The two main niggles about the Premier dancing flame candles are the rather random colour of the flame LED and the way the flame tends to move quite forcefully and noisily. Both of these issues can be fixed if you're technically inclined.
Because the cases are made of wax it's quite hard to get the internal mechanism out without breaking the case. I've found the most reliable approach is to use a suitable bit of tubular plastic to push the insides out via the flame support ring on the top of the candle. Go slowly and carefully to avoid damaging the flame or its support.
To tame the flame down add a resistor in series with one of the leads on the magnet assembly underneath it. I've found that the value required is either 100 or 150 ohm depending on the candle, so some experimentation will be useful.
You can also try swapping the leads on the coil, since one polarity will push the flame magnet away from the coil and the other will pull it in to the middle. The coil pushing the magnet away seems to have the best effect.
You can also change the LED colour if you wish. And it doesn't have to be white. It could be blue or green for a weird surreal look. (a green flame in a red candle?)
To change the LED requires that the flame assembly is unclipped from the base or physically removed from the spacer pipe in taller candles, then the one or two screws that hold the flame housing together removed. Note the position of the coil PCB in the housing and be careful not to damage its ultra thin windings. Also note that the LED is held in place by just being clamped between the two halves of the housing. Lastly, it's important to note how the flame is mounted as you carefully take the housing apart. There is a thin wire that supports the plastic flame, and it has two right angled ends that go into two tiny holes in the housing and get locked in by the other half of the case. The slight dip in the wire goes at the opposite end to the LED and should dip down, so that the flame centres nearer the back so the LED can shine up onto it.
When reassembling the mechanism into the wax housing, note that the flames wire and also a chink in the case that creates an illuminated line, can be used to help align the mechanism assembly up with the front of the candle.
Because the cases are made of wax it's quite hard to get the internal mechanism out without breaking the case. I've found the most reliable approach is to use a suitable bit of tubular plastic to push the insides out via the flame support ring on the top of the candle. Go slowly and carefully to avoid damaging the flame or its support.
To tame the flame down add a resistor in series with one of the leads on the magnet assembly underneath it. I've found that the value required is either 100 or 150 ohm depending on the candle, so some experimentation will be useful.
You can also try swapping the leads on the coil, since one polarity will push the flame magnet away from the coil and the other will pull it in to the middle. The coil pushing the magnet away seems to have the best effect.
You can also change the LED colour if you wish. And it doesn't have to be white. It could be blue or green for a weird surreal look. (a green flame in a red candle?)
To change the LED requires that the flame assembly is unclipped from the base or physically removed from the spacer pipe in taller candles, then the one or two screws that hold the flame housing together removed. Note the position of the coil PCB in the housing and be careful not to damage its ultra thin windings. Also note that the LED is held in place by just being clamped between the two halves of the housing. Lastly, it's important to note how the flame is mounted as you carefully take the housing apart. There is a thin wire that supports the plastic flame, and it has two right angled ends that go into two tiny holes in the housing and get locked in by the other half of the case. The slight dip in the wire goes at the opposite end to the LED and should dip down, so that the flame centres nearer the back so the LED can shine up onto it.
When reassembling the mechanism into the wax housing, note that the flames wire and also a chink in the case that creates an illuminated line, can be used to help align the mechanism assembly up with the front of the candle.
Question… I have a set that has 2 modes, candle and light. In candle mode the led pulsate but the flame doesn't flicker. It only moves and flickers in light mode. Any idea how to change this so it flickers and pulses in candle mode (or both modes for that matter.)
Hello Clive. Just tried this mod with a 150 ohm and 100ohm and both did not really impact much other then causing the remote not to function?
I did an easy solution with mine that was moving too much & clicking. I just bought tiny clear rubber bands & wrapped it on the base of the flame…Bingo, worked like a charm! 👍🏼☺️
Oh wow, the candle looks SO MUCH MORE REALISTIC after your hack. I wish they would just make the candles like that! I don't know if my husband could hack my candles or not. They're too pricey still to break one or two while doing this. :/ GREAT VIDEO!
Many thanks Clive for the hack. Also please let me know if they can they be connected to a DC supply (5V) instead of batteries. I want to run them for longer time.
Just add some weight to the flame tip..glu tac.
It appears they are now available (eBay – 'LED candle') with remote control, colour changing, timer and variable brightness!
NOW we need them with drone type Lipos that recharge with a USB cable!!
I bought a set of three for £14.99 at a Texaco garage of all places – they had some Christmas type stock on display …they are good but the battery dosent last very long
What size resistor is needed?
The LED in these cheap Luminara /Liown knockoffs are often rather greenish. I've changed out the LEDs in mine to get a whiter look.
Great idea for spastic flames. The first pass didn't look natural at all, but Clive's redo made a huge difference! Awesome!
I swear to god clive was trained in lead-fu. I can't even remotely manage to hold stuff like that.
I like the idea of changing the colors to green or such to use as movie props.
if only these weren't so expensive they would make great Halloween decorations, especially if you added a green LED
I enjoy watching your videos, they're very informational. Can I ask about your camera setup and what you use.
I've seen these candles before, but could never find them online. You mention they're about 10.00, can you provide a link please. Thanks.
Now lets put a 10w led in it and have some real fun or a rgb led
Just wondering, do you know why the cases are made of wax, rather than plastic?