Caldwell Chrony light upgrade DIY Project

[Redick]

So I have been reading and watching reviews on the Caldwell chronograph and the main issue seems to be the lighting. Well I had a idea to make my own light source and it turned out pretty nice and works awesome. So here is the process I took to make the Caldwell perform flawlessly.

I purchased the 2 LED lights from Walmart for $5 bucks. Harbor Freight sells the same kind also for around same price. I then outlined the LED lights on the sun shades to cut a opening directly over the sensors. (Be sure to tape the sensors so not debris or dirt gets into the sensor cavity.)

Next is to dremel out the shape of the lights to fit and supply the needed lighting for the sensors to read correctly. Go slow on the dremeling the plastic shade material gets hot and soft and will stick if you go to fast. After smoothing the cutout from sharp corners and lumpiness check fitment. 

Here are pictures from start to finish hope you guys find this useful as I did and only cost 5 bucks and some time to make. 

 

[Buckeye]

Great idea

I'm trying to figure out how to do this to my competitive edge Dynamics Chrono.

Thank you

 

[Redick]

Great idea

I'm trying to figure out how to do this to my competitive edge Dynamics Chrono.

Thank you

No problem hope this helps someone..lol

 

[intenseaty22]

So glad you posted this. I have been thinking of a similar project, perhaps a bit more complex, but was a gamble if it didn’t work. Yours working flawlessly tells me I have a decent chance at success. Now all I need is the time to actually do it. Awesome idea, thanks for sharing. 

 

[Redick]

So glad you posted this. I have been thinking of a similar project, perhaps a bit more complex, but was a gamble if it didn’t work. Yours working flawlessly tells me I have a decent chance at success. Now all I need is the time to actually do it. Awesome idea, thanks for sharing.

Wasn't long at all 2hrs and that was me being anal. The lights fit perfectly in the cradle and shines plenty led light down on the sensors. No errors so far

 

[biohazardman]

Not sure about the Caldwell but my Shooting Chrony werqs great with the lights just sitting on top. I can also use a decent sized magnet on top if I want to hang them underneath. Although your werq is far more custom. The .177 test pellet I shot, from my 747 so you could see the readout, bounced back and hit me in the nose. Good thing it was not more powerful.

 

[intenseaty22]

So glad you posted this. I have been thinking of a similar project, perhaps a bit more complex, but was a gamble if it didn’t work. Yours working flawlessly tells me I have a decent chance at success. Now all I need is the time to actually do it. Awesome idea, thanks for sharing.

Wasn't long at all 2hrs and that was me being anal. The lights fit perfectly in the cradle and shines plenty led light down on the sensors. No errors so far

Oh, I get you, but my build may be a little more involved, and I have a lot going on in real life. It's easy to sneak time at home and at work to be a Keyboard Warrior, but need real time to be creative and do real work . Thanks again for the inspiration. Will post mine when able to build it. 

 

[lavahunter]

I like a good project as much as the next guy, but this method has been working for me for years

 

[Redick]

I see great minds think alike!

 

[Quad82]

I have made lights for a few different crony’s over the years. I use the strings of stick-on led lights. You get them in a roll and cut them to the length you want. I use them at my cabin stuck to a mirror and hung upside down. Make great lights and they will run on 5 to 20 volts. Just stick a string on the bottom side of the defusers and wire them into the 9 volt battery that runs the chrony. Pretty simple and they make the chrony portable. 

 

[Guest]

I put those harbor freight led lights under mine with rubber bands it didnt work.

 

[rk68]

The LED strip allows a better measurement, when the light is diffused.
https://youtu.be/zR_P9thANO0?t=150

 

[cea1960]

Not sure about the Caldwell but my Shooting Chrony werqs great with the lights just sitting on top. I can also use a decent sized magnet on top if I want to hang them underneath. Although your werq is far more custom. The .177 test pellet I shot, from my 747 so you could see the readout, bounced back and hit me in the nose. Good thing it was not more powerful.

I have an F1 Master Chrony and I've never been able to use it indoors. I'm giving this a try.

 

[Redick]

Not sure about the Caldwell but my Shooting Chrony werqs great with the lights just sitting on top. I can also use a decent sized magnet on top if I want to hang them underneath. Although your werq is far more custom. The .177 test pellet I shot, from my 747 so you could see the readout, bounced back and hit me in the nose. Good thing it was not more powerful.

I have an F1 Master Chrony and I've never been able to use it indoors. I'm giving this a try.

Report back with your results 

 

[Buckeye]

Didn't work out for mine.

Not sure why

 

[Redick]

Didn't work out for mine.

Not sure why

Make sure your using LEDs 

 

[cwcarrera]

Not sure about the Caldwell but my Shooting Chrony werqs great with the lights just sitting on top. I can also use a decent sized magnet on top if I want to hang them underneath. Although your werq is far more custom. The .177 test pellet I shot, from my 747 so you could see the readout, bounced back and hit me in the nose. Good thing it was not more powerful.

I use EXACTLY the same setup as biohazardman on my Chrony Beta Master and it works flawlessly in my garage with everything from 177 to 25 cal. It doesn't even care if there are other florescent lights on in the garage. Just set the cheap Harbor Freight LED light on top of the diffuser directly above the sensor and it works perfectly.