I need a way to illuminate this fake pumpkin.
10I made this the other day. It's one of those fake, Styrofoam pumpkins.
I had a Dremel and too much time on my hands. It needs a little cleaning up, but it turned out way better than expected. I have two more that I have plans for as well.
The problem I have is lighting it up. I tossed a flashlight inside for the picture, but that isn't a good solution for an outdoor scenario. I can't put a candle in it and I would like it to turn on automatically (at dusk). I can't think of anything that would work, so I am asking you all for suggestions. What do you use to light up your jack-o'-lanterns?
Main requirements:
- It's gotta be bright, clear light (not warm white)
- I would prefer to be able to plug it into a regular 120V outlet so I can use my day/night outdoor timer.
- It should be weather-proof as much as possible
Also, if anyone has made some cool carvings, throw up some pictures.
- 12 comments, 8 replies
- Comment
I'm using these in my Funkins: https://meh.com/deals/2-for-tuesday--eveready-compact-led-area-lights-1
Would look better if it were darker, but here are my 2 pumpkins lit by the Eveready Compact LED Lanterns.
@mediobarkre -Those are awesome!
white Christmas lights?
@Foxborn I thought about that, but I haven't figured out how I would use them. I think just throwing a bundle of wire in it would look weird.
@Willijs3 seems any light source could work as long as you tape some shear tissue paper on the inside of your cutout to defuse/disguise the light source.
Nicely executed BTW!
@willijs3 What @RedOak said also try for white wire if you can find it. Thrift store maybe. Dollar store might have something too. or a short like 10 - 20 bulb line
@RedOak Now that's a damn good idea. Wax paper or thin plastic so it will be "waterproof." I think I'm going to attempt this tonight. Thanks!
@Willijs3 those are better ideas for waterproof. Wax paper? Fond memories from mom using it. Life too rushed for us to do much baking. ;-)
Perhaps several wrinkled layers of 'Saran' wrap would also be obscure enough.
If the pumpkin is foam, then push pins might work better than tape to fasten.
i made one of these a while back. just use a brighter led. just use longer wire and put the photocell outside of the pumpkin so it automatically turns on/off.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Blue-Bawls-automatic-LED-light/
How about those simulated white candles that the warehouse clubs sell in sets? They typically have built in 24 hour timers that turn on for 8 hours at the same time very day. You train them by... turning them on at the time you want.
not sure if real pumpkin
Our local Arboretum has an annual pumpkin carving contest, then displays the creations for two nights. To prevent fire, they use the little LED votives. Works well.
Get some of those cool led light strips on sale today !
Meh to the rescue.
@ceagee Already done. It won't get here till the 30th, though. I'll have to be patient.
I meant to mention this here, but I can't remember what they're called. There's a simple, small bulb lamp light that just clips into something and holds up a small bulb. They're bright, cheap and perfect for your purposes. If I remember what they're called, I'll share.
(ETA - they're called a Clip In Light - of course!)
Buy today's 3ft tape light and jam it in there!
not what you had in mind, but I've thrown a handful of these in pumpkins to give them weird colored glows. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005MH4WXM?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00
as an added bonus, trick or treaters like em if you want a candy alternative