Phetishboy
Well-known member
And can you hook it to an AC adapter? Batteries die on EL wire quickly.
Tron recognizer El wire signs
- Thread starter DPtwiz
- Start date
cspacefan
New member
So I have no idea about these sequencers/controllers and EL wire signs, how easy are they to hook up?
Do I just plug one of these gizmos you guys have mentioned to the sign that DPtwiz is building and it's done?
Do the EL wires need a separate power supply?
And Phetishboy says EL wires drain batteries pretty quick, how quick would you estimate this Recognizer sign would drain? An hour? Four hours? A day?
I have many questions.
Do I just plug one of these gizmos you guys have mentioned to the sign that DPtwiz is building and it's done?
Do the EL wires need a separate power supply?
And Phetishboy says EL wires drain batteries pretty quick, how quick would you estimate this Recognizer sign would drain? An hour? Four hours? A day?
I have many questions.
cspacefan
New member
Bump ... Anyone?
mine came in last night. I'm not an expert on EL wire, but i do know how to use google.
To achieve the sequencing like the original had, you'll need to either purchase a sequencer, or make one of your own. I haven't ordered parts yet, but i have found out how to use a 4017 and 555 timer to make a sequencer that i can use to drive relays (or maybe darlington transistors) to make the light light up.
As far as power goes, you can get the drivers in either ac or dc. My plan was to use a wall wart to power a dc version.
There's approximately 60' of wire in the sign, but you'll only be turning on roughly 1/3 of that (average) at a time if you sequence it.
There's a ton of info out there. Google it and you'll find what you seek.
To achieve the sequencing like the original had, you'll need to either purchase a sequencer, or make one of your own. I haven't ordered parts yet, but i have found out how to use a 4017 and 555 timer to make a sequencer that i can use to drive relays (or maybe darlington transistors) to make the light light up.
As far as power goes, you can get the drivers in either ac or dc. My plan was to use a wall wart to power a dc version.
There's approximately 60' of wire in the sign, but you'll only be turning on roughly 1/3 of that (average) at a time if you sequence it.
There's a ton of info out there. Google it and you'll find what you seek.
cspacefan
New member
Thanks for the reply cdjump, although one of my questions was how long the sign would last on batteries and I am doubtful Google will have that answer. Assuming you hook yours up to batteries, can you let me know how long they last?
Do you have any details on how you made that mural? E.g. Which parts are EL wire, how you made those big discs, what is the grid painted with, etc?I've worked with it a bit as well. Not making signs but making my game room mural. I'm working on my first sign with some of the EL tape. It's pretty easy to work with.
Tom
That is pretty darn slick .. I was thinking of doing a similar scheme in my gameroom (grid, light cycles, and those lit-up PCB-esque lines they have throughout the film).
LeChuck
sosage
Well-known member
You know what would peak a lot of interest...figuring out an EL wire add-on for non-LE Tron pinball owners. Just a random thought.
Phet:
Do you have pics of these things in full light?
I'd like to get an idea of what the wood cutouts look like with game room lights on...
Are they chunky and obtrusive, or do they look as good powered off in the daytime as they do lighted with the game room lights off?
Do you have pics of these things in full light?
I'd like to get an idea of what the wood cutouts look like with game room lights on...
Are they chunky and obtrusive, or do they look as good powered off in the daytime as they do lighted with the game room lights off?
AUSyTyIN
Well-known member
What if there was something cooler than EL wire?
What is that?
Pinball Wizard
Well-known member
EL wire changes color based on what frequency of the AC power going to it is at.
Where did you get that? El wire is single color only, some certain brands you can get what seems like a touch of a color shift from blue to greenish by underpowering but that's it.
Pinball Wizard
Well-known member
Sorry I saw an article about EL color changing and skimmed it and it turns out it was exactly what you described.... I will read entire article before posting next time
Fiberoptic lighting? (like on the Tron)
- Don
- Don
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Black Matrix
Well-known member
Maybe its a stupid question but how many diameter sizes does EL wire come in. If its 3 or more, it would be cool to use the 3 largest sizes so the recognizer appears to be getting larger as it cycles through the 3 sizes. But then, the grooves cut in the melamine would have to be adjusted. Maybe that's too much trouble....It's just a thought.
SaminVA
Well-known member
Glowire.com where I get my glowire sells 4 sizes.
Thin Glowire 1.5mm in diameter
General Purpose Glowire 2.3mm in diameter
High Brightness Glowire measures 2.5mm in diameter
Heavy Duty Glowire 3.2mm in diameter
http://store.glowire.com/
Here's what I use the glowire on.
DPtwiz or Phet: Do you guys have pics of the wood cutouts you've done in full light?
Phetishboy
Well-known member
Yeah, I can post a couple when I get back to my computer.
I don't think I do, the recognizer signs were cut into black melamine, they looked clean even unlit. You could always paint the slot black and the wire pressed into the slot, and then they would look perfect.
