Hello all;

I was thinking of using EL tape or sheets behind the walls of the flying sub and drilling holes into the 'electronics' as a substitute for fiber optic wiring. Does this sound feasable? I realize the lighting effect may not be as bright or intense, but if the viewing angle is limited I wouldn't want to do it. Also, I know inverters are involved in powering the sheets, but I haven't found a good site that explains the basics of EL.

Any thoughts are appreciated

My Star Fleet flight deck post here used EL Sheet and wire.
http://www.hobbytalk.com/bbs1/showthread.php?t=238399
http://www.twinlitworlds.com/modelwerx/graphics/kits/k021_galileo/images/galileo1.009.jpg

Here's one using El sheet, wire, ribbon and leds
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lyaF_BQA9U&feature=related


And here's an EL Wire overview w/ maybe some ccfls too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhlKbBhJpgk

I thought I had oen showing the el ribbon off, but I guess not... Ribbon has a very weak light compared to wire or sheet. I don't recommend ribbon for anything but something that absolutely needs it.

EL products die off fast. They loose 50% brightness after not very relatively long (100 hours maybe?). Also, in using the stuff, ~75% of all the inverters I used blew out instantly or after an hour or less of use. Not due to user error from what I could tell at the time. Power sources were always at or under the EL's requirements. Can't say what those req's were offhand. But the two models they are now in have been stable since construction. I only run them for a few moments at a time, just to make sure they still function and when ocassionally showing them off.

I'd go with fiber.

Another option would be to build a light box behind the wall and illuminate this with one or 2 bright LEDs. The light reflected this way would be more than an EL sheet.

The floor in this sub is EL. I used fiber in the walls for pin-point lights and ran these back to an array of LEDs that flash in sequence to provide some animation. The reactor walls use a single LED in a light box (one each as I opted for twin reactors). This LED is multi-colored and has a built in chip that cycles through a broad range of colors.

sub sub

Thanks for the videos & info guys. Although EL materials look great in a build, it sounds like I should go with LEDs

With Galileo, there was no other way to get the ceiling light than EL sheet. And it is perfect in many regards.

I'd say get away with leds wherever possible, but EL has it's unique uses that only it can do.

Thanks for the videos & info guys. Although EL materials look great in a build, it sounds like I should go with LEDs

Yes, stay away from EL sheets. Here are some reposted pictures of how I did the floor lighting in my FS. I used surplus LCD backlight units, I got from some websight. They use very small right angle white LEDs, I'll post the link when I get home from work.

Hello all;

I was thinking of using EL tape or sheets behind the walls of the flying sub and drilling holes into the 'electronics' as a substitute for fiber optic wiring. Does this sound feasable? I realize the lighting effect may not be as bright or intense, but if the viewing angle is limited I wouldn't want to do it. Also, I know inverters are involved in powering the sheets, but I haven't found a good site that explains the basics of EL.

Any thoughts are appreciated


I like to take the time to mention depending on which company you buy your EL sheets they tend to differ. Even thou I do sell flat sheet on my site I do use a commercial grade which has a longer life span then some of the ones I have seen on other sites. Granted it does not have the same life span as an LED.

If you use an inverter that is too strong yes it will be brite but you will lose the briteness level at about 5,000 hours. now if if you go at 20% on power it will be less intense still an even effect remember a little goes along way,but now your talking about 25,000 to 30,000.

I have the EL panels so you give ambient lighting. Plus it can be cut to shape for those unique area to light. So if you want to use it as a night light I would go for LED's.

If you like PM me and I can send you the light chart that I have so you can see at different power levels what intensity you get.

Gil

(OT- Gil, sorry it took me so long, but I finally sent those items to you in the mail Saturday the 25th.)

As for EL sheets, I readily concur that if you want a smooth, ambient light, you can't go wrong with those. :thumbsup:

thanks telslabe, I look forward to the link. Those panels you are using may be what I need.

thanks telslabe, I look forward to the link. Those panels you are using may be what I need.

http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8842

Here you go, sorry about the delay. There are some mods you need to make,
like remove the metel frame, cut the ends at an angel and some other things.
LCD backlight assemblies use a series of filter and reflective sheets too maxamize the LED's light transfer and uniformity accross it's surface, so you need to be sure you put them back on the unit in the same order. I just made boxies on a sheet of paper with the order I took them out. I have photos of the mod and would be happy to send them to you in a E-Mail. You can't send photos throught the groups PM's. Just send me a PM with your E-Mail adderss and I get the photos right off to you. It takes a little work, about 30min per, but when your done they are very thin and look great in the sub.;)

Hi

We sell EL products and LED products and we are moving more and more towards LED products.

I came across these posts and would like to suggest our Nu World LED Light panel as a possible solution.

We can custom make these in virtually any shape or size up to 4' X 8'.

These panels are made in Canada and are rated at 50000 to 100000 hrs life span with a two year warranty.

Email me if you would like more info

Cheers

Mathew

Thanks for the heads up, Matthew. Is there a web site as well?

Yes , I will follow up in the next post.

Hi

The link to the LED Light Panel is as follows:

http://www.nu-worlddistribution.com/products-nuworld.php

Thanks for your interest

Regards

Mathew Barlett