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suit_man
12-15-2005, 04:08 PM
i'm sorry to ask this, i know that i saw something about it in these forums but i cannot find it now. is it possible to wire the sound from one of the 8 dollar light and sound sabers to an el saber powered by 9 volts? i can't run two circuits because i only have 6" to work with in my hilt, so i have room for a 9 volt, an inverter and the sound board, but not much else.

i am a nerd, if you don't like it, i will cut you with my lightsaber

paul
12-16-2005, 07:04 AM
Still working on that.but there must be a way.

Strydur
12-16-2005, 08:19 AM
Somebody has mentioned a voltage reducer from radioshack..takes the input and puts out 4.5v or something like that which would work good for this problem.

Tim
The Custom Saber Shop

suit_man
12-16-2005, 10:49 AM
but wouldn't that put out only 4.5 volts for the inverter as well?

i am a nerd, if you don't like it, i will cut you with my lightsaber

Strydur
12-16-2005, 02:41 PM
no..you have the inverter go directly to the 9v and the voltage reducer is also tied into the 9v not 9v--reducer--inverter.

Tim
The Custom Saber Shop

suit_man
12-16-2005, 03:23 PM
so i need to wire the sound parallel to the inverter?

i am a nerd, if you don't like it, i will cut you with my lightsaber

Strydur
12-16-2005, 06:58 PM
you need to wire the voltage reducer parallel to the inverter

Tim
The Custom Saber Shop

suit_man
12-16-2005, 07:00 PM
that's what i meant. thanks, i'll try it soon and post on whether it works or not.

i am a nerd, if you don't like it, i will cut you with my lightsaber

LAN-ED-TUL
12-17-2005, 07:50 AM
hey tim, maybe you could post a drawing of what your talking about. its something i was considering but didnt know how to wire it. it might help others who arent real sure what your refering to.

suit_man
12-18-2005, 09:26 PM
yeah, i need a picture because i don't think i quite understand what you mean. also, i looked at radioshack and couldn't find a voltage reducer. are they in the component drawers?


i am a nerd, if you don't like it, i will cut you with my lightsaber

Strydur
12-18-2005, 11:00 PM
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062599&cp=&kw=voltage+regulator&parentPage=search

../scripts/soundwiring.jpg


You still have to wire up the switch correctly but this shows how to run EL at 9v and the sound module at 5v. That is if I figured correctly.

Tim
The Custom Saber Shop

suit_man
12-19-2005, 05:42 PM
thanks a bunch. i found that voltage regulator last night on their site. that circuit drawing really helps though.

i am a nerd, if you don't like it, i will cut you with my lightsaber

LAN-ED-TUL
12-20-2005, 08:04 AM
so basically then, you have the switch for the el to turn it on and the momentart switch also to turn on the sound. i guess youd have to hit both at the same time to have the sounds coincide with el. if i gather this correctly. it looks like the negative off the sound and reducer and off the battery all hook up together? is that right?

Strydur
12-20-2005, 09:05 AM
You could hook it all up to one switch. I just didnt have the time to mull that one over.

Tim
The Custom Saber Shop

LAN-ED-TUL
12-20-2005, 09:23 AM
so a dual throw switch with each circut hooked up to the seperate sides of the switch? sounds like it would work just fine.

patt12
12-21-2005, 05:09 PM
Is there a way to get that diagram with better resolution. I can't really see it that well.
Thanks[:)]

suit_man
12-21-2005, 10:23 PM
can anyone point me in the direction of a good DPDT switch? the only one they have at my radioshack is one that looks like the switch that eeygore used to activate frankestein's machine [:)]

i am a nerd, if you don't like it, i will cut you with my lightsaber

MP2
01-04-2006, 11:56 PM
Would the voltage reducer work with 18 volts as well?

Strydur
01-05-2006, 01:33 AM
Yes, Up to 36v I think.

Tim
The Custom Saber Shop

GeluKhanGharr
01-05-2006, 01:37 PM
If you're talking about the voltage regulator from RS, then anything up to 40 volts will be brought down to 5 volts.

Born of Sith, seduced by the light.
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MP2
01-05-2006, 09:04 PM
Thanx, i'm sure i will have more questions once i get one

TorLinWaDur
01-10-2006, 01:14 PM
How to u hook up two switches ?
May I see a diagram?

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darthrumph
01-22-2006, 03:00 PM
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Strydur

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062599&cp=&kw=voltage+regulator&parentPage=search

../scripts/soundwiring.jpg


You still have to wire up the switch correctly but this shows how to run EL at 9v and the sound module at 5v. That is if I figured correctly.

Tim
The Custom Saber Shop
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
ok so I understand how everything is wired up but there is a speaker right would you have the speaker placed on the bottom of the hilt so you can hear it?, also how who one go about mounting all of these electronics inside the hilt ie.. securing the sensors to the inside so that they work properly maybe I can design a bracket that slips inside the hilt to attach all the components to I guess should work on it.

darthrumph
01-25-2006, 03:27 PM
I bought an electronic saber from walmart it has a motor in it that causes a vibration and attached to the board are three led's I was wondering if I mounted all of these things in my hilt if it would draw too much power from my blade?

