[hancocp]

I needed a flickering white LED light for a blacksmith's forge on a friend's model railway layout. I found some flashing LEDs in my spares box 'built' this. Very effective for only four parts, the flashing LEDs are only about 40p each.

The white (steady) LED flickers due to the interaction between the small variations in the flashing LED flash rate. I used two colours as the flicker was more pronounced this way. I used a tiny piece of matrix/vero board to mount the flashing LEDs, then covered this with a small length of heatshrink tubing. Black paint sealed the ends. You can use any colour for the flicker LED (orange makes a good flame simulation). No current limiting resistors are needed, as the flasher circuitry provides this. Built with both 3mm and 5mm LEDs and all good. Obviously 3mm save space.

I may be able to post a quick video of the flicker later.