fibre optics

[Anonymous]

is there anyone out there with details on how to light ho diesels with fibre optics

[Fergmiester]

You will find most people are starting to light up engines with LED's if you want more information type LED's into the Search the Forum. Some of the guys here are really up on it and can provide you with schematics etc.

Fibre optics are also used to in computer networks so you maybe able to source the optics from a computer network installer. This is how I came across some.

[DSchmitt]

Years ago I used fiber optics to represent Pile headlights (used by the WP) on a couple Atlas N scale Geeps. I removed the plastic "light guide", filed off the locos dual lights to make a flat surface and glued on a short piece of plastic tube (Evergreen) to represent the headlight. Then held one end of a fiber strand near a heat source to make a bulb. With practice you can control the size. The strand was then inserted though the tube into the hood so that the un-bulbed end was near to and pointed at the light bulb[:)]

[Big_Boy_4005]

Fiber optics are great for locations where you couldn't normally fit a bulb or LED. An Ho engine may not really be the best candidate, though you certainly could do it. They are really handy when you want a lot of small points of light from a single source.

A number of years ago, we did a 4' x 8' , two dimensional fireworks display that we hung on the wall. It was really cool.

[Anonymous]

Philip,

Just curious... Why fiber for your locos?

Considering the cost of fiber vs LED it seems that it would not be cost effective. However, to reduce heat on your layout it may be a good choice to light buildings using fiber. One light souce, many outputs.

For those that want to learn more about Fiber Optics here's a good link. http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/fiber-optic.htm

[BentnoseWillie]

On the contrary, Snake - hobby-grade fiber is way cheaper than LED's are. I haven't used data or telecom fiber for hobby purposes, and I wouldn't be inclined to - that fiber is often glass, whereas hobby fiber is plastic; plastic is easier to work with.

I use fiber to light the headlights and ditch lights in my HO diesels. This lets me place the LED in a convenient location, and in some cases lets me use one LED for headlights and ditch lights.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Fergmiester

You will find most people are starting to light up engines with LED's if you want more information type LED's into the Search the Forum. Some of the guys here are really up on it and can provide you with schematics etc.

Fibre optics are also used to in computer networks so you maybe able to source the optics from a computer network installer. This is how I came across some.

[Anonymous]

can you give me contact for the guys with schematics?

[Fergmiester]

QUOTE: Originally posted by philipkeeley

can you give me contact for the guys with schematics?

If you e-mail me I can send you some

[Noah Hofrichter]

www.scalerailgraphics.com sells LED's and fiber optic tubing. They sell LED's for both analog and DCC equipped locomotives. If you Email them they can tell you how all these things work. I haven't acctually bought anything from them, but i've heard them talking about them at train shows.

Hope this helps, Noah [:P][:)][8D][:P]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BentnoseWillie

On the contrary, Snake - hobby-grade fiber is way cheaper than LED's are. I haven't used data or telecom fiber for hobby purposes, and I wouldn't be inclined to - that fiber is often glass, whereas hobby fiber is plastic; plastic is easier to work with.

I use fiber to light the headlights and ditch lights in my HO diesels. This lets me place the LED in a convenient location, and in some cases lets me use one LED for headlights and ditch lights.

Thanks for the info Bentnose, I am a retired 18+ year vet of computer networking so only knew of the glass fiber. It is expensive and hard to work with. If you haven't repaired a cracked "light wire" you haven't lived!! [:0]

Do you have a source for model grade (plastic) fiber?

Is nylon fishing line the same, will it work?

Could you - Would you, enlighten us with a little insight on how to do plastic fiber?

[BentnoseWillie]

Plain (unjacketed) plastic optical fiber from B-L Hobby Pro and Circuitron is available through Walthers. Circuitron's comes in thicknesses from 0.020" through 0.060", and B-L's is from 0.010" through 0.040". Prices hover around $USD 7 for 15' of fiber, enough for 30 or more headlight installations. I use Circuitron 0.020" for HO scale headlights.

Install the LED or lamp in a length of tubing wherever it's convenient. Metal tubing is best for a lamp, plastic or heatshrink for an LED.

Cut a length of fiber about twice as long as you need to reach from where the light source to the headlight casting. This will give some room for errors, and if you're like me, you'll make lots of errors at first! Melt one end of the fiber over a hot soldering iron to form a lens. Work slowly. Rotate the fiber as you go so the lens is square with the fiber, and check often for fit in the headlight casting. When you're satisfied with the lens, test-fit the fiber for length and trim it, then return to the iron and slightly melt the plain end, just enough to remove any roughness from trimming - a rough or jagged surface won't collect light as well. Now you can install the fiber: fix the lens in place with clear adhesive, and a bit of black electrician's tape where the fiber enters the tubing to prevent "leaks" inside the shell.

A longer fiber transmits less light; keep the fibers of equal length to get headlights of equal brightness. You can also use this to get lights of varying brightness (such as headlights, ditch lights and truck lights) driven by one light source.

I generally use one LED to light the headlights and ditch lights at each end. DCC users can add an additional LED for independent control of the ditch lights - a nifty effect.

Hope this helps!

[ndbprr]

Years ago I bought some very thin (less than 1/64") fiber from Edmond Scientific. I think I got a couple of hundred feet for under $10.00 at the time. Obviously it would be more today if they still offer it but they have some neat stuff for us experimenters.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Bentnose! Very good explaination.

[Anonymous]

I ordered a sample pack of fibre optics from here before:

http://www.fiberopticproducts.com/

I was quite impressed. I've always planned on using fibre to light my buildings, once I actually get buildings.. LOL

Mike

[Anonymous]

how would you say add a led for a light source in say a Athearn ac4400 that has no circuit?

[Anonymous]

[e-mail]

[Anonymous]

[2c]
I don't have specific info on how to install fiber optics in a locomotive but I do know it dosen't bend sharply. Anyway, here's some info and a sorce for fiber optics http://www.thefiberopticstore.com/

G.

[AntonioFP45]

BentnoseWilly,

You've given some great details on fiber optics. [;)] Do you have or have you had a layout where you've used fiber optics for lighting buildings, houses, etc?

I'm planning on having a small city on my future HO layout and lighting for me is a must however, I don't reli***he idea of using 200+ bulbs and then replacing burned out ones on a regular basis as this becomes a chore in nooks and crannies![:0][B)]

I know that there was an article about this back in the 1980s in MRR, but I haven't found it in my collection of MRRs and plus I'm sure the technology for layout lighting has advanced since then. [:p]

Thanks for your good input![swg][tup]

[jrbarney]

AntonioFP45,
In the April 2004 issue of Railroad Model Craftsman, author Bob Walker in his article, "Structure lighting basics: Ideas for illuminating the interiors and exteriors of buildings," notes that he will be discussing fiber optics in next month's issue.
Bob
NMRA Life 0543

[AntonioFP45]

Great news! Thanks JrBarney! [;)]

I'm a current subscriber!

I've been so busy that I haven't even had a chance to read through my February issue![sigh] I've been making an effort to set time aside to relax with my family and catch up on my MRR issues. I'm 40 but I see that gray hairs are already "sneaking out" of my scalp! [:p][:D]

[jrbarney]

Antonio and others,
The March/April 2004 issue of S Gaugian has an article on using fiber optics to illuminate automobile headlights.
Bob
NMRA Life 0543