"The probability of successfully navigating an asteroid field is approxamitly 3,720 to 1"...C3PO - ANH

Jonitus
01-25-2006, 03:56 PM
In all of my sabers, I put the sound board and the sensors in a film canister, with the speaker secured where the lid of the canister should be. A hole is in the "bottom" of the canister for the wires to pass through. Small, compact and fits inside a saber body nicely. All the sensors function perfectly.

...how will you know the light unless you have seen the dark? How will you know the good unless you have flirted with the evil?

darthrumph
01-25-2006, 08:03 PM
well the soundboard from the new hasbro sabers are different they come with vibration and LED already attached they would not fit inside a film canister so I took a piece of PVC pipe and cut it out so that I could mount everything to it and just slide it in the hilt with the sound coming from the bottom where I made some holes for the sound to escape the only thing is I had to make a small hole it the side of the hilt so that I could change the battery and this gets covered so you won't even see it

"The probability of successfully navigating an asteroid field is approxamitly 3,720 to 1"...C3PO - ANH

Jedi-Loreen
01-27-2006, 03:48 AM
<font size="3"><font color="purple">Wow, that was one of the longest run-on sentences I think I've ever seen! [:p] Don't you believe in puncuation, man? </font id="purple"> </font id="size3">
[?]
In order to see the Light, you must sometimes risk the Dark.

darthrumph
01-27-2006, 04:06 PM
not really when I am typing I use the old hunt and peck style of typing so not using any punctuations saves time besides who really cares it's not like I am getting graded on it

"The probability of successfully navigating an asteroid field is approxamitly 3,720 to 1"...C3PO - ANH

Luke-SkyMarcher
02-03-2006, 09:32 PM
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-5/1016453/CopyofHILTWIRINGrevised.jpg
Ok I think I have this understood a little bit better now that I reaed could find on soundboards. Just one question- Will this work if you use one of those voltage regulators from Radio Shack in place of the resistor? Thanks.

-Luke

xwingband
02-03-2006, 10:29 PM
Okies, the negative from the inverter comes straight from the battery. I think you have the LED all messed up. The resistance is applied on the negative.

Here's what I believe it should look like if your resistor is correct for the LED. (If not you could always recalculate it)

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/reelbigporter/CopyofHILTWIRINGrevised2.jpg

EDIT: Oops forgot to mention the switch too. You're going to have the same problem of the Hasbro being momentary and needing a latching for the inverter. If Tim offers latching relays you'd just need a DPDT and you'd be peachy.[:D]

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darthrumph
02-04-2006, 05:19 PM
how have any of you mounted your speakers so the sound can come out of the blade?

"The probability of successfully navigating an asteroid field is approxamitly 3,720 to 1"...C3PO - ANH

Luke-SkyMarcher
02-09-2006, 08:28 PM
Ok forget the LED. the one I'm working on right now won't have one anyway... What I am saying is this: negative from battery to negative on soundboard, negative lead on soundboard to negative on inverter. Positive from battery to positive on inverter and to votage regulator. from voltage regulator to soundboard.

Negatve goes strait through soundboard to inverter so that when the sound module is turned off, so is the inverter. however the positive "splits" and shortcuts to the inverter.

The reason I did it that way is so that all I would need is one momentary switch to turn on the blade and the sound at the same time. I don't know if it will work, but I am about to try it.

(and I don't know if anything I just said made any sense but if you look at the picture I posted you might be able to see what I mean.)

Luke-SkyMarcher
02-09-2006, 08:36 PM
[8D][:D][:)]*HUGE SIGH OF RELIEF* it worked! it was SOOOOO awesome! just one simple, momentary switch[:D]. and on top of that it has a slight flicker between brighter and dimmer when it clashes.[8D]hehehehehehehehehe...

sorry about all the yelling... it just looks so cool. Thank you everybody for all your help. this is awesome!

vamphunterx
02-15-2006, 02:43 AM
I'm not trying to sound like a dumba** or anything, but I've looked all over these forums about wiring sound for EL but I'm still not exactly sure what to do. I've seen so many different things about latching relays and momentary switches, my heads spinning. I'm looking for a way to wire an EL saber with a hasbro sound module and that everything turns on with one switch. Is the latest diagram that xwingband posted correct? Has anyone else other than SkyMarcher actually gotten a sound module to work with EL?

steel_darkblade
02-15-2006, 10:19 AM
Hey Luke, you happen to have a newly updated schematic based on the new hookup that you said works? I'm sure it'd help a lot of us. Also, what kinda switch did you use? DPDT momentary? Or SPST momentary?

"All men die, but not all men live... which are you?"

xwingband
02-15-2006, 10:37 AM
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by steel_darkblade

Hey Luke, you happen to have a newly updated schematic based on the new hookup that you said works? I'm sure it'd help a lot of us. Also, what kinda switch did you use? DPDT momentary? Or SPST momentary?

"All men die, but not all men live... which are you?"
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

I believe what he said is he used the negative lamp wire on the sound board to the inverter. Ingenius... I don't know if the resistance on it matters that way or that the voltage is lowered. Basically ignore the LED on mine and replace the negative straight from the battery with the lamp wire. (That's if I understand what he said.

