Starlight Fibre Optic Lamp not working properly?

Question

http://www.shop-com.co.uk/Starlight_Fibre_Optic_Lamp-49457920-p!.shtml

I received one of these as a gift, but only the tips of the fibres light up. Is there anything I can do to fix this?

Answer 1

That's how it's supposed to work.

The first picture of "what it's supposed to do" is probably a fake.  Your picture is how these lamps work.  Their novelty is that the light is seen only at the ends.

However, I'm puzzled that your fibers look black on the photo.  Is this the way they actually are?

(It is possible to obtain close to what is shown if the fibers are plastic without a cladding.  If the fibers are roughed up a bit then light will escape along the length of the fiber.  However, this is not usually done.  You can always check with the supplier, reminding them of the Truth in Advertising act in Britain.)