2 Quick Questions About El Wire

[Hackerbilly]

Can El Wire used to make a neon light display?
And Could you pick it up at a local radioshack for a pretty cheap price?

 

[Mario]

You could make a neon-esque sign, but it won't actually be neon, of course. And RadioShack does not carry it. You have to get it online.

 

[Aux]

EL wire is fun times, but keep in mind it runs off of A/C. If you're using batteries, you'll need an inverter, and use a lot of power.

If you're just making a neon-eqsue sign and using wall power, then I guess those aren't concerns.

And yeah, the only place you can really get it is online.

 

[Hackerbilly]

Thanks For The Help.

 

[samjc3]

and use a lot of power.

lolwat. EL is actually very power efficient. Like 0.002 amps per meter at 200Vac. I dont feel like mathing that out, but thats tiny.

 

[Aux]

and use a lot of power.

lolwat. EL is actually very power efficient. Like 0.002 amps per meter at 200Vac. I dont feel like mathing that out, but thats tiny.

I meant the inverter's gonna draw some base current too on top of your EL wire, and so watch out for that when designing you inverter circuit (or buying an inverter, whatever).

 

[Antome]

Haven't a clue whether sparkfun do the cheapest, but bah, they're sparkfun.

http://www.sparkfun.com/categories/226

Plus, they have 10cm square EL panels.
And they have an EL arduino shield, for fancy flax.