Fiber Optic fireworks

[Anonymous]

I saw on Great layouts the great idea of using fiber optic fireworks; does any model company make these, what is required? I am not an expert in this field maybe one could help me out. You can catch the repeat of Great Layouts on RFD TV Sunday afternoon to see them; I would love to know how to use these. How do you get the booms on a sound system to synchronize with the flashes? How do you hide the lights during the day?

Doesn’t anybody know.

[Big_Boy_4005]

James, at first it sounded like you caught my video, but after reviewing it, I realized that the fireworks weren't in it, since they weren't installed until after the video was shot. Do you know what layout you saw them on? Home layout or public Display?

I can tell you how mine worked.

There is a micro processor about the size of a deck of cards that controls it. If I remember correctly, it was done using recordable sound chips. Each of the light patterns had it's own sound chip, that way the display could be changed by changing the program.

The whole thing is about 2" thick, and all the lights are inside. By day, it just looks like blue sky.

It was done custom, at considerable expense. I don't think anyone makes anything as large as that with fiber optics.

I still have it, and I don't know what to do with it, as it doesn't fit into my current plans.



The display is a full 4' x 8' , but the fiber optics don't cover the entire sheet. That rectangular hole was where an exit sign, which couldn't be moved, was mounted to the wall.



The arrows in the photo show a couple of the explosion flashes. You can also see the ends of the fibers sticking out through the masonite face.

[Anonymous]

Bill Bramlage's layout, it looks amazing I got a lot of great ideas form this. How much did it cost for all the equipment for yours? You could always send it to me if you don't need it.[:D]

[Big_Boy_4005]

I think it was about $5000, but I never added up all the labor and materials. You could probably build it for less if you knew how, but there's the rub.

It's not something I can just drop in the mail box. I think I'll keep it.[swg]