FLUORESCENT LIGHTS
CE-3 and other optical chronographs
 do not work under direct or indirect fluorescent light.

PLEASE NOTE
We are only providing a suggestion on how to make indoor light fixture
for optical chronograph. We are not responsible for any damages that may
result from building or using such light fixture.  It is your responsibility to make
sure that it is safe for you  and others who may use it. You are dealing with
110 volts AC power line, therefore,  if you are not familiar with the safety
in making such setup, you should then check with a licensed electrician
 and follow his or hers advise.

There are at least six ways to setup indoor light fixture for an optical chronograph.
Chronographs with poor sensitivity may not work with indirect light setup.

• Custom Light Fixture that fits over the chronograph (Direct Light).

• Indirect Light reflecting off a White Ceiling.

• Indirect Light reflecting off 45-Degree Bristle Board.

• Single 60-Watt Light Bulb over normal diffusers (Direct Light).

• Two 25 Watt Light Bulbs over normal diffusers (Direct Light).

• Red Spectrum for High Accuracy and Repeatability Setup (Direct Light).

Indoor light fixtures sold by most chronograph manufactures mount directly over
the chronograph. In general, the fixture is mounted about 12 inches over the optical
slots and is supported by aiming rods.  As you move the chronograph farther from
the firearm you also increase the probability for shooting it.  This kind of setup
will obstructs your target view and may not be entirely safe.

We recommend that you invest some time and make your own setup, that has
a lower probability of being shot and does not abstract the target.  In most cases,
your own setup will cost less then the manufacturers fixture.

                             Custom Light Fixture                               

Manufacturers Custom Light Fixture

This is a typical Indoor Light fixture sold by many chronograph manufactures.
The one on this picture is our Light Fixture, which we do no sell because we
consider it unsafe and easy to shoot.  We are planning to introduce a solid state
light fixture - something that is electrically safe.
 

                              White Ceiling Setup                               

Indirect Light off the White Ceiling

For this, you need 2 floodlights, with minimum of 100W each or 75 Watts for halogen
bulbs. These reflectors have to point up, into a white ceiling, so that the bright spot
is right above the chronograph. The ceiling can not be more than 6 feet from
the chronograph. Also, the ceiling should be very white.  If it is not, staple a white
bristle board on it, just above the chronograph . This set up will also work with a single
150 watt floodlight or a 100 Watts halogen floodlight.
This setup may not be suitable if you have fluorescent lights in the room.

                             45-Degree Bristle Board                           

Indirect Light off White Bristle Board

A bristle board is mounted at 30 to 45 Degree angle above the the chronograph.
The distance from the chronograph to the bristle board should be about 2 feet.
This give you plenty of shooting clearance.  Two 50-60 Watts reflector bulbs are
mounted in such way as to illuminate the spot  right above the sensors.
You can also use 2 - 100 Watt  reflectors connected in series to get 25-Watt.
This is just an example on how to make a light fixture with big clearance
and unobstructed view of the target.
This fixture is good if you have fluorescent lights in the room.

 

                     60-Watt Light Bulb                    

Single 60-Watt Bulb

This is one of the simplest indoor light fixture to make, It is also one of the cheapest.
You just purchase a $9.00 Desk lamp with a flexible arms and use a 60 Watt bulb
to illuminate CE-3 Diffusers.  Use clear and  not frosted light bulb, frosted light bulbs
have reduced efficiency. The best would be a halogen light bulb with 60-Watts
equivalent luminescence. Please note some of desk lamps allow a maximum
of 60-Watts.

Please note, diffusers supplied by many chronograph manufactures may not work
with this method because you need diffusers that act as a light collectors, such as
ours.

Move the Lamp so that the bulb is about 2-feet above the chronograph and right
in the center of the two sensors. This places the bulb out of the shooting zone.
Unfortunately you can still shoot diffusers and the aiming rods.

This set up may not be suitable if you have fluorescent lights in the room
 

                  25 Watt Light Bulbs                  

Two 25-Watt Bulbs with Diffusers

This is also a very simple setup that gives you a big clearance for safe shooting.
You need to purchase two $9.00 Desk lamp with a flexible arms. Install 25 Watts
frosted light bulb in each.

Mount lamps on the edge of the table and move the bulbs 2-feet above the sensors.
With this lighting you can get away without using diffusers, see setup below.
This setup is still susceptible to external light interference.

This set up may not be suitable if you have fluorescent lights in the room.
 

Two 25-Watt Bulbs without Diffusers

This is the same setup as above, except you do not need diffusers. For best results,
use,  "Frosted-White-Globe" the big round balls, and not the ordinary light bulbs.
With this setup you get exceptionally large clearance, just make sure that the each
lamp is right above the optical slot. Use aiming rods to help you align these lamps.
The bulbs should not exceed 50 Watts.

This set up may not be suitable if you have fluorescent lights in the room.

