EL wire, or electroluminescent wire, is a flexible wire coated in phosphor. Apply the appropriate voltage and it lights up! It looks a lot like a thin flexible neon tube. They come in many bright colors (check below for other colors) and can be driven pretty easily with an inverter. Check below for compatible inverters as well.
This particular wire glows bluish green and is 3m (almost 10 feet) in length, 2.3mm in diameter and is terminated with a JST PH connector. This connector works directly with our two driver boards, the El Escudo and the EL Sequencer. Or, you can wire them directly into the output of an inverter.
(The video states they are 6 foot in length, but they are actually 10 feet in length)
If it requires power, you need to know how much, what all the pins do, and how to hook it up. You may need to reference datasheets, schematics, and know the ins and outs of electronics.
Skill Level: Rookie - You may be required to know a bit more about the component, such as orientation, or how to hook it up, in addition to power requirements. You will need to understand polarized components.
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We welcome your comments and suggestions below. However, if you are looking for solutions to technical questions please see our Technical Assistance page.
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I have a backpack that I take with me pretty much everywhere I go. I bike around Boston a LOT (I averaged 12 miles a day last summer), and a lot of that is at night. I use this wire to light up my backpack, and it works remarkably well, it's visible from a long distance without being blindingly bright, and looks cool doing it.
I used to use a single strand to light the pack, but that would break from over-flexing after only 1-3 weeks. I discovered that if I twisted two wires together, then folded them over and twisted them back on each other, I could make a 4-strand rope that holds up much better, and lasts 6-8 months. I highly recommend it, or putting this stuff inside some clear flexible tubing.
Hey are you guys able to take a photo of this el wire in use as I would like to see the colour...in a dark room if possible...its for my torn costume...thanks
Waiting To be in stock
Is there any time frame for when this item might be back in stock? Thanks!
Sorry, no ETA at the moment. We're waiting on the supplier to get back to us, sorry!
I read somewhere that this stuff (blue-green EL wire) changes color slightly as the frequency changes. Can any SFE folks verify this?
Why yes it does:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gROEIlym6Dw