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vamphunterx
02-15-2006, 01:50 PM
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><u>xwingband:</u>I believe what he said is he used the negative lamp wire on the sound board to the inverter. Ingenius... I don't know if the resistance on it matters that way or that the voltage is lowered. Basically ignore the LED on mine and replace the negative straight from the battery with the lamp wire. (That's if I understand what he said.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

So it sounds like this "should" work.
http://www.geocities.com/fushichounoka/copyofhiltwiringrevised3.jpg

xwingband
02-15-2006, 04:19 PM
Yup, that's what I believe he said.

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vamphunterx
02-15-2006, 10:59 PM
Awesome!

Luke-SkyMarcher
02-22-2006, 07:52 PM
ok here is the "official" diagram of how I wired it up... so I hope this is clear to those who, like me, are not that good with electronics.[8D]
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-5/1016453/soundwiring.jpg
and yes, it does seem kind of dimmer wired up this way, but by wireing up more batteries I'm sure it could be fixed.

Luke-SkyMarcher
02-22-2006, 07:55 PM
oh and if anyone knows how you could wire an LED into that it would be great... I have someone else who is having me build him a saber - he heard the sound, liked it, and decided to have a soundboard put in his, and the hilt he wants has an LED.

I used a small speaker from radio shack for this, and I think it sounds all right. it is listed 1 1/8", but it seems a little bigger than that. Anyway, I am having this problem... it seems to be amplifying the inverter hum. Since the inverter only hums when the blade is in, the sound sounds fine if you turn it on without the blade, but the (comparativly) loud noise messes up the hum of the soundboard, and it really doesn't sound as nice as it should. Has anyone else had this problem? and can you fix it?

oh and btw I used a normal momentary switch with just two leads.

vamphunterx
02-23-2006, 03:54 AM
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">and yes, it does seem kind of dimmer wired up this way, but by wireing up more batteries I'm sure it could be fixed.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

Ah that sucks, how much dimmer? It should still be pretty bright with the 4khz inverter, right?

vattoland
02-23-2006, 10:31 PM
Does anyone know if the sound mod will burn out if it is hooked up to a 9V? The reason I ask is because it did for a minute, got sound then is stopped putting off sound. I was looking for a tutorial on this but as you can tell this info is not under tutorial's. I can see now that you need the voltage reducer. I just got my EL kit with sound mod in, was able to get the blade working no problem with the EL tutorial. I guess if it is burned out I could bust open one of my sons Hasbro’s and use the sound mod out of that.

I think I found a possible answer at http://thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=346&whichpage=2

xwingband
02-23-2006, 10:48 PM
Yup, a 9V will "fry it." You might want to check if the fuse just blew though. The Hasbro board can't take the 9V which is why a voltage reducer is used to bring it down to a more friendly 5V.[:)]

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vattoland
02-25-2006, 12:10 PM
Do you have to replace the 120 ( I thought that should be a 220/470 ohm ??) resistor in the diagram above? If you leave it in the picture will it even work and maybe help with the dim light? I don’t know enough about electronics to understand if it will blow something. I did get the diagram from above to work but it was just too dim, so dim I wont even consider running this way.

Does anyone know if I could actually run the sound off of 1 or 2 AA’s? I may be able to fit that into my hilt along with the other electronics.

steel_darkblade
02-25-2006, 12:17 PM
Adding the 120 Res. will only make it worse, but slightly. I'm working on finding a way to implement 2 switches without it dimming. Hopefully taking all those Electronic/Electrical classes in my major will yield something good. Will get back to you all by the end of this coming week at the soonest.

"All men die, but not all men live... which are you?"

morpheus1977
03-20-2006, 01:29 PM
now I am running 12V with mine I should be albe to use this regulator to get the Voltage down to the apropriate setting correct?
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062601&cp=&kw=voltage+regulator&parentPage=search

morpheus1977
03-20-2006, 01:56 PM
never mind I just found my answer in a previous post the same will reduce 12 to 5.

steel_darkblade
03-20-2006, 06:44 PM
Anyone else tried Luke-Sky Marcher's schem and had luck? I couldn't get it to work! Worse still, I blew out the resistors on the LED/Senesor board *growls and whines* Now I gotta shelf out another $20 or so for a new Obi Wan ROTJ saber just to butcher the sound module off.

"All men die, but not all men live... which are you?"

xwingband
03-20-2006, 09:56 PM
You used the voltage reducer and sure it's not the fuse that blew?

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Do-Clo
03-20-2006, 10:15 PM
Guys I don't want to be picky but can we call it by it's real name a voltage regulator and the part number is 7805 for 5 volts.

Do-Clo
Don't make me destroy you...

xwingband
03-20-2006, 10:35 PM
Okay.[:p] Same difference...

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morpheus1977
03-20-2006, 10:42 PM
I looked at the diagrams I am still totally confused I was able to hook up my two LED's with no prob now I am just trying to figure out how to properly hook up this sound module the button its self is on the circuit board so when I hook up this correctly I should be albe to turn it on and off with the button on my hilt correct??

xwingband
03-20-2006, 10:43 PM
Yeah, just replace the existing one with the one on the hilt.

