Driving an EL panel.

dr pepper

Well-Known Member

Most Helpful Member

• Sep 13, 2015

• #1

So I need 200-250v, no problem building an inverter.
The question I have is do I need a current limiting resistor like a neon?, or just bung the voltage across the panel.

 

granddad

Well-Known Member

Most Helpful Member

• Sep 13, 2015

• #2

Hi Doc I need a small EL panel 45mm x 126mm do you have a source pls ?

 

audioguru

Well-Known Member

Most Helpful Member

• Sep 13, 2015

• #3

In Google there are some home made inverters that have their outputs connected directly to an EL panel. The frequency determines the current and brightness with 1kHz as maximum for long panel life but one used 1200Hz.
One guy measured 127VAC but I bet his multimeter cannot measure the high frequency accurately since it was probably designed to measure 50Hz and 60Hz.
They say DO NOT power the inverter without an EL panel as its load.

 

dr pepper

Well-Known Member

Most Helpful Member

• Sep 14, 2015

• #4

Nope sorry, I'm re-purposing old equipment.

 

granddad

Well-Known Member

Most Helpful Member

• Sep 14, 2015

• #5

Thanks doc think I have found almost the right thing at **broken link removed** .

 

C

Colin

Active Member

• Sep 17, 2015

• #6

The output voltage should be about 100v to 120v and no more.
The frequency is about 400Hz from what I can remember.
We had thousands of metres of EL cable. Over 30 years we sold about 20 metres.
It was all thrown on the tip.
It never took off.

 

dr pepper

Well-Known Member

Most Helpful Member

• Sep 17, 2015

• #7

i found out a el is a light emmiting capacitor and needs ac i have an old piece oc kit that has an el lit front panel.