fiber optic lighting how to

[evilone]

Ok so i have seen people use L.E.Ds for lighting their models and always wondered how to light up placec that are hard to fit a L.E.D in. So after a visit to wal-mart i found the answer via fiber optics. Heres how i place fiber optic lighting into a build.

the tools:

Step 1:

drill holes in the area you want the optics to be placed. The holes should be just big enough to fit just one optic. Then glue the optic(s) in place. You may have to use a piece of tape to hold the optic(s) inplace while you place more or while the glue dries.

step 2:

Test the optic or optics for proper operation. You can use a regular flash light or the L.E.D your planning to use for the test.

[evilone]

step 3:

Cut down small styrene pieces and make a block to hold the L.E.D in then drill a hole for the L.E.D to fit (you can cut the sides of the block flat with a saw if you choose to for a level fit).Make sure the L.E.D's bottom (where the soldering points come out of) is level with the styrene block.

step 4:

you need to paint fuel tank or the block black to avoid the light from showing through he plastic as pictured.

[evilone]

heres the fuel tank painted black on the inside.

[evilone]

step 5:

cut and trim the optic to fit in the area that the L.E.D will fit. Then glue them into the styrene block. Be careful if you move the optics too much they will break so keep the movements to a minimum.

Step 6:

solder postive and negative leads to the L.E.D and start your circuit. you can do a positive side switch (red leads to switch while black lead goes from L.E.D to baTTERY) or negative side switch (black leads to switch while red lead goes from L.E.D to battery)

mine is a postive side switch as pictured

step 7:

Make it all fit in the area you want. You can put the batteries anywhere you want or you can keep it in one area like mine.

[evilone]

step 8:

The most important step of all.

Listen to your favorite music whileyou do all the past steps or the end product may suck.

Step 9:

test everything and enjoy your hard work

[evilone]

You can use this tool as headlights as pictured or for fine details such as amp power lighting as pictured

the ideas are endless.

[stewart]

Thanks for the tutorial. There is one thing I would like to know though. Where did the fiber optics come from? I have heard that you can use christmas trees and such. Where did you get yours?

STewart

[evilone]

Thanks for the tutorial. There is one thing I would like to know though. Where did the fiber optics come from? I have heard that you can use christmas trees and such. Where did you get yours?

STewart

i got mine outta this like little decorative thing. its like a globe of fiberoptics.

heres a site that has what i used minus the flashing part

http://2ols.com/item_12554_456905237-Fiber-Optic-Party-Centerpieces-SKU-NO-10687.htm

[jsimmons]

Can you please arrange to take better pictures. It's almost impossible to see what you're doing.

[made007]

thanks bro definetly going to try this, can you take a better pic of the lighting range? thanks again

[allparish12]

I think i got the gist of this tutorial, but it would have been nicer if there were some better quality photos...