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morpheus1977
03-20-2006, 11:13 PM
yea but how do I replace it do I have to wire anything directly to the board???

xwingband
03-21-2006, 06:37 AM
Okay, it's wired on the board? If so, cut it off the board or at least the connections and solder the button you have in the place of the two severed connections.

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steel_darkblade
03-21-2006, 12:32 PM
Morpheus, you using LED or EL?

xwing: Well, I blew it out by sheer stupidity of hooking the + lead of the soundboard to a 12V power supply. (Yeah... I know, stupid huh?)

Anyways, does anyone have a <font color="red">guaranteed </font id="red"> working single switch schematic for an EL with a Hasbro sound board? I really can't seem to make Luke-Skymarcher's work. Heck it doesn't even seem to make sense electrically!

"All men die, but not all men live... which are you?"

steel_darkblade
03-21-2006, 12:43 PM
Morpheus, you using LED or EL?

xwing: Well, I blew it out by sheer stupidity of hooking the + lead of the soundboard to a 12V power supply. (Yeah... I know, stupid huh?)

Anyways, does anyone have a <font color="red">guaranteed </font id="red"> working single switch schematic for an EL with a Hasbro sound board? I really can't seem to make Luke-Skymarcher's work. Heck it doesn't even seem to make sense electrically!

Also, since the new (relatively) SPDT switches are momentary... that means they won't work in keeping the EL on if you're just using EL with a Hasbro sound module rite? So... what kinda switch would you use? Everyone kinda moved to LEDs and I would too, but I'm doing this for a class project, so I gotta stick with it. I saw talk about relays, but Strydur said even he doesn't know how you'd get it to work if you can't get the voltage to switch...

Any enlightenment would be greatly appreciated. [:D]


"All men die, but not all men live... which are you?"

GeluKhanGharr
03-21-2006, 05:43 PM
steel,

I built a few sabers with relays. There is a down side to this: they drain too much power. Use a Zener Diode instead. Put the diode on the positive wire from your high (9 to 12 volts) power supply to your hasbro board. Make sure you align the diode the "wrong" way so it acts as a voltage regulator. A 5 volt one from RS works just fine. Then power your inverter with the plus directly from the power supply and the minus from the "lamp" negative on the Hasbro board. Your EL bade will flash if the board has that "feature" but turning on and off will be controlled solely by the board's momentary switch


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morpheus1977
03-21-2006, 08:03 PM
I am doing an EL and if I am getting a high pitch squeal from my sound board does that mean its fried?

morpheus1977
03-21-2006, 08:05 PM
Xwing when I say its on the board I mean the button is part of the board

Do-Clo
03-21-2006, 09:13 PM
Morpheus the sound board you are using is it longer than a one of the generic sith sound boards pictured on this site with a metal post with a spring around it for a clash sensor?


Do-Clo
Don't make me destroy you...

morpheus1977
03-21-2006, 09:33 PM
nope mine is from a vader saber the clase sensor has what looks like a white cap on the end of it

Do-Clo
03-22-2006, 12:11 AM
I had used an older sound board that had the switch on the board was why I asked. The sound coming from your sound board is the 4 khz inverter frequency that is getting into the audio amplifier section of the sound board, like when a high powered cb goes by and their transmission gets into your computer speakers. I am not sure what you can do about this problem other than to locate the sound board further away from the inverter or try wraping your sound board in plastic wrap to prevent shorting then wrap it in tin foil to sheild it to see if it helps.

Do-Clo
Don't make me destroy you...

GeluKhanGharr
03-22-2006, 01:15 AM
I have placed inverters right on top of sound boards and didn't have this problem. If you hook-up the sound board by itself without the inverter, does it still put out just a high pitched whine? If so, I'd say it probably is fried. If not, it might be a matter of incorrect wiring

Born of Sith, seduced by the light.
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Do-Clo
03-22-2006, 06:32 AM
I have had this problem in other sabers but normally it is with older sound boards, and I never was able to overcome it. The sound board worked fine without the inverter but when it got near the inverter you would hear the inverter hum in the speaker.

Do-Clo
Don't make me destroy you...

Luke-SkyMarcher
03-29-2006, 06:34 PM
Ghelu, could you show in a diagram how you hook your zener diod setup? I want to hook up a soundboard in a different way than before so that the blade is not dimmed so much and does not eat batteris so fast. I could really use some help here.

Thanks

-Luke

LAN-ED-TUL
03-30-2006, 12:08 AM
was it apulsating type hum? if so, then cool, theres yer saber on humming sound.

You dont know the POWER, of the dark side...

Lord_Jyensba_Lalne
04-09-2006, 10:39 AM
So is the blue picture the stuff that comes in a Hasbro saber? And is it all connected like that already?(just the stuff in the blue box) And how do you connect the positive end of the battery to so many things if it is just connected to the 9V battery holder? Also, I was thinking of using the sound from the Qui-Gon EPI Hasbro saber.

I am reffering to the picture on page 1.

I am fourteen years old, and not experienced with electronics. Please keep that in mind when I post.

xwingband
04-09-2006, 11:27 AM
Yes, the "blue" pic is one from UtraSWG's auctions on ebay. That is one of the "generic" Jedi hasbros that were going for $8. Now you have to find a store that has that one (or another model) and open it up. Ultra still might have some of those... but to avoid shipping it's best to catch one on sale locally.

