Anyone building/assembling NV? Can I watch and learn?

Site Notices

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Anyone building/assembling NV? Can I watch and learn?

Posted: 1/30/2015 11:33:35 PM EDT

Hi Folks:

I have a keen interest in NV. I have a TNVC PVS-14, but I am fascinated in the inner workings.

Looking for anybody in the WI/MN/IA area (or even a mite farther) than is working on assembling some NV who will let me look over their shoulder and shower them with questions. Interested in about anything, from said assembly to repotting to anything else, I guess.

The threads I have read here are awesome, but I learn best when I can interact and ask questions.

Drop me a PM if you are willing to educate this savage, and I will even supply the adult beverage of your choice!

Thanks!

Posted: 1/31/2015 1:35:41 AM EDT

[#1]

I'm interested in this as well. I have a tnv/pvs-14 and some bnvds and now I want to try to build a pvs-7 for my son to play with and also as an extra loaner setup.

Posted: 1/31/2015 2:54:55 AM EDT

[#2]

Im a relative noob at nv as well, trust me, there is not much to it. Working on pvs14s, there are a couple of tools that come in handy that can be had on ebay for very cheap. One to help with removing the tube and another for removing the lenses. Im a "jump in there and do it" sort of personality, but really i think just about anyone can work on these with very little practice.

Posted: 1/31/2015 3:21:01 AM EDT

[#3]

Assembling night vision is not rocket science. Proper tools and certain tricks that come with experience greatly help. The garage mechanics often strip retaining rings or break pins on the pigtail. Setting the ocular and objective focuses are many times incorrect. Cleaning and keeping it clean is a challenge. None of this is hard but it does require some skill and experience which a video does not provide.

I have had many scopes to fix from folks who thought it was easy. Having worked with some folks who build these all day long I can say it is easy with experience. I can build maybe one an hour if everything is setup and I have proper tools and equipment. TNVC has some techs that can out build me in speed because they do it everyday. Nothing is hard if you know what you are doing and have the proper equipment and tools. I can slam one together in 5 minutes for testing purposes but it will not be to milspec standards.

I have fixed many a scope where skills failed at some point. Most things are easily fixable but sometimes they screw up a tube which is costly ! I build my own but have learned from many a fuck up. Costly fuck ups are the best learning tool ever made ! There is a learning curve that is expensive and mostly unavoidable. Everything in life is simple if you know how to do it. You usually don't pay someone for time unless you are working the deep fryer. Most are paid for what they know or can do. The irony is that takes time...

Posted: 1/31/2015 3:23:28 AM EDT

[#4]

Build your own is always something special, at least to me.

PVS-7 are a just a bit more involved than the PVS-14. I've built both and the 7 has a few more "gotcha" than the 14, which is pretty much a straightforward job.

Is there anything in particular you want to learn as to how to assemble these things?

G.

Posted: 1/31/2015 3:57:53 AM EDT

[#5]

I just watched a YouTube vid. I had bought a gen 2unit, played with it a bit, am hooked, and sold it in search of building a gen 3. Think I want to ditch the goggles and go pvs14 mono though. Either way, the vid makes it look like a cakewalk.

Posted: 1/31/2015 4:02:53 AM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Quoted:
I just watched a YouTube vid. I had bought a gen 2unit, played with it a bit, am hooked, and sold it in search of building a gen 3. Think I want to ditch the goggles and go pvs14 mono thoughEither way, the vid makes it look like a cakewalk.

View Quote

.

They always do.

Posted: 1/31/2015 5:59:35 AM EDT

[#7]

Well,I'm bored at work and it's 22 degrees outside,so lets build a PVS-7B from parts obtainable on Ebay! I have access to about 15 sets of these in various states of repair so I'm not taking apart purged and perfect units to do this. I also do not show the multiple and crazy cleaning and purging steps I would normally take because they are firstly impossible to document and secondly boring as Hell! But this is a quick and dirty how to:

Here is a complete PVS-7 broken down into parts. As commonly searched and bought on Ebay this is a WIRED HOUSING,LENS ASSEMBLY,REAR COVER ASSEMBLY,SCREW SET WITH WASHERS,COLLIMATOR,and IMAGE TUBE. All these are currently available on Ebay under these exact names.

First step is to insert the IR indicator and low battery indicator lamps from the wired housing into the area they fit in the rear cover assembly. They are press fit and will only reach the one they are supposed to go into,so pretty easy.

Next you attach the wired housing and rear cover assembly using the screw set. there should be 10 screws. 8 with small washers and 2 with larger washers. Use the 8 with small washers to attach the front and back assemblies. You are screwing metal into plastic so snug but do not overtighten. The eye pieces on the rear cover slide back and forth. Slide them all the way apart at this step to prepare for the insertion of the collimator. Attach the retention wire for the battery cap as shown in the second picture BEFORE putting the screws in. The third picture shows screws properly in place.

