Luxeon/EL Combo Saber

[ryanlb]

I have a Luxeon saber (Ultra's Stunt saber) that I'd like to add some decorative EL wiring to. First, is there any glaring reason why I shouldn't do this?

Ideally I'd like the LED and the EL to be powered off the same source - is this possible, or not a good idea? I can make the hilt long enough for two sets of batteries if need be (I just received my full Darth Maul saber from Alex and I love it as a single bladed, very long two-handed hilt).
Anyway, regardless of whether or not I have two power supplies the EL wire must be driven off an inverter, correct?

Thanks!

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[Do-Clo]

The simple way to do that would be to use a seperater battery to power the inverter for the el wire. A 9 volt battery will run the inverter fine and will not add to much to the length of the saber hilt.

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[ryanlb]

Tim's inverter has leads for a mono jack, which I wouldn't be using, I can just cut those off short and solder them together, correct?

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[xwingband]

Correct. That is all you need to do.

Going for a saber like JediRanger's with the EL grip details?

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[james3]

JR got a sweeet setup there, I wouldn't mind doing something like that either. What's that they say about immatation being the sincerest form of flattery or something like that.

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[ryanlb]

I think I might have already had the notion in the back of my mind somewhere, but JediRanger's saber definitely convinced me that I should do it.
I am planning to wrap the wire around the ribbed extension, right above where I would grip it. I'm toying with the idea of wrapping it around blade holder 3, so it's closer to the blade, maybe even milling some slots in BH3 (akin to BH4) so the blade shines through the wrapping, but I don't know if that'll look as good as I think it should.

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[Jedi Ranger]

For the emitter, I'd recommend just cutting the grooves so the blade shines through.

2 seperate power supplies is much easier to engineer. AND.......each item will last longer (blade & EL).

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[GeluKhanGharr]

I beat JR to implementing the EL-over-the-hilt ideea, but he beat me at building the EL/LED combo I've been thinking about for a while. Now I have another ideea I believe will outshine any I've seen built so far. If I could only muster some time. [}:)] Anyway, the separate power supplies is the definetly the way to go in my opinion. One 9v battery for the EL and 3-4 AA for LED. LED needs a lot of curent and that's what AA are good at, while EL needs high voltage/high frequency, but not a lot of curent hence the 9v battery will suffice.

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[ryanlb]

Thanks, that's a good explaination. Now, if only I had some money...

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[vortextwist]

how do would you wire it into the same switch, or can you? I had an idea of using the el wire to light up a decorative crystal at the end of the hilt while using the led for the blade. thanks

[ryanlb]

Yes you can. I have a DPDT switch, which has three on positions. I can wire it up so that one position is off, one is EL wire only, and the final position is EL and LED on.
The same principle should work for you. If you always want them to light up and turn off together just a DPST switch would work.

[vortextwist]

ya that would be what I want, don't want 2 switches. cool thanks

[Jedi Ranger]

My newest combo hilt used a single DPDT switch, but it operates with everything is either off or on. If I could ever find a replacement (toggle) switch that operates like ryanlb described, I would definately replace it.

[ryanlb]

I bought the switch online for $5 or so. I'll see if I can dig up where I got it (it's been a couple of months).

[ryanlb]

That was easier than I expected. I don't know if this will do what you want, but it should do what I want (I just haven't been able to get around to doing it yet).

DPDT Toggle Switch on-on-on (http://www.alliedelec.com/Search/ProductDetail.asp?SKU=676-3050&SEARCH=&MPN=7211SYZQE&DESC=7211SYZQE&R=676%2D3050&sid=45A2DB002F9BE17F)