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Do-Clo
04-09-2006, 11:28 AM
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Lord_Jyensba_Lalne

So is the blue picture the stuff that comes in a Hasbro saber? And is it all connected like that already?(just the stuff in the blue box) And how do you connect the positive end of the battery to so many things if it is just connected to the 9V battery holder? Also, I was thinking of using the sound from the Qui-Gon EPI Hasbro saber.

I am reffering to the picture on page 1.

I am fourteen years old, and not experienced with electronics. Please keep that in mind when I post.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">


Back to the books young one the answers you seek will be found where you found the diagram of the sound board.

Do-Clo

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Lord_Jyensba_Lalne
04-09-2006, 11:32 AM
Actually (after looking through the whole topic, hehe) I think I'll use Luke's setup. But how do you attach more than 1 thing to one wire?

I am fourteen years old, and not experienced with electronics. Please keep that in mind when I post.

xwingband
04-09-2006, 11:34 AM
Before you solder them twist the wires together. Two or three wires makes no difference...

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Lord_Jyensba_Lalne
04-09-2006, 03:59 PM
So twist the wires you want to connect together, then solder them?
Is there a way to have sound without the momentary switch? What does the switch do to the sound/light? Also, all the pictures that these forums have do not match my Hasbro saber. It is the Qui-Gon EPI, and it uses different looking parts than those posted on this site. I'll try to get pics of the parts.

I am fourteen years old, and not experienced with electronics. Please keep that in mind when I post.

Do-Clo
04-09-2006, 06:00 PM
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Lord_Jyensba_Lalne

So twist the wires you want to connect together, then solder them?
Is there a way to have sound without the momentary switch? What does the switch do to the sound/light? Also, all the pictures that these forums have do not match my Hasbro saber. It is the Qui-Gon EPI, and it uses different looking parts than those posted on this site. I'll try to get pics of the parts.

I am fourteen years old, and not experienced with electronics. Please keep that in mind when I post.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

The monetary switch is to turn the board on and off, the board was designed to use this type of switch. In short no switch no sound.
All of the sound boards work the same just pay attention to the wiring before you remove it.

Also on a pesronal note you might want to change your siginature line we all know you are 14 and don't know anything about electronics.

Do-Clo

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/Do-Clo/DarthVader.gif
Don't make me destroy you...

LAN-ED-TUL
04-09-2006, 10:17 PM
amen do-clo. amen!!




You dont know the POWER, of the dark side...

xwingband
04-10-2006, 06:56 AM
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Lord_Jyensba_Lalne

So twist the wires you want to connect together, then solder them?
Is there a way to have sound without the momentary switch? What does the switch do to the sound/light? Also, all the pictures that these forums have do not match my Hasbro saber. It is the Qui-Gon EPI, and it uses different looking parts than those posted on this site. I'll try to get pics of the parts.

I am fourteen years old, and not experienced with electronics. Please keep that in mind when I post.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

Yes, like when you want to connect the battery wires of the board to your battery pack you strip the ends to expose the wire (if they aren't already) and twist them together. The solder will bind them even further.

Do-Clo is right that all the boards look different but have the same set of wires pretty much. If the the diagram is correct on the other topic the difference on your board is the two LED leads. The positive one should just replace the negative from the battery in most of the diagrams here.

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Lord_Jyensba_Lalne
04-10-2006, 11:46 AM
How do I tell postive from negative?

Do-Clo
04-10-2006, 11:58 AM
Look closely at the printed circuit board most times they are marked with <font size="6">+</font id="size6"> and <font size="6"> - </font id="size6">

With a little reading and searching most of this information can be discovered.

Do-Clo

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/Do-Clo/DarthVader.gif
Don't make me destroy you...

Lord_Jyensba_Lalne
04-11-2006, 04:47 PM
So does a voltage regulator reduce the volts to 5, no matter how much is put into it?

Do-Clo
04-11-2006, 06:13 PM
The voltage regulator reduces the input voltage to a preset level and will maintain that voltage even if the input voltage goes up and down. All voltage regulators have a maxium input rating, exceed the rating and you get smoke coming from the device.

Do-Clo

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/Do-Clo/DarthVader.gif
Don't make me destroy you...

xwingband
04-11-2006, 07:23 PM
Yup, that darn conservation of energy.[:D] All the extra is put out as heat.

<center>Read the FAQ (http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=552) or x-wing won't be happy. :(
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LAN-ED-TUL
04-12-2006, 02:26 AM
and if too much input volts, then possible FIREWORKS TOO!!!

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c291/LAN-ED-TUL/me.jpg


You dont know the POWER, of the dark side...

Do-Clo
04-12-2006, 06:39 AM
The fireworks really are not that great, it is just one small flash followed by lots of smoke. "I love the smell of burnt electronics in the morning"

Do-Clo

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/Do-Clo/DarthVader.gif
Don't make me destroy you...

Jonitus
04-12-2006, 08:00 AM
...and once you let out the magic smoke, it no workie no more...since electronic devices need magic smoke to run.

...how will you know the light unless you have seen the dark? How will you know the good unless you have flirted with the evil?

