LumiDesk!

[Bibin]

So I got fed up with typing in the pitch-black dark late at night with nothing to help me see the keyboard (not that I can't touchtype, but sometimes the F keys evade me), so I purchased a $12 Electroluminescent Panel set to make a light for my keyboard.

Here's the panel:

I split it into two 2.5" x 6" strips, since EL panels can be cut however you wish, and put them on the underside of my desk.

Here's the final result:

Off:

On:

I like it!

 

[eurddrue]

Now that, is awesome. Is it on the actual desk? It appears to be on the keyboard itself. Why is it named the LumiDesk?

 

[Bibin]

Now that, is awesome. Is it on the actual desk? It appears to be on the keyboard itself. Why is it named the LumiDesk?

It is a set of EL panels taped to my desk. Hold on, taking more pics is now.

 

[XCVG]

Where did you get those panels? I WANT SOME NAUGHW!

Anyway, nice job.

 

[DK]

Nice idea. Another one would have been to buy a keyboard which has keys that illuminate fully (designed for late night gaming).

That'd be too easy though

 

[qerkdtx]

Yah wheres the fun in that project Bacteria?

 

[Bibin]

Nice idea. Another one would have been to buy a keyboard which has keys that illuminate fully (designed for late night gaming).

The thing is, the keyboard I have is one that I love the feel of, and it has a better layout than the gaming keyboards I've seen.

Those cost way more than 12 dollars, too. Besides, they are all made for Windows usually, so they aren't of much use.

 

[Bibin]

Fair enough. How about luminous paint for the letters on the keyboard?

The issue is that luminous paint is not bright at all, and does not last long after a charge. On top of that, that would require actually modifying my keyboard, and if I got a new one, I'd have to paint it again.

 

[samjc3]

where did you get the el panel, and what kind of power usage does it have? :huh:

 

[Bibin]

It runs off of 12V DC at about 400 mA. I will be using some of this stuff running off of 3VDC at ~100mA for a backlight some time soon. I already posted teaser pics I believe.

 

[samjc3]

It runs off of 12V DC at about 400 mA. I will be using some of this stuff running off of 3VDC at ~100mA for a backlight some time soon. I already posted teaser pics I believe.

oohh!! dowantdowantdowant! how big can you get em?

 

[Basement_Modder]

I think this looks great! Horay for mac keyboards!

 

[Caredo]

What do you have this running off of?

 

[Basement_Modder]

I would imagine a 12v 400mA DC adapter.

 

[Caredo]

I would imagine a 12v 400mA DC adapter.

Oh, hey, sarcasm!

I meant the source. I can't see Bibin wasting a power outlet on this.

 

[Basement_Modder]

I would imagine a 12v 400mA DC adapter.

Oh, hey, sarcasm!

I meant the source. I can't see Bibin wasting a power outlet on this.

I didn't intend sarcasm. If not an outlet, then I'm not sure what. I think it may be an outlet, though. After all, there are plenty of outlets around a desk.

 

[Bibin]

I have like ~50 outlets, split among three power lines, so it didn't hurt to take away one outlet.

Setup:

Outlet 120VAC @ 60hz --> AC to DC transformer, putting out 12VDC @ 400mA --> DC to AC inverter, putting out 120VAC @ 1800mhz

You can run it off of direct house voltage, but it will be very dim due to the low frequency.

 

[grossaffe]

it runs off AC electricity? Interesting.

edit: also, would running it through a transformer be of any use to you in getting better brightness rather than converting to DC and then back to AC?

 

[Bibin]

The voltage, and likely current, are constant in brightness. It's like some kinds of LEDs, where it is made brighter by upping the frequency.

 

[grossaffe]

I see. Perhaps an LC circuit would help? angular frequency = 1/sqrt(LC)
L = inductance
C = capacitance

I'd have to refresh myself on my physics, though. I can' remember if and how these circuits are used to alter Alternating Currents, we may have dealt with them only with turning Direct Currents into Alternating Currents.