@M...
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Kerry Barlow
p.o. box 21
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13795
607-775-1132
Connect 2 led's back to back between the outputs of the 555's. Here's
what happens:
Both 555's ON - both led's OFF
Both 555's OFF - both led's OFF
555 #1 ON, 555 #2 OFF - led 1 ON, led 2 OFF
555 #1 OFF, 555# 2 ON - led 1 OFF, led 2 ON
The led's alternate pseudo- randomly, with "off" periods. Use
optoisolators and triacs or solid state relays to drive red and
orange incandescant bulbs. Adjust frequency and duty cycle of each
555 for desired effect. I have built this circuit and it works. You
can use additional, dimmed, red and incandescant lamps to soften the
flickering effect. The "flickering" lamps can also be dimmed to
further enhance the realism of the effect. Using surplus parts this
can all be done for less than the cost of one BS2.
--- In basicstamps@y..., "Thomas R. Scheibl" <scheibl@p...> wrote:
> Thanks to all who replied. The idea of simulating a flame, at
first, I thought would be easy, but now I see it can get quite
involved. The use was to be twofold, pumpkin at holloween, using
LED's, and artificial fireplace at Christmas, using optisolators to
drive incandescent bulbs.
> I appreciate all of your advise, and now that it's fall time, I
will go to my workshop and experiment.
>
> Thanks to all,
> Tom
>
>
> [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I didn't see this mentioned specifically in the other replies, so I
thought I would bring it up. I think the way I would approach this
would be with a tight loop and the RANDOM function. That would
require several LEDs on different pins. Let's assume
' 8 leds on 8 pins, P8 to P15
x var word
dirh=$ff
loop:
random x
outh=x
pause 1
goto loop
The number of leds lit at a time is random, so flickering is the
result. The pause command slows it down a bit, but I am not sure
what delay would give the best effect. Without a pause, the loop on
the BS2 would run about 1500 times per second, which might make the
overall flicker rate too fast. You could also fiddle with the pause
value to make it random:
pause x.nib3
Just an untested thought.
-- best regards
Tracy Allen
electronically monitored ecosystems
http://www.emesystems.com
mailto:tracy@e...
>I would like to realalisiticly simulate a flame in a fireplace using
>a BS 1 or BS 2.
>For now I would just be using super bright LED's, maybe one yellow
>and two red's
>connected to three output pins.
>I would like the LED's to flicker independently, each for random
>length of time and to vary from dim, not off, to bright.
>Has anyone done something similar and have any code to share?
>
>Thanks in advance,
>Tom
>Thanks to all who replied. The idea of simulating a flame, at first, I
>thought would be easy, but now I see it can get quite involved. The use
>was to be twofold, pumpkin at holloween, using LED's, and artificial
>fireplace at Christmas, using optisolators to drive incandescent bulbs.
>I appreciate all of your advise, and now that it's fall time, I will go to
>my workshop and experiment.
Maybe go and search out the old Popular Electronics / Radio Electronics
website (www.gernsback.com) and see if they have any old articles on line
for this. I saw it done in an old magazine article: they used 4 astable
oscillators all running at slightly different frequencies, with the outputs
summed to the control input of whatever lamp driver they were using. It
looked inexpensive and might do what you need.
dwayne
Dwayne Reid <dwayner@p...>
Trinity Electronics Systems Ltd Edmonton, AB, CANADA
(780) 489-3199 voice (780) 487-6397 fax
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