The final customer saber of 2007 is leaving the shop tomorrow, so now I can concentrate on building sabers "I" want to build.

I am going to do a saber similar to the brass-laden saber that Corbin ended up buying from me. This version will have many of the features I originally wanted on the first incarnation, but was too pressed for time to implement.

One thing this new saber will have is a wrapping of EL wire on the ribbed section. It may be cliche now, but I like it and want it on this newest saber.

The problem I am running into is how to power everything. I was thinking of using the 2+2 14500 Li-Ion pack I have (1500mAh) to power the LED and the EL wire, but would the EL wire even light decent at that voltage? Would there be too much drain on the pack to give decent runtimes?

My other option I considered was a 4.8v NiMH pack from TCSS for the LED and the CFSC board, then a 9V rechargeable battery for the EL. I would have to figure out a charging option for the 9V or I would have to open up the hilt to charge it.

I am thinking two switches, one for each feature, so I can have the EL wire when I want, and not when I don't.

Thoughts?