Now you are ready to install the collimator. Insert it into the hole sized to fit it in the front of the wired housing until it is caught by the wings on either side of the collimator. Place these wings in line with the screw holes on either side of the collimator and use the remaining 2 screws with the larger washer to tighten the collimator down,but not too tight until after the next step. First picture shows insertion,second shows proper position.

Next looking through the collimator while the unit is level find a horizonal line about 2' away from the back eye pieces and make sure the line appears to intersect while you are looking through the collimator from the front like in this picture. If it does not turn the collimator slightly until it does. Example in picture. Once the line appears with no breaks tighten the colimator screws all the way.

Next take your image tube and insert it in the housing. There is a line on the side of your image tube that will only allow it to go in one way and will position it where the contacts are in proper position.

Then you screw the lens assembly onto the housing. Screw it in until it will go no further under light hand pressure and then snug it just another little bit. No need to overtighten. Place the rubber eye cups on the rear by simply popping them over the lip of the eyepieces in the rear and assembly is done. Place batteries in the unit and you have a PVS-7B ready to work! Unit will have to be focused for the user at the objective end and the eyepieces but this is the assembly from parts of a PVS-7B.

Posted: 1/31/2015 8:27:08 AM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
Well,I'm bored at work and it's 22 degrees outside,so lets build a PVS-7B from parts obtainable on Ebay! I have access to about 15 sets of these in various states of repair so I'm not taking apart purged and perfect units to do this. I also do not show the multiple and crazy cleaning and purging steps I would normally take because they are firstly impossible to document and secondly boring as Hell! But this is a quick and dirty how to:

Here is a complete PVS-7 broken down into parts. As commonly searched and bought on Ebay this is a WIRED HOUSING,LENS ASSEMBLY,REAR COVER ASSEMBLY,SCREW SET WITH WASHERS,COLLIMATOR,and IMAGE TUBE. All these are currently available on Ebay under these exact names.
<a href="http://s725.photobucket.com/user/trobertson5-0/media/100_1117_zpsa09d74a3.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww259/trobertson5-0/100_1117_zpsa09d74a3.jpg</a>

First step is to insert the IR indicator and low battery indicator lamps from the wired housing into the area they fit in the rear cover assembly. They are press fit and will only reach the one they are supposed to go into,so pretty easy.
<a href="http://s725.photobucket.com/user/trobertson5-0/media/100_1118_zpsb1add541.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww259/trobertson5-0/100_1118_zpsb1add541.jpg</a>

Next you attach the wired housing and rear cover assembly using the screw set. there should be 10 screws. 8 with small washers and 2 with larger washers. Use the 8 with small washers to attach the front and back assemblies. You are screwing metal into plastic so snug but do not overtighten. The eye pieces on the rear cover slide back and forth. Slide them all the way apart at this step to prepare for the insertion of the collimator. Attach the retention wire for the battery cap as shown in the second picture BEFORE putting the screws in. The third picture shows screws properly in place.
<a href="http://s725.photobucket.com/user/trobertson5-0/media/100_1121_zps9f016d00.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww259/trobertson5-0/100_1121_zps9f016d00.jpg</a>
<a href="http://s725.photobucket.com/user/trobertson5-0/media/100_1119_zps4b16168c.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww259/trobertson5-0/100_1119_zps4b16168c.jpg</a>
<a href="http://s725.photobucket.com/user/trobertson5-0/media/100_1122_zpsdd620647.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww259/trobertson5-0/100_1122_zpsdd620647.jpg</a>

Now you are ready to install the collimator. Insert it into the hole sized to fit it in the front of the wired housing until it is caught by the wings on either side of the collimator. Place these wings in line with the screw holes on either side of the collimator and use the remaining 2 screws with the larger washer to tighten the collimator down,but not too tight until after the next step. First picture shows insertion,second shows proper position.
<a href="http://s725.photobucket.com/user/trobertson5-0/media/100_1123_zps34ab2e22.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww259/trobertson5-0/100_1123_zps34ab2e22.jpg</a>
<a href="http://s725.photobucket.com/user/trobertson5-0/media/100_1124_zps421b7c47.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww259/trobertson5-0/100_1124_zps421b7c47.jpg</a>

Next looking through the collimator while the unit is level find a horizonal line about 2' away from the back eye pieces and make sure the line appears to intersect while you are looking through the collimator from the front like in this picture. If it does not turn the collimator slightly until it does. Example in picture. Once the line appears with no breaks tighten the colimator screws all the way.
<a href="http://s725.photobucket.com/user/trobertson5-0/media/100_1128_zps1f262f67.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww259/trobertson5-0/100_1128_zps1f262f67.jpg</a>

