1.0mm End Glow Fiber Optic Cable
Which fiber to use?
The 1.0mm diameter fiber is ideal for street lamps. This is the one that we incorporate into the Dwarvin lamps. Some customers want to create their own lights, for which this fiber is the most recommended. This size is well suited to N Scale models.
The 1.5mm diameter fiber is the usual first choice in developing your lighting system. This is because it is 2 1/4 times brighter than the 1.0mm diameter fiber and, therefore, typically provides the right lighting for a house on the layout using only one fiber. Larger buildings will require more fibers if all of it is to be lit inside. This size is well suited to both HO and O scale structures.
Smaller fiber sizes are also available providing for applications such as car lights, lighting in trees or others that you can imagine.
We only sell the highest quality of fiber - Mitsubishi ESKA fiber made in Japan. Inferior brands will not be as bright and most importantly, are prone to breaking when bent (once bitten, twice shy!)
How much Fiber?
Many modelers use a 3ft length for each light, sometimes less, sometimes a bit more. For your convenience we stock fibers in 30ft bags.
Changing Light Color:
To change the ambiance / color of a particular fiber, add a drop of translucent paint to the end of the fiber. If you are putting this onto the end of the fiber that is inserted into the Lamplighter, make sure the paint is dry prior to inserting the fiber into the Lamplighter box. See the video on how to do this. To create an old world look, I use the Tamiya X-26 Orange Translucent paint, however, you may use whatever paint you like or even a colored marker.
Connecting Fibers:
To connect two fibers together, use a connector piece and connecting fluid. Whilst Dwarvin has specific products to connect 1.0 and 1.5mm fibers together, this principle can be used for joining this fiber, or several of these fibers together with just one fiber exiting from the fiber connector. Go here to see the process. To see Dwarvin's specific products for joining the 1.0 or 1.5mm fibers, go here.