backlighting question? el wire

[jonnydaz53]

hi all i read on this website http://www.stormloader.com/users/marius/Howtocdu.htm how he used el wire for backlighting. i mailed him and he said
connects this straight to the power supply via a molex connector.

i also understand that an invertor is needed to run this stuff aswell.

what i would like to do is use this like he did with the fmc and connect it to my opencockpits output card.

do you think it is possible? if so how would i do it ie.invertors, resistors etc...

thoughts anyone...

many thanks jonny d

[jonnydaz53]

any idea's anyone???

[rt72]

I don't think EL wire requires anything special in terms of resistors, etc... It's not like LED bulbs.

I think you would just need to supply the correct voltage to a USB output card and hook up the leads to the card.

Don't quote me on that.

[N242AM]

According to this infomation from the manufacturer, EL wire requires 100 volts AC to properly illuminate.

Not something I would be comfortable with around pc boards and components.

http://www.elwire.com/whatis.html

[rt72]

I think the higher voltage comes from the inverter. You would connect the inverter to the output board, supplying the initial low voltage. It seems pretty safe, considering they use it all the time in PC case mod's.

[Michael Carter]

It is safe. As long as you know what you're doing.

[N242AM]

The point being, when working with any type of electricity, you best know what you are doing! Not something to be playing with if unsure.

[vpilot]

How much warmth does such wire produce? It does look like an excellent means of creating a nice and even backlight. But if it gets too warm, I'd reconsider.

[AndyT]

Yes, if you know what you are doing then its safe, but overall, this is not something you want hooked up to USB.
It should be on its own bus with its own circut breakers and switches. You do not want that kind of voltage hooked directly to your computer's ports. There is too much possibility of something getting fried.

[N242AM]

Very true Andy. Also of concern should be inducing hum or noise into the low voltage components. Something high voltage alternating current is very good at doing.

Maybe another product could be found here: http://www.ledtronics.com/Default.aspx

I have replaced a few 12 volt festoon and automotive courtsey light bulbs with their LED replacements.