Parks Sabres ROTJ Luke Sabre

Hi.

This is my first ever post, so be gentle with me.

I have a Parks Sabre's ROTJ Luke hilt. It has a beautiful led indicator that goes up and down, and a green EL blade.

Attachment 14226

When I got it (from a Transformers convention of all places), it didnt work. Yet the hilt was so well made and just lacking in a little tlc i bit the bullet and just bought it. I have stripped it back, re soldered some dodgy bits of snagged wire and so on. Long story even longer, it works now. Frankly, the hilt is so beautiful if it never does more than just look beautiful as a display piece, ill be more than happy.

However............

If not sound, I want a better blade. So here are a few questions, and a little look at the hilt its self............ coz we all love to tinker with a fighty glow sword!

a) Can anyone tell me the actual diameter of an LED. The Parks hilts have a 3/4 inch neck, with a 1 1/8th (internal diameter) handle. Can i turn/adapt an led to fit, is there something specific that will do the job?

b) the inverter sends 8.7 volts to the EL blade. Allowing for a variance in the age of the battery etc, can i just put a resistor on the output down to 3.7 for green LEDs and make a stringe blade custom?

Many thanks for any help you could push my way. If not, ill find a way. I just think a 3/4 inch tube will struggle getting light to travel enough to light a blade to the tip with authority?

Cheers, smsno


ps, me polishing my shaft............. of mt laser sword.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzUL4RQazuo

Converting an EL saber to a LED saber will require replacing all the electronics. The two technologies are not compatible with each other. You can probably reuse the switches, but that's about it.

thank you Mr Serpant.

im sure the output of the inverter was 9 volts? would it be 9v AC not DC perhaps?

any way, can anyone tell me the outer diameter of an led and housing available in the shop?

I think dimensions are stated on the relevant page in store :)

The LED Star is 20mm. There are various LED "holders" measure your diameter and check the store, the diameters are listed.

http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/Bl...n-MHS-C15.aspx
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/He...bes-P1027.aspx
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/88...ole-P1138.aspx
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/MH...k-V3-P782.aspx
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/MH...tyle-P841.aspx
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/MH...Sink-P940.aspx

yes!

i was looking in the wrong place

you little legend!

9v batteries have the voltage, but they can't output the current needed to run a high-powered LED. The EL tech is before my time, but I believe the inverters provide AC current instead of the DC needed for LED applications. In any case, you can't use EL boards with LEDs.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Silver Serpent

9v batteries have the voltage, but they can't output the current needed to run a high-powered LED. The EL tech is before my time, but I believe the inverters provide AC current instead of the DC needed for LED applications. In any case, you can't use EL boards with LEDs.

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This is correct. The inverter outputs 120v AC, not DC.

so, update

Attachment 14264

around 150 leds all run off one of the resistors i use for the nave lights on model kits. looks awful, so i did a little digging. Im building on a budget, and learning as i go.

So, a new battery and a better resistor aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand...

Attachment 14265

Thats how much brighter is is than the stock EL Parks blade.

Trying to find packing foam at retain in the uk is near impossible. And i tried to order a blade, but the carriage from TCSS was ASTROBLOODYNOMICAL! so i have improvised with some white sheet plastic film, and a rolled up but if greaseproof paper for some diffusion aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand.........

Boom, colour me happy for now.
Attachment 14266

Now to go sneak off with dads multi meter and see if the parks switch with the led bar thingy will power the string.............................

peace!