I'm working on my first EL wire project and I read lots of guides on how to solder the EL wire, all of them warning about cutting through the very thin radial wires that run outside of the phosphorous layer.
I tried a few times and it can be tricky, but I think I have a much easier way of doing it.
I'm not going to go into much detail about how the wire works or about the various layers that make up EL wire - I'm sure you will have read this elsewhere.
A couple of things that I found made this process easier (other than the usual EL wire tools) are:
- Solder flux pen - helps the solder take to the wire and copper tape
- Old computer CPU heatsink - by moving some of the fins closer together, it makes a perfect clamp for holding both wires while soldering, much better than croc clips because it doesn't damage the wire
- Sharp craft knife - I use a knife to cut through the EL wire outer coloured coating (but not for the clear inner coating)
I tried a few times and it can be tricky, but I think I have a much easier way of doing it.
I'm not going to go into much detail about how the wire works or about the various layers that make up EL wire - I'm sure you will have read this elsewhere.
A couple of things that I found made this process easier (other than the usual EL wire tools) are:
- Solder flux pen - helps the solder take to the wire and copper tape
- Old computer CPU heatsink - by moving some of the fins closer together, it makes a perfect clamp for holding both wires while soldering, much better than croc clips because it doesn't damage the wire
- Sharp craft knife - I use a knife to cut through the EL wire outer coloured coating (but not for the clear inner coating)
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Signing UpStep 1: Cutting the outer coating
I need my solder joints to be as small as possible for my project, so I only cut of 7mm off the outer coating, but you can cut more if you want to.
Measure what you need to cut and gently roll the EL wire with the blade, using just enough pressure to cut through the outer coloured coating. If you cut slightly into the inner coating, this isn't a problem, so long as you don't go completely though both.
Measure what you need to cut and gently roll the EL wire with the blade, using just enough pressure to cut through the outer coloured coating. If you cut slightly into the inner coating, this isn't a problem, so long as you don't go completely though both.
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Clear pictures, showing more than one angle for each step. Each step showing a single step in the process. Explanation as to why you should do it this way, but also exploring other options. And finally showing the completed project as photographed--not another one that they made up ahead of time.
100% nailed it.
The idea with hot glue shavings inside the heat shrink is very clever.
I used to work on El ribbons.
Most of the time, i had to repair the inverters after the FET's smoked away.
You ible is very well put-together and based solely on it, I think I could confidently handle soldering wires to EL wire (especially if I started with heavier stuff first..). Your pictures are well done (Would you mind telling us what you used? Cellphone with home-made macro lens?)
Thank you for taking the time to post this Ible.
Mike, from "DC".
The photos were taken on a HTC Mozart with a cheap 10x eye loupe in front of the camera lens for the close up pics.
For example: http://www.amazon.com/3PC-EYE-LOUPE-3X-10X/dp/B000XGGF0U/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1337332126&sr=8-12
is the finished project going to be an instructable?
thanks so much
Not sure that I will make an instructable out of the final project - it's overly complicated and I wish I could start it again.
I promise to do one for the next EL wire project - by then I will have learn from my mistakes!
Another alternative would be squirting silicone sealer on before sliding the tubing on. Another layer of tubing over all with a stiff "batten" to prevent flex would also help. EL wire is very fragile if exposed to any movement.