WeirdoTransvestite
04-12-2006, 10:15 AM
In my electronics class, about 2 years ago, we were making outlet testers. They reqired some soldering, so we were required to show the teacher so he could double check our work. One kid didn't. He plugged it in to an outlet, there was this fantastic blue spark that lit up the room, and a sound like clapping your hands together really hard and fast. And a whiff of magic smoke. Teacher was mad, we all laughed at his failed attempt to shock himself.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
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Do-Clo
04-12-2006, 10:33 AM
While in college (I am not saying how long ago) during an electronics lab a guy was working on a project and he plugged it in before really checking his work, the circuit emitted a low pitch growl and buzzing sound prior to emitting the magic smoke. He earned the nickname flash after that. Probably the best magic smoke release was while working for a company that made microwave devices for warfare systems and all of our work was done looking through a microscope. If you were looking through the microscope when a FET would blown you would see a small flash of light then a small cloud of magic smoke rising, it kinda looked like a nuclear bomb cloud on a small scale.

Do-Clo

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/Do-Clo/DarthVader.gif
Don't make me destroy you...

james3
04-12-2006, 10:58 AM
Oh yes, the classic smell of heartbreaking, gutwrenching, dismal parts failure. Allthough not always, most commonly seen with ID-10-T issues.[;)] Like Jonitus said once you lose the magic smoke, you are done.

"Only a Sith deals in absolutes. I will do what I must." - Obi-Wan Kenobi

Lord_Jyensba_Lalne
04-12-2006, 12:33 PM
So I could increase the voltage to the EL blade to the max voltage on the regulator by attaching more batteries, then that would increase the brightness of the blade without overpowering the regulator and the sound board. Right? Am I right?

Do-Clo
04-12-2006, 01:10 PM
Your are right, the inverter that Tim sells is rated for 12 volts and he has tested them at 18 volts which is done with 2 9 volt batteries. I would not exceed the 18 volt level though or the magic smoke may be released. I just finished a red EL saber that is running on 12 votls and it looks good I will post some pictures soon.

Do-Clo

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/Do-Clo/DarthVader.gif
Don't make me destroy you...

Lord_Jyensba_Lalne
04-12-2006, 01:38 PM
Sweet. I think I may be learning something over the past few days. I just looked up the regulator on RadioShack.com, and it said that the max is 36 volts(WAY too much for the EL...). So I think I will run my saber on 12 volts, using the 9V hookup from the inverter, and the 2 AA clip I already have. And I thought that clip was worthless to me now...

Do-Clo
04-12-2006, 02:17 PM
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Lord_Jyensba_Lalne

Sweet. I think I may be learning something over the past few days. I just looked up the regulator on RadioShack.com, and it said that the max is 36 volts(WAY too much for the EL...). So I think I will run my saber on 12 volts, using the 9V hookup from the inverter, and the 2 AA clip I already have. And I thought that clip was worthless to me now...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

You might just become a saber builder yet.[8D]

Do-Clo

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/Do-Clo/DarthVader.gif
Don't make me destroy you...

LAN-ED-TUL
04-12-2006, 03:24 PM
true, young apprentise, you are learning and thats good. you must become one with the force, and then you will be strong indeed.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c291/LAN-ED-TUL/me.jpg


You dont know the POWER, of the dark side...

Luke-SkyMarcher
04-13-2006, 06:49 PM
I did a great deal of experimenting with soundboards in the last few days. It seems that the voltage regulator saps a lot of power from the battery. I did a lot of measuring things with a voltometer. A soundboard running off two AAA batteries barely uses any power. But when you hook it up to the voltage reducer with twelve volts (powering just the soundboard, not the inverter too) it drains the batteries just as fast as the 4khz inverter does. It also brings the voltage down alot. This is what I mean. http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-3/1165233/wiring.JPG If you were to measure at points A and B when it is off, it would be about 11.5 volts. When you turn on the soundboard, it measures at about 9.5 volts. If you hook only 3v to points B and C, (with the other batteries disconnected) the difference is in only the tenths of volts. Therefore, it is not the soundboard that drains the batteries, nor the setup that makes the blade dimmer. It is somhow the voltage regulator. I don't know too much about electronics, but I do know about Logic!

(oh and by the way I measured the led negative lead and the difference was only in the tenths or hundereths of volts)

And the brightness can be fixed by adding two AA or AAA... It just drains the battery quickly because of the regulator.

I hope all this is legible.....

If there is somting you can use in place of the voltage regulator, I think it would work. (and I fried a sound module trying to hook up a 5.1v zener diode.



You'll find I'm full of suprises. -Luke, ESB, Anakin, AOTC

Do-Clo
04-13-2006, 09:13 PM
You should not mix different types of batteries such as 9 volt and AA or AAA bateries because the mah rating is different. If the battery with the lower mah rating begins to run down then it draws current from the other battery with the higher mah and it runs everything down faster. The voltage regulator draws current even if the circuit attached to it is powered off because it is hard at work converting 12 volts to 5 volts using current in the process running down the battery.

Do-Clo

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/Do-Clo/DarthVader.gif
Don't make me destroy you...

