Muzzle flash LED test

[Gerhard Michel]

Hello,

I would like to show you my test clip for a muzzle flash. I intended to get a bright flash with a slow quenching. This is reachable using an adequate capacitor which is pre-loaded before shooting to avoid strong currents through the electronic. Triggering and cutting (at the end) are made by relays, controlled by the shooting command (sound module). At this time I still experimented with the lighting period.




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[Adrian Harris]

Looks very good Gerhard

What power of LED are you using ?

Adrian.

[Sam Hough]

Indeed. I'm interested too as this bit is next on my todo list. I was just going to try darlington power amplifier.

[Gerhard Michel]

Hello together,

unfortunately my solution is already about 2 years old, and I cannot find the used LED again at my vendors. But I know it was a Luxeon StarHex LED with 1.6 watts in "amber". But I mean "yellow" or "warm white" would also fit; especially "warm white" with 3 or 5 watts.

Meanwhile I can say that the flash is visible also at bright weather conditions, looking at the front of the muzzle. Special cooling of the LED is not necessary.

[Sam Hough]

Hmmm. I've got 3 * 80mW. Might have to upgrade before even installed!

Picking one at random http://www.luxeonstar.com/cool-white-56 ... -led-235lm it takes up to 1A !?

[Adrian Harris]

The 5mm LEDs I used for the standard Armortek muzzle flash were 20,000mcd, which take about 50mA. Even 100,000mcd only take 70mA.

Check the bore through the barrel, as 88mm in 1/6th is 14.66mm, so you may find the bore is a standard 1/2" (12.7mm). Difficult to fit a 20mm diameter LED unless you take a whole load of material out of the muzzle brake.

Also consider the viewing angle. I think these muzzle flash units look best on guns with muzzle brakes, so that the LED is in the end of the barrel and reflects off the inside faces of the muzzle brake. To do that you need a reasonable viewing angle. 15deg LEDs will just push the light out of the end of the barrel like a LASER.

Adrian.

[Gerhard Michel]

Well, these LEDs are also available in the type "emitter" instead of "star hex". Then the LED has only 7 mm core diameter (without pins) and fits propery to a bore in 1/6 scale.

My LED is used in the muzzle brake of an older BT King Tiger. There is space enough for a 20 mm LED ("star hex" type). In this position it lights the whole muzzle brake (no "laser" effect), but it is visible when looking from the side into the muzzle brake. The position is adjustable and a deeper impact is also possible. Here a pic:

[Sam Hough]

Thanks for sharing. I'll at least put in powerful enough electronics to drive one of these things.

http://uk.farnell.com/broadcom-limited/ ... dp/1718394
Is 3w and 4mm * 3mm * 2mm so should fit nicely.

[Gerhard Michel]

Yes, an nice flashing solution!

Here my "circuit diagram" I use the 5 volts receiver voltage and some diodes to reduce it to the necessary LED power. A resistor "R" pre-loads a capacitor with moderate current. It powers the LED when activated by the relay. Resistor and capacitor may vary freely due to the used LED. The relay is triggered by the sound module.

[Sam Hough]

Thanks,

The resistor and cap is a nice way to avoid inrush current and get the effect you are after.

I need to rewire mine a bit as I've routed the 5V supply for the turret servos too long as it is.

Cheers

Sam

[Sam Hough]

Hi,

I finally got around to buying an LED. Picture attached. I can't believe how small and bright it is!

It is on 3.5mm x 3.5mm and draw 1.5A at 3V... Not tested how hot it gets yet.

Got to do control circuit next

Cheers

Sam