[sdiy] Diffused LEDs tip

[J. Larry Hendry]

I have been running some for quite a while from 120V 60Hz line Ac and using
them for stage lighting (so I can see stuff when the lights are off).  I
know they are supposed to run at high frequency.  But, I have had no
problems running them this way and just forgetting the inverter.  Am I
totally screwing up?  Anyone else done this?

Larry

----- Original Message -----
From: <jays at aracnet.com>
To: <synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl>
Sent: Tuesday, July 27, 2004 11:49 AM
Subject: RE: [sdiy] Diffused LEDs tip


There are some issues that may make EL technology hard to use. They run at a
high AC voltage. Usually between 80-160 volts so they require an inverter.
These aren't all the expensive. Real problem is that some of these are made
really cheap with minimal bypass and square waves which give nasty harmonics
causing pretty nasty noise. The newer inverters usually run above 50 kHz but
the EL panels are modulated at 150 - 1000 Hz. So some additional shielding
and power supply conditioning may be required to keep noise from getting
into the audio/synth circuits.

Jay S.

Bert Schiettecatte <bschiett at etro.vub.ac.be> wrote :

> Thanks for the tip. I knew about EL but never looked into it since I'm
> looking for a way to mix red, green and blue light to create any colour
> I want.. I haven't found an EL material that does all three colours?
> Also, somebody told me EL is not very bright? I'm trying to make a
> visual effect in the dark so maybe the level of EL is adequate...
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
> [mailto:owner-synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl]
> On Behalf Of J. Larry Hendry
> Sent: dinsdag 27 juli 2004 14:03
> To: synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
> Subject: Re: [sdiy] Diffused LEDs tip
>
>
> All Electronics often has an assortment of these electroluminescent
> strips (EL).  I see they have one now that is 3" x 3.1" catalog
#
> EL-8.
> That's not much bigger than 6cm (where's my calculator?). 1-800-826-5432
> www.allelectronics.com One thing you have to watch with them. They are
> surplus.  If you find what you want, but all of them you need.  You
> cannot always count on them having them later. Larry
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <mikael at mikmo.dk>
> Or what about those light panels used to illuminate backlit notebook
> monitors, sometimes they are really cheap at the electronic goldmine,
> right now i just can't remember what they are called, and maybee they
> are a little on the large side for a 6 cm x 6 cm panel.
> www.goldmine-elec.com
>
> Citat "Metzger, Michael A" <MAMETZGER at partners.org>:
>
> > Best way I've seen to evenly illuminate a panel is to is to.....place
> > it
> in
> > front of an illuminated panel. For 6cm x 6cm I'd suggest about
frosted
>
> > 4 LED's behind a frosted panel. Then on top of that place the panel
> > you want to
> light
> > up. It works best if the final panel is frosted or has a pattern on
it
> (photo
> > transparency, etc).
> >
> >
> > ----Original Message-----
> > From: owner-synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
>
> > [mailto:owner-synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl]On
> Behalf Of Bert
> > Schiettecatte
> > Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2004 5:22 PM
> > To: synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
> > Subject: RE: [sdiy] Diffused LEDs tip
> >
> >
> > I tried something like that a while ago... Seems to work, but it is
> > not easy to really do a uniform lighting. Most of the time you still
> > see the light pattern thrown by the LED lens...
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: owner-synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
>
> > [mailto:owner-synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl]
> On Behalf Of Tim Heffield
> > Sent: zondag 25 juli 2004 23:05
> > To: Synth-Diy
> > Subject: RE: [sdiy] Diffused LEDs tip
> >
> >
> > You might try putting polished aluminium foil on three sides and the
> > bottom (assuming it is clear acrylic)and then light it from the one
> > side edge without the foil.  You could lightly sand the top side or
> > spray it with the "Glass Frosting" spray to evenly diffuse
the
> light.
>
> > You would have to play with how many LEDs it will take to evenly
light
>
> > it.
> >
> > --Tim
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: owner-synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
>
> > [mailto:owner-synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl]On
> Behalf Of Bert
> > Schiettecatte
> > Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2004 4:38 PM
> > To: synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
> > Subject: RE: [sdiy] Diffused LEDs tip
> >
> >
> > Now that we're on the topic, anyone got experience designing and
> > implementing light guides for LED lighting? I've been trying to find
a
>
> > cheap way to light a piece of acrylic 6cm x 6cm in a uniform way
using
>
> > LED(s). Sort of a light tile ...