Do-Clo
04-13-2006, 10:26 PM
I finished my EL saber and I thought it might inspire you guys.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/Do-Clo/IM000117.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/Do-Clo/IM000111.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/Do-Clo/IM000105.jpg

This is the first EL saber that I have built and I like it. I am using 8 AA batteries for 12 volt operation. I may just have to make one for myself.[8D]


Do-Clo

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/Do-Clo/DarthVader.gif
Don't make me destroy you...

james3
04-14-2006, 05:33 AM
Very nice. What is the emitter head made from? That is a awsome red blade, nice brightness. I may be a little biased though since I still see a ton of merit in EL.

"Only a Sith deals in absolutes. I will do what I must." - Obi-Wan Kenobi

Do-Clo
04-14-2006, 06:41 AM
The emitter shroud is a piece of pvc pipe and a pvc coupler. I used my scroll saw to cut out the design and then sanded the final shape and finished it with the spray plastic dip paint. This ia a true lowes special as everything but the blade supplies and elcetronics came from them the rest came from Tim. I perfer the led sabers but this project has made me take a real hard look at el. I will be building one for myself to keep and I may see if I can solve the sound/el one switch problem.

Do-Clo

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/Do-Clo/DarthVader.gif
Don't make me destroy you...

LAN-ED-TUL
04-14-2006, 04:50 PM
cool. that midband is what i used on a obi wan style hardware saber i built a few years back. on mine i drilled out 3 of the holes where you have the screw things, and put in leds. and wired them in parallel to a switch. ran off a 9 volt. i had 2 blinkers and a constant. made a really wierd flashing pattern. looked cool.



http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c291/LAN-ED-TUL/me.jpg
The Brotherhood Of The Sith

You dont know the POWER, of the dark side...

Do-Clo
04-14-2006, 07:22 PM
I just sprayed some black appliance epoxy paint on it and it turned out great, I use the same paint to repaint the side bars on the MR FX sabers if they are messed up, it makes them look like new.


Do-Clo
Don't make me destroy you...

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/Do-Clo/DarthVader.gif

The Brotherhood of the Sith

Luke-SkyMarcher
04-17-2006, 06:25 PM
My point is, the voltage regulator does not work (at least, not well enough for me) Is there anything that will reduce the voltage to about three volts without drawing very much power? thanks.

-Luke

You'll find I'm full of suprises. -Luke, ESB, Anakin, AOTC

Do-Clo
04-17-2006, 07:20 PM
I have some thoughts that I will try on my own EL saber but I am not sure it will work plus I have to order a few parts. Give me a little time and when I get some customer orders finished I can focus on the problem. The regulator is going to drain the batteries because it draws current all the time that power is conected. You need to use all of the same kind of batteries though if you are going to use more than one battery.

Do-Clo
Don't make me destroy you...

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/Do-Clo/DarthVader.gif

The Brotherhood of the Sith

Lord_Jyensba_Lalne
04-26-2006, 04:30 PM
How far up the hilt should I mount the speaker? As in, what distance gives the best sound?

I am 1/3 High School student and 2/3 SITH LORD.

xwingband
04-26-2006, 04:44 PM
I'd say the consensus is maybe 1" to 1 1/2". Makes it a lot louder because it makes it resonate more.

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Undrin_koo
04-27-2006, 07:32 PM
Hey Tim i got my parts today they are perfect great job now my lightsaber lokks more complete...

suit_man
04-28-2006, 06:56 PM
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Undrin_koo

Hey Tim i got my parts today they are perfect great job now my lightsaber lokks more complete...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
do you have flameproof clothes? you may need them....

i am a nerd, if you don't like it, i will cut you with my lightsaber

Zhi-don
05-01-2006, 10:10 AM
So what is the final word on having a sound board in an EL saber? Can you use an MR board? Is the Hasbro board better or worse? Do you need 2 kinds of batteries? I would like to use a single 9 volt to power both, but much of what I have read here indicates that it doesn't work well.

Zhi-don Aquintas
XO RL Sunrider Base
Treasurer/Head Instructor
Lightsaber training OCSWS

xwingband
05-01-2006, 10:39 AM
Of course you can have sound on an EL saber. An MR board would be tons easier since it's latching also.

Hasbro's as of yet don't have a good way of working because they're momentary. The only hitch for both is the voltage reducer.[;)] 9V could certainly power it but maybe two in parallel is better so the board doesn't drain your saber faster/make it dull.

<center>Read the FAQ (http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=552) or x-wing won't be happy. :(
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Do-Clo
05-01-2006, 10:39 AM
I have a project that I am working on so it looks like it will be possible but I don't want to get anybodys hopes up yet, I need a few parts to go any farther. I will post the results soon.

Do-Clo
Brotherhood of the Sith

Don't make me destroy you...

Zhi-don
05-01-2006, 01:46 PM
Thanks Do-clo, I will wait patiently. I have the guts from an MR coming soon. Should I use the speaker or buy another? I can't use the battery pack since it's not enough to power the EL.

Zhi-don Aquintas
XO RL Sunrider Base
Treasurer/Head Instructor
Lightsaber training OCSWS

Do-Clo
05-01-2006, 02:14 PM
You can use the speaker if you want or replace it with another your choice.


Do-Clo
Brotherhood of the Sith

Don't make me destroy you...

