my first lightsaber

[pthomas625]

hi, i'm completely new to lightsaber building. just a few questions...1)what do you prefer? led or el blade? 2)for el blade, is the purple as dim as it is in the picture? 3)will it hurt to run the 4 kHz inverter with a 9v to 18v adapter? 4) i'm not looking to build a completely custom saber, so does this shopping list look like it covers everything?

Body of Hilt:
Screw on EL blade holder style 5
MHS ribbed extension v-grooved
12x 1-3/16" ID O-ring
Double threaded hilt style 3

Pommel:
MPS Clip
MPS Insert style 1
MPS Pommel style 1

Blade:
EL blade - Blue
Size?: 40"

Wiring:
1/4" Mono Jack
9v to 18v adapter
4Khz Inverter
SPST Push on/off - Mom switch with black button
Black rubber switch boot
Red LED indicator


p.s. do i need anything extra for the red led indicator? and what exactly does it do? lol. does it just turn on when the blade's on? or is it a low-battery indicator?

Thanks in advance for any tips, help, suggestions etc.

[Barmic Rin]

Why not LED?

1)I love my EL, but they don't get a look-in now I have my LED's!
2)Brighter than EL. (Brightest in my experience are Purple & Green, blue seems especially washed out IMHO)
3)Less wiring to worry about (I hate inverters!)
4)That should cover it.

[pthomas625]

well, i initially chose EL because it looks simpler. and cheaper i think. i also chose it so i could change out blade colors easier. and i like the even lighting with EL. i'm not too worried about wiring, unless it's really complicated. and you say purple EL is brightest? cause purple was my initial choice.

lol, how well do the LED hilts work as flashlights? (without the blade)

[Barmic Rin]

Very Well!

You could always use Tims quick -change LED system if you wanna change colours.

EL & LED are two different leagues entirely!!!!

[pthomas625]

yeah, i've seen that. i still have a few specific questions though. the 4kHz inverter says it handles 9v-12v. would it be save to use 18v with it? and does anyone know what the brightest blade is?

[Novastar]

pthomas... please look at the EL blade Q&A section.

http://thecustomsabershop.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=13

I'd be surprised if what you're doing couldn't be figured out from A to Z there since EL is now fairly old, and much has been figured out with it.

I'm not sure that making an EL setup is actually cheaper than an LED one, but then again I've only heard that from some of the saber designers themselves...

I have an EL board if anyone wants it. I have no use for it.

[xwingband]

yeah, i've seen that. i still have a few specific questions though. the 4kHz inverter says it handles 9v-12v. would it be save to use 18v with it? and does anyone know what the brightest blade is?

It should be fine. You are taking off the life of the EL and basically Tim doesn't guarantee it at that voltage.

Brightest blade? As in color? Lime is the best EL color. Red the dimmest.

[pthomas625]

ok, thanks. i'll look at that post. what's an EL board? and does ...say...running an EL blade on 18v make it any brighter than on 9v?

[Barmic Rin]

Is Tim's Lime the same as Park's Green?
That gives the best effect from any EL i've come across.

[pthomas625]

well, i guess my real question with the brightest blade is...how is the purple rated? brighter or dimmer than average?