Next take your image tube and insert it in the housing. There is a line on the side of your image tube that will only allow it to go in one way and will position it where the contacts are in proper position.
<a href="http://s725.photobucket.com/user/trobertson5-0/media/100_1129_zps8f2c3bed.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww259/trobertson5-0/100_1129_zps8f2c3bed.jpg</a>
<a href="http://s725.photobucket.com/user/trobertson5-0/media/100_1130_zpsf0f1db16.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww259/trobertson5-0/100_1130_zpsf0f1db16.jpg</a>

Then you screw the lens assembly onto the housing. Screw it in until it will go no further under light hand pressure and then snug it just another little bit. No need to overtighten. Place the rubber eye cups on the rear by simply popping them over the lip of the eyepieces in the rear and assembly is done. Place batteries in the unit and you have a PVS-7B ready to work! Unit will have to be focused for the user at the objective end and the eyepieces but this is the assembly from parts of a PVS-7B.
<a href="http://s725.photobucket.com/user/trobertson5-0/media/100_1135_zps881124cd.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww259/trobertson5-0/100_1135_zps881124cd.jpg</a>
<a href="http://s725.photobucket.com/user/trobertson5-0/media/100_1136_zpse9762231.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww259/trobertson5-0/100_1136_zpse9762231.jpg</a>
<a href="http://s725.photobucket.com/user/trobertson5-0/media/100_1132_zps20ed5f2f.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww259/trobertson5-0/100_1132_zps20ed5f2f.jpg</a>
<a href="http://s725.photobucket.com/user/trobertson5-0/media/100_1133_zps75c4f338.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww259/trobertson5-0/100_1133_zps75c4f338.jpg</a>
<a href="http://s725.photobucket.com/user/trobertson5-0/media/100_1134_zpsa9a710f3.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww259/trobertson5-0/100_1134_zpsa9a710f3.jpg</a>

View Quote

great write up and pics , thanks for taking the time

Posted: 1/31/2015 1:13:39 PM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:
Well,I'm bored at work and it's 22 degrees outside,so lets build a PVS-7B from parts obtainable on Ebay! I have access to about 15 sets of these in various states of repair so I'm not taking apart purged and perfect units to do this. I also do not show the multiple and crazy cleaning and purging steps I would normally take because they are firstly impossible to document and secondly boring as Hell! But this is a quick and dirty how to:

Here is a complete PVS-7 broken down into parts. As commonly searched and bought on Ebay this is a WIRED HOUSING,LENS ASSEMBLY,REAR COVER ASSEMBLY,SCREW SET WITH WASHERS,COLLIMATOR,and IMAGE TUBE. All these are currently available on Ebay under these exact names...

View Quote

See, this is what I am talking about! That is an AWESOME write-up. Thanks for posting it. I would have loved to be there to watch and ask questions while you did it, though!

Posted: 1/31/2015 6:39:22 PM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:

See, this is what I am talking about! That is an AWESOME write-up. Thanks for posting it. I would have loved to be there to watch and ask questions while you did it, though!

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Well,I'm bored at work and it's 22 degrees outside,so lets build a PVS-7B from parts obtainable on Ebay! I have access to about 15 sets of these in various states of repair so I'm not taking apart purged and perfect units to do this. I also do not show the multiple and crazy cleaning and purging steps I would normally take because they are firstly impossible to document and secondly boring as Hell! But this is a quick and dirty how to:

Here is a complete PVS-7 broken down into parts. As commonly searched and bought on Ebay this is a WIRED HOUSING,LENS ASSEMBLY,REAR COVER ASSEMBLY,SCREW SET WITH WASHERS,COLLIMATOR,and IMAGE TUBE. All these are currently available on Ebay under these exact names...

See, this is what I am talking about! That is an AWESOME write-up. Thanks for posting it. I would have loved to be there to watch and ask questions while you did it, though!

I would be happy to have you,make it to Virginia often??

If you have any questions please feel free to run them by me and I'll be happy to answer anything I can! TJR

Posted: 2/1/2015 3:18:05 PM EDT

[#11]

IM inbound for advice!

Posted: 2/2/2015 10:28:21 AM EDT

[#12]

Should just skype with someone and have them walk your through the process. I would help but i have no clue how to build them, i just buy them assembled. Honestly my NV just collects dust, wish i lived in the country where i could shoot at night on my own land

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Anyone building/assembling NV? Can I watch and learn?

Armory » NV Tech Talk

Warning

Confirm Action

About AR15.COM

Stay Connected

Newsletter

Contact Us