 

                 High Accuracy and Repeatability Setup                   
This setup is recommended for serious chronograph work. It provides
reddish light, suitable for high accuracy work. You also get repeatable result.

Items that you need to purchase

Parts that you will need

This setup requires that two incandescent lights be connected in series. Series
connection means that individual bulb runs on 110/2=55 Volts. This generates
reddish  light (red spectrum), this is where sensors have higher sensitivity.  Also,
lack of bright light reduces glare. When these lights are connected in series,
the power consumed is reduce to 1/4 of its original value. The actual luminescence
is reduce even further.  The life span of these bulbs probably increases by a factor
of 10 or more.

Here is the list of all the item that you will need to purchase,

1. 2 - Desk Lamps,  made of metal and painted black.
   Lamp Shade must be 7 Inches in diameter (+/-1 inch).
   Some, "Made in China", lamps require  fixing - screws must be added
   to prevent Shades from falling. Drill a tiny hole where the indentations are
   and drive short screws into these holes.

2. 6 - Foot Extension with Ground wire and a Plug with Ground prong.

3. 1 - Receptacle with ground.
   Make sure it has a circuit-isolation brake-off strip,  see picture below.
   Most receptacles come with this option - even the cheapest once.

4. 1 - Duplex Receptacle Cover (Metal).

5. 1 - Electrical Box - Surface mount type (Metal).  

6. 1 - Cable Connector - Strait (Metal). The type used for Romex wire.

7. 2 - Light bulbs (appliance type), 60-Watts small size, clear not frosted.

Here is the suggested method of making a series-connected receptacle.
Receptacles come with an option whereby you can isolate circuits on each side.
There is a tiny metal strip on each side that can be broken off. You only brake off
one, it is the one on the "Hot" wire side (the side where receptacle hole is the shortest).
This is on the apposite side of where the ground screw is. Use a pair of needle-nose
pliers to brake off the metal strip. Brake this strip as shown below.

Receptacle Circuit Isolation Brake Away

Assemble all the parts and connect  as shown below. Do not forget to connect
the ground wire to the receptacle. Both the neutral and hot wire of the plug & cable
assembly are connected where you broke off the metal strip. Do not forget to install
Connector and thread the cable through it, before you connect the wires. To make
the assembly durable, you should get a 3" piece of rubber hose and use it as a strain
relief for the cable. The pliers show you where you broke off the metal strip. Do not
connect anything to the other side,  "The Neutral", just tightened those unused screws.
If you are using cable with stranded copper wire, then you have to twist the strands
together and fill it with solder, This will prevent fraying and possible crossover shorts.
The green wire, as shown below, is the ground wire that you must connect to
ground screw.

Connection and Parts Essabley

Once done, have your a licensed electrician examine your work. If your electrician
approves of your work than  screw receptacle into the box and cover it with the
receptacle cover. Your final result should look, more or less, like the picture below.
 

DO NOT USE THIS FOR ANY OTHER APPLIANCE
EXCEPT FOR YOUR CHRONOGRAPH  LIGHT FIXTURE.

Final Serial-Connection Recepticle

Now you are ready to setup light fixture.  With some models we ship a "Special
Indoor Light Diffusers" for such light fixture. These diffusers require that the lamp
shade is 7 inches in diameter (+/- 1 Inch). These diffusers shield the chronograph from
the fluorescent lights and disperse the light evenly over the sensors. The gaping holes on both sides of the white material are necessary for ventilation. Here is picture of
the two diffusers, one packed and one unfolded,

Special Indoor Light Diffusers

This diffuser assembly is made of Paper & Plastic and it mounts 3 inches from
the bulb. "Do Not Use" bulbs that generate more then 30 Watts of power per
Lamp Shade. With a Serial-Connection Receptacle, you must make sure that
both lamps have "Identical Bulbs". With identical bulbs the power of each bulb
is reduced by a factor of 4, a 60 Watt bulb will generate 15 Watts power.

Setup your fixture as show below, use aiming rods to help you align these lamps,
they must be right over the optical slots. Move the lamps 18-inches above the sensors.
If you move lamps higher then 18-inches, you will then have to extend the black paper
to increase fluorescent lights shield.

Fianal Setup

Use a piece of wood or tape to mark where the chronograph sits. You need
to consistently place the chronograph on the same spot. After it is setup, you
no longer need aiming rods. The Indoor Diffusers have fold up edge that need
to be folded Up. These flaps block any light shining back at your aiming sights.

Indoor Light Diffusers - Front View

Indoor Light Diffusers - Back View

Indoor Light Diffusers - Side View

Please note: 
 
   - For consistent, accurate and repeatable results, it is very important
     that you align each the bulb in the center of the optical slot.

   - Both On/Off switches on the Lamps must be turned On.
     Any one of the two Lamp's On/Off switches can be used to
     turn off both lamps.

If you need more information on indoor setup please do not hesitate to contact us
at ce@echrony.com or click here - Contact Us