EL Tape Usage

bostonkiter · 11-15-2012, 09:47 AM

I've been researching the feasibility of using EL tape for a night rig. It's certainly more expensive than LEDs, but the end result will likely be amazing. Is there anyone with EL experience with this?

kavic5150 · 11-15-2012, 07:16 PM

I've worked with it, fun stuff. The big hurdle is getting a driver that has a high enough frequency. I dont have a meter to measure, but the ones I'm using are rated for 2000hz. The higher the better up to a point.

El wires and el panels are capacitors, they get brighter the more you raise their AC supply voltage/frequency, but only up to a point. I understand that changing the frequency does alter the color output but only slightly.

Heres a good thread on the subject: http://helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=403394

Be careful working with the stuff, it can give a nasty little shock. Ask me how I know.

I just wish I had a source for those little press to fit connectors. Allelectronics.com used to include them with el strips, but last time I checked they only had small el panels.

Timtreo · 11-16-2012, 03:10 AM

Here is the DX7 I got from you bostonk with an EL panel with a on/off toggle switch. A heli all done up with EL panels and strips would look pretty cool.
Right on Kavic about the shocks

, woke me up a little

. The inverter I used was pretty big, I had to really cram it in there but nothing a heli couldn't carry. I got the panel from Glowhut but yeah I don't think they sell the panel/strip connectors either. I have a big piece left over from what I cut for the Tx that I would like to use on something but know idea how to power it without some kind of connector plug?

kavic5150 · 11-16-2012, 11:05 AM

Heres some of the best off the shelf drivers that I know of.

http://www.glowire.com/drivers.htm

If you can manage a 9v power supply the F2 driver is ideal. Without too much trouble it can be de-shelled and will easily power a canopy striped up with el ribbon. For anything larger than a 450 you might want to use 2. I'm thinking a small 3s LiFe pack would be perfect for the job. The F2 driver will handle a bit of over voltage, I cranked mine up to 11.5v once. The panels did get a bit brighter.

Remember to never power up an el driver without an el wire/panel attached, it will fry rather quickly.

Also look out for any driver than has been potted (filled with plastic resin). They are bulky and add too much weight IMHO.

11-15-2012, 09:47 AM	#1
bostonkiter Registered Users Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: south boston	EL Tape Usage I've been researching the feasibility of using EL tape for a night rig. It's certainly more expensive than LEDs, but the end result will likely be amazing. Is there anyone with EL experience with this? __________________ Goblin 700, Blade MSR. BK-117C, Sikorsky S76 C++ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

11-15-2012, 07:16 PM	#2
kavic5150 Registered Users Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: US, east coast	I've worked with it, fun stuff. The big hurdle is getting a driver that has a high enough frequency. I dont have a meter to measure, but the ones I'm using are rated for 2000hz. The higher the better up to a point. El wires and el panels are capacitors, they get brighter the more you raise their AC supply voltage/frequency, but only up to a point. I understand that changing the frequency does alter the color output but only slightly. Heres a good thread on the subject: http://helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=403394 Be careful working with the stuff, it can give a nasty little shock. Ask me how I know. I just wish I had a source for those little press to fit connectors. Allelectronics.com used to include them with el strips, but last time I checked they only had small el panels. __________________ Hoss X4e 6s, Gaui 550, Protos 500 12s, Losi Speed-T. Save the flybar !!

11-16-2012, 03:10 AM	#3
Timtreo Registered Users Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Pennsylvania Warminster	Here is the DX7 I got from you bostonk with an EL panel with a on/off toggle switch. A heli all done up with EL panels and strips would look pretty cool. Right on Kavic about the shocks , woke me up a little . The inverter I used was pretty big, I had to really cram it in there but nothing a heli couldn't carry. I got the panel from Glowhut but yeah I don't think they sell the panel/strip connectors either. I have a big piece left over from what I cut for the Tx that I would like to use on something but know idea how to power it without some kind of connector plug? Attached Thumbnails __________________ Check out my Night Blades Blog here on HF

11-16-2012, 11:05 AM	#4
kavic5150 Registered Users Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: US, east coast	Heres some of the best off the shelf drivers that I know of. http://www.glowire.com/drivers.htm If you can manage a 9v power supply the F2 driver is ideal. Without too much trouble it can be de-shelled and will easily power a canopy striped up with el ribbon. For anything larger than a 450 you might want to use 2. I'm thinking a small 3s LiFe pack would be perfect for the job. The F2 driver will handle a bit of over voltage, I cranked mine up to 11.5v once. The panels did get a bit brighter. Remember to never power up an el driver without an el wire/panel attached, it will fry rather quickly. Also look out for any driver than has been potted (filled with plastic resin). They are bulky and add too much weight IMHO. __________________ Hoss X4e 6s, Gaui 550, Protos 500 12s, Losi Speed-T. Save the flybar !!

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