EL wire

[Jeffrek]

El wire is powered by a driver. Its a small bit of electronics that boosts the low battery dc voltage to a high (100+v AC voltage). Now the size of the driver depends on how much EL material you need to light up. More wire = bigger driver. Small EL surfaces like watch displays use VERY small drivers.

Drivers themselves dont cost alot, a few dollars really. They are also available to run from various different voltages, 3v 9v and 12v being the most common.

Just be careful wiring the driver output to the wire itself, make sure its properly insulated especially if its got any possibility of touching a conducting surface as alot of drivers can generate 400v. It wont kill you but it will sting. Most small driver wil drive around 6-12ft easily, next size up around 40ft. After that your looking at bigger units usually mains powered to drive long lengths as used in building etc.

I wired up a long coat with green EL wire along the hems and sleeves a couple of years back during my clubbing days with the batteries and driver in the pocket. Certainly attention grabbing in a dark club

edit - forgot your other question, EL wire and sheet do not produce heat.

[Leda EmBorr]

neophyl said:

Just be careful wiring the driver output to the wire itself, make sure its properly insulated especially if its got any possibility of touching a conducting surface as alot of drivers can generate 400v. It wont kill you but it will sting.

I can vouch for the sting! I had a plastic tip come off of a small saber that used el wire and I rested my chin on the bare end of the blade, accidentally!

[Jeffrek]

You dont need to cover the main part of the wire itself, just the 2 ends. Its more a case of not zapping yourself lol.

[Ldi-Ovef Te_Azi]

thats a cool idea, i would like to see pictures of that.

[Olos Nay]

Tron costume?