I am working on a good way to light the saucer windows in a Polar Lights Enterprise refit and what I would like to do is use fiber optic rod. I am sure everyone is familiar with fiber optic cable, but there is also much thicker plastic rod you can buy that does the same basic thing. You can sand or score the sides and where you do, it lights up. It is often used in automotive applications like this:

http://bmwangeleyes.com/

The ones above are cold cathode flourescent, but they also make plastic ones that are lit with LED's on each end, which is what I need.

Problem is, I am having a hard time finding it online or locally. What I am looking for needs to be 5-7mm in diameter and clear, not colored. Anybody know where to pick this up online?

I have boughtin and used thicker acrylic rods that are clear or colored from Plastruct. They had the same light transmission qualities like fiber optics...just a lot thicker. They are however not very flexable as FO.

I found these rods at my local hobbyshop. You can have your LHS order them in or you can get them direct from www.plastruct.com


DLM

Try this. I know this guy and he provides great service. You can also call him and he will give you advice.

http://www.fiberopticproducts.com/

I've got some f/o's coming from plastruct as well as some clear tube for the nacelles.

I've got some f/o's coming from plastruct as well as some clear tube for the nacelles.

I found a good source for generic fiber optic strands over the weekend. At Michael's (a craft store) in the floral section, they have a self contained fiber optic lighting kit for putting in flower arrangements. It has a small battery holder and a round block with the light in it, with the fiber coming out the end. It has 50 strands that are 12 inches long each, so for $6.99 you get 50 feet of fiber.

Our version of radio shack over here has some f/o lamps with hundres of strands in them but they are thinner than .5mm. But I still bought one :p

You can also try "thefiberopticstore.com.

I have decided to go with EL wire from www.fiberopticproducts.com . I ordered 4 feet of 5mm EL wire in white and will run that in a loop around the inside of the saucer to light the windows. Wish me luck that it turns out decent.

Please post pictures.....:wave:

I will when I finally get it. I am a bit concerned that the order went through properly. The page said it did, but I have received no confirmation email and there is no way on the page to check previous order history since they don't require registration to buy.

I am working on a good way to light the saucer windows in a Polar Lights Enterprise refit and what I would like to do is use fiber optic rod. I am sure everyone is familiar with fiber optic cable, but there is also much thicker plastic rod you can buy that does the same basic thing. You can sand or score the sides and where you do, it lights up. It is often used in automotive applications like this:

http://bmwangeleyes.com/

The ones above are cold cathode flourescent, but they also make plastic ones that are lit with LED's on each end, which is what I need.

Problem is, I am having a hard time finding it online or locally. What I am looking for needs to be 5-7mm in diameter and clear, not colored. Anybody know where to pick this up online?

Methinks you will find it much easier to mount LEDs at arious points in the saucer rather than to run fiber optic cable.

I have decided to go with EL wire from www.fiberopticproducts.com . I ordered 4 feet of 5mm EL wire in white and will run that in a loop around the inside of the saucer to light the windows. Wish me luck that it turns out decent.I dont know if it will bright enough, please post your results.

Thanks,
Randy Neubert
VoodooFX
650-568-3400
www.voodoofx.com

I am working on a good way to light the saucer windows in a Polar Lights Enterprise refit and what I would like to do is use fiber optic rod.

It seems to me you may be making things too complicated. I think you will find it easier just to mount CFL or LED lamps inside without the rod.