Zhi-don
05-01-2006, 04:43 PM
Assuming I don't want to tear the battery pack apart, where would be a good place to get a small speaker of this type? 8 ohm, I also assume.

Zhi-don Aquintas
XO RL Sunrider Base
Treasurer/Head Instructor
Lightsaber training OCSWS

Do-Clo
05-01-2006, 05:08 PM
You will like this one, a hasbro saber, or a older nextel phone, and I am serious. I have not found a good source of speakers in that small size.

Do-Clo
Brotherhood of the Sith

Don't make me destroy you...

steel_darkblade
05-01-2006, 06:26 PM
I've found great speakers for use with the soundboard. Got em at Radioshack, about 3 bucks a piece, 8-Ohm, and slightly more than an inch in diameter (1 1/8)! Part number is 273-092.

"All men die, but not all men live... which are you?"

suit_man
05-01-2006, 07:12 PM
i use those too, they have worked well for me.

i am a nerd, if you don't like it, i will cut you with my lightsaber

Zhi-don
05-02-2006, 06:19 AM
Thank you gentlemen. I will go and get some.

Zhi-don Aquintas
XO RL Sunrider Base
Treasurer/Head Instructor
Lightsaber training OCSWS

Lord_Jyensba_Lalne
05-02-2006, 05:14 PM
So would wiring 2 9V batteries in parallel to each other do the same thing to an EL wire as 2 9V in series? Life-wise I mean.

I am 1/3 High School student and 2/3 SITH LORD.

suit_man
05-02-2006, 05:22 PM
2 9v in parellel would give a longer run time, but it would still be 9v so it wouldn't affect brightness or EL life.

i am a nerd, if you don't like it, i will cut you with my lightsaber

Zhi-don
05-08-2006, 11:13 AM
Any word on development of sound that will run off a 9 volt without frying? Room is the only reason I don't have sound in my EL right now. With speaker, sound card, inverter, switch and battery...there is just no room.

Zhi-don Aquintas
XO RL Sunrider Base
Treasurer/Head Instructor
Lightsaber training OCSWS

xwingband
05-08-2006, 11:22 AM
You didn't read the posts did you? *sigh* I answered you there. YES! Voltage reducer! The problem is the switch.

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Jedi Master Adam
05-08-2006, 01:02 PM
Hi all.

I'm a bit of a newb to the saber scene but me and my mates have been tinckering and duelling with EL for about a year and a half now. Was thinking of finally making my saber except with metal and sound instead of cardboard and a very convincing humming sound effect provided by my mate John. Was wondering what is the best way of hooking up a double bladed el with sound, I was thinking maybe just treat it as two one bladed sabers and put the gear in the staff hilt, but maybe there is a better way? I dunno, but from the wealth of knowledge I seen so far wouldn't be shocked if someone here did. But I would be very Grateful.

Any help would be much appreciated (and a drawing would be gratelly appreciated cos i'm thick lol)
Thanks
Jedi Padawan Adam

james3
05-08-2006, 01:15 PM
Two sink tubes with the double saber connector and all the trimmings will get you the best results unless you want to make a MHS saberstaff. It really depends on what your budget is.

<center>http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e370/Dadof3/TCSSmug.jpg</center>

Zhi-don
05-08-2006, 01:16 PM
Sorry X-wing, I did read the post, but some else posted that the voltage reducer didn't work right. My plan is to use an MR sound card, but until we get the bugs worked out, I can't. I would be using the latching switch for this. Do-clo mentioned that he was working on something and I just wanted an update.

Zhi-don Aquintas
XO RL Sunrider Base
Treasurer/Head Instructor
Lightsaber training OCSWS

xwingband
05-08-2006, 01:54 PM
The voltage reducer does work. I don't know who said it didn't (and not willing to search [:p]), but that's not the problem. The differing switches are, but if you are using an MR there are no problems. Do-Clo is talking about getting a Hasbro to work (Hasbro's are momentary and the EL needs latching) which is the switch issue I'm refering to.

<center>Read the FAQ (http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=552) or x-wing won't be happy. :(
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xwingband
05-08-2006, 01:56 PM
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Jedi Master Adam

Hi all.

I'm a bit of a newb to the saber scene but me and my mates have been tinckering and duelling with EL for about a year and a half now. Was thinking of finally making my saber except with metal and sound instead of cardboard and a very convincing humming sound effect provided by my mate John. Was wondering what is the best way of hooking up a double bladed el with sound, I was thinking maybe just treat it as two one bladed sabers and put the gear in the staff hilt, but maybe there is a better way? I dunno, but from the wealth of knowledge I seen so far wouldn't be shocked if someone here did. But I would be very Grateful.

Any help would be much appreciated (and a drawing would be gratelly appreciated cos i'm thick lol)
Thanks
Jedi Padawan Adam
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

Depends on how you want it to work... you could treat them individually or you could have one switch. Which would you like?

<center>Read the FAQ (http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=552) or x-wing won't be happy. :(
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Zhi-don
05-08-2006, 04:06 PM
If that's the case, then great! I will order a radio shack regulator right away.

Zhi-don Aquintas
XO RL Sunrider Base
Treasurer/Head Instructor
Lightsaber training OCSWS