just a thought...

[blimp]

As the High tension flash has it's own dedicated circuitry , I'd agree , the trigger is 4.5v - the Xenon bulb is something else as it is fed directly by the battery+capacitor ! ( the HL higtension flash bulb doesn't work too well in a tube anyway - it's best suited for a muzzle brake ) L.E.D.s are fine .

[MichaelC]

Okay, I will give it a try with my SU-152 since it is the easiest to get access to right now as the IR emitter is mounted outside, and the muzzle brake is large enough to just have the IR Emitter and the High Intensity flash unit sitting side by side. Hopefully nothing goes up in smoke. In terms of timing, does the flash happen at the same time as the IR signal firing ? If it does I would worry more, if it doesn't then I think we are probably okay.

It makes much more sense that the IR is in front of the flash. I am just wondering how much the flash is diminished, given that he stock HL flash is not the brightest to begin with. The challenge really is just for the non muzzle brake barrels like KVs, SU-85/100's and JTs.

[Tankbear]

The IR fires slightly after the flash. So that helps.

[MichaelC]

Okay so I just did a quick experiment since I know my SU-152 has extra long wires for the IR and it is mounted externaly in one of the periscopes. I just rip it out and stuck it into the muzzle brake. I know this is not the same as having the wires running thru the barrel with the high intensity flash but the IR bulb is sitting side by side with the high intensity flash and it works ! I have not problem with the IR signal and the flash didn't kill the IR bulb or the circuitry.

I will try to retrofit this properly tonight and put the periscope back on as well....... But this is amazing. That means I can put all the IRs in the barrel with muzzle brakes which is the bulk of my collection. I will have to put some black tubing around the IR so that it doesn't spray sideways out the muzzle brake. Thank you all for your input !

[Tankbear]

Great. Glad if worked with out any issues.

[MichaelC]

Everything is working now. The high intensity flash is actually a little skinny than the stock HL flash LED and I managed to fit everything in the huge SU-152 muzzle brake. I might have to file down the IR for the smaller muzzle brakes to make them fit, or try placing the IR slightly in front or behind the flash. I would have to play with the placement to see what works. In order to reduce the spray from the side I have also put the IR in a heat shrink tube and basically reduced the opening to about 3mm and about 10mm from the tip of the LED to reduce the spray to a reasonable angle. I have not tried to see how much it reduce the straight line performance.

How much can you file down the IR without wrecking it ? I assume as long as you don't hit "bones" (i.e. lead) then you should be okay, right ? Is the IR vaccum inside ?

[Tankbear]

Yes can file down the IR emitter it is solid. Plastic and as long as don't go near the metal bits will still work just be carefully to make sure front is smooth otherwise will refract the IR off at angles and less forward.

Ian.