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View Full Version : Two inverters, 37 feet of White EL



bazuka
03-15-2006, 12:55 PM
Hey guys, my project has begun. I am trying to build a saber using two inverters, and twice as much EL wire to try to increase brightness. I am using white EL, so I figured I'd try and see what happens. Here's some initial pics...

lights on...
http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/6040/lslon9nl.jpg

lights off...
http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/5724/lsloff9tr.jpg

Among other things, I am trying out an alternate sound board from a dude named Erv in France. He won't ship to the US, but his board has customizable sounds stored on an SD card. I have been in the process of creating a decent hum sound for a few days now, but I still have a lot of work to do on that end. I'll update here when I have more done, since I just got my parts in today.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y255/rshuck/empire1.jpg

xwingband
03-15-2006, 01:16 PM
Yeah, I plan on saving for erv's sound board too. He won't ship to the US because hyperdyne owns a patent on some of the stuff he uses.[}:)]

I love the sig too. I recognize it from TFN.[;)]

Are you trying to make a wider blade or what? Seems rather pointless otherwise.

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bazuka
03-15-2006, 01:21 PM
Well, I'm using the 1" OD that Tim sells for the LED sabers because I wasn't sure if I could fit that much el in an el blade. I'm not sure I fully understand your question.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y255/rshuck/empire1.jpg

xwingband
03-15-2006, 01:24 PM
That's what I wanted know.[:)] It's hard to tell from a pic what diameter you're using.

Do you plan on running it on 9V each? Any more would take up some space...

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bazuka
03-15-2006, 01:29 PM
I plan on running off 9.6v via 8AA rechargable batteries if I can mash them all in there, but it's looking like my chances are slim for that. Even 8AAA would give me some more run time. Last resort will be a 9v for each, but I'm going to try to avoid that.

FYI... the pic is the wire running at 12v from my bench supply.

Also, ERV's board is pretty sweet so far. The speaker is a smaller diameter than the hasbro board, but it sounds fantastic. Of course the cost is a bit of an issue, but I wanted to make my own sounds for it.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y255/rshuck/empire1.jpg

james3
03-15-2006, 01:35 PM
Pretty sweet. I was thinking about making a 1" EL with a 1.5" hilt but I figured there would not be enough space to do 12 or 18 volts so I to am curious.

OK I'm slow on the keyboard.

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

bazuka
03-15-2006, 01:54 PM
I'm using the MHS, so I can tell you this... You can't fit a 2x2 set of AA's in there for a single tier. 3 AA's in a triangle shape will fit, but just barely. So for me, I may be running at 10.8v for rechargable batteries, or 13.5v using standard AAs. I'll have to get some AAA batteries and see how they work. If I can fit 4 in a square, then I'll most likely do that since 3AAs in height is right on 6", and the MHS hilt's button hole is just about 5" on center after figuring in the 1/2" for the pommel end.

Many things to consider now.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y255/rshuck/empire1.jpg

Do-Clo
03-15-2006, 02:42 PM
How heavy is the blade with all of that wire stuffed in it? Nice looking blade very bright and uniform.

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

bazuka
03-15-2006, 04:45 PM
I haven't really been to a point to get a good feel for that yet, but I'll let you know when I do. It will easily be the heaviest blade around, considering the double length of EL and the 1" tube. Weight wasn't really a deciding factor for me, as the hilt will be even heavier with all the batteries and extra junk in there.

And FYI for those who may have been wondering... the MHS hilt will NOT fit in a D-Cell mag-lite's body. It's just a touch too big to cram in there, and the pommel is just a touch too small to match the OD of the maglite. I wanted to use a diamond pattern grip in black like the mag-lites have, and the dimensions are very close, but not perfect. So much for that idea, at least for now.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y255/rshuck/empire1.jpg

LAN-ED-TUL
03-16-2006, 12:03 AM
take it down and machine the inside out then it will fit.

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

bazuka
03-16-2006, 03:25 AM
I would, but I have no skills when it comes to that. Chicks only like guys with skills.

That doesn't solve the problem with the pommel and emitter being undersize, or I would find someone to do it for me. Do you guys know if Tim makes his MHS parts himself, or someone else? If I could get a new emitter and pommel 1/16" larger in OD on the visible part, I'd press on with this. I know he can machine down the hilts himself, so I could always get him to shave 1/16" off the hilt and extension (or ribbed section when it comes in.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y255/rshuck/empire1.jpg

LAN-ED-TUL
03-16-2006, 04:55 AM
ya, thats what i was kinda thinking too. tim might machine certain parts for you so it would fit like ya want, guess all there is left to do is ask him.

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