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Machine gun Fibre optics
Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2016 11:55 am
by Spartan tracks
Can anyone recommend a type its for mg on elephant
Re: Machine gun Fibre optics
Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2016 1:15 pm
by Max-U52
Sparty I'm looking for the same thing myself. I have these tiny little LEDs but they still aren't tiny enough to go in the MG-34 on the Stug, so I'm also thinking fiber optics. I'll be watching this closely and if I find anything that will work you'll be the very first to know.
Re: Machine gun Fibre optics
Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2016 2:00 pm
by jtracks
I bought some online after doing a google search. You want the flexible fiber optic. I purchased 1.2mm. Sorry I don't have the name of the company I bought it from.
OK, looked back at some of my purchases and found the name where I bought the flexible fiber optic. It was called LightHouse LED. Hope this helps.
Re: Machine gun Fibre optics
Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2016 3:16 pm
by Ad Lav
I think Welsh dragon does the fibre optics, under leopard 2 I think on the website.
Re: Machine gun Fibre optics
Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2016 2:01 am
by Max-U52
Re: Machine gun Fibre optics
Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2016 4:11 am
by Spartan tracks
Let me no how you get on max,looks a tight fit

!!
Re: Machine gun Fibre optics
Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2016 8:10 am
by silversurfer1947
As I understand it, normal practice was to use the hull MG34 for top mounting, in which case it should have the armoured barrel. However, this has struck me as inefficient. If I were the tank commander, I think I would have "acquired" an extra gun, in which case it would be a standard weapon.
Re: Machine gun Fibre optics
Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2016 11:18 am
by Rocketman
Hi guys
Ive used these loads of times in my Mgs. Ill check thickness at home later but to maximise the brightness you create a lens at the end of the cable. To do this you take the end of your fibre optic cable and hold it against a hot halogen bulb. The end will then flatten out as it melts forming a lens. Timing, needless to say, is everything with this method. It does allow you to use the thinner cable diamater as then lens blows the light out. Feed the non lens end through your gun and attach to your LED inside the body of your tank. You then should repeat the lens method at the other end and stick to your LED . The lense at the other end makes it easier to attach to the LED. You can run all the guns from one bulb. I changed my bulbs to white as the are much more realistic. Ive got the turret and bow MGs on my pershing and Sherman running from one white LED inside the hull.
cable is here after a quick ebay check:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fibre-optic-s ... xyObBTlggN
Re: Machine gun Fibre optics
Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2016 11:33 am
by Max-U52
That's good info, but the cable on that link is 1.5mm and the barrel is only 2.15mm and that's just too close for me. I'm going to try the cable from lighthouse, and I noticed that it says it's end glowing, do you still need the "lens" for that kind of cable? And would a regular incandescent light bulb work? I don't have any halogen bulbs.
Re: Machine gun Fibre optics
Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2016 3:08 pm
by jtracks
Max-U52 wrote:That's good info, but the cable on that link is 1.5mm and the barrel is only 2.15mm and that's just too close for me. I'm going to try the cable from lighthouse, and I noticed that it says it's end glowing, do you still need the "lens" for that kind of cable? And would a regular incandescent light bulb work? I don't have any halogen bulbs.
Gary the end glow fiber optic I bought worked well. I purchased it to use with a Tamiya light kit for my Pershing, it worked very well. I didn't try it with a MG but I don't see why it wouldn't work in that application.