Floppy Disk Bag Retrofit: EL Wire

 by imanalchemist
Featured
DSCN0151.JPG
Since many of my classes this term will be at night and after seeing how cheap EL wire is, I decided to add some to my bag, since many of my classes this term will be at night. This will also increase visibility when using it as a bike bag.
What You Will Need:
EL Wire: To illuminate the edges of the standard matrix you will need 10' of 2.2mm wire
DC-AC Inverter: the EL wire I ordered came with an 3V (2AA battery) inverter but you can build
your own using the wonderfully written instructable How to Add EL Wire to a Coat or Other Garment
Screws: see the third step for more info.
 
Remove these adsRemove these ads by Signing Up

Step 1: Thread the EL Wire

DSCN0136.JPG
The EL wire fits snugly under the knots around the outside corners, I went around the edges, to illuminate the general shape; However you can easily thread it however you want or create your own designs.
MaruaderFox says: Sep 21, 2008. 5:10 PM
Which ebay seller do i buy the wire and inverter from???
imanalchemist (author) in reply to MaruaderFoxSep 22, 2008. 9:44 AM
Bid Online 777 is the person I got mine from
Sandisk1duo says: Sep 3, 2008. 8:10 PM
Awesome! how much was that inverter?
imanalchemist (author) in reply to Sandisk1duoSep 5, 2008. 2:19 AM
It came with the wire from that particular seller (eBay) but it is really no great shakes to build your own
Sandisk1duo in reply to imanalchemistSep 5, 2008. 3:27 PM
what output voltage?
imanalchemist (author) in reply to Sandisk1duoSep 5, 2008. 6:31 PM
That depends on the length and diameter of the EL wire you are using. Contact whomever is selling the EL wire. (I had a hard time finding a 3V DC-AC inverter so I just got the one the seller offered.)
Sandisk1duo in reply to imanalchemistSep 5, 2008. 9:57 PM
you could have made this one.
=SMART= says: Sep 4, 2008. 3:07 PM
Where can i get relatively cheap EL wire ??
imanalchemist (author) in reply to =SMART=Sep 5, 2008. 2:17 AM
$25 for 10' of 2.2mm wire and an inverter on eBay (including shipping)
=SMART= in reply to imanalchemistSep 5, 2008. 8:36 AM
awesome i can think of loads of cool projects to do !
fegundez1 says: Sep 4, 2008. 3:15 AM
where did you get the wire?
imanalchemist (author) in reply to fegundez1Sep 5, 2008. 2:19 AM
eBay, but there are plenty of sellers out there
noahh says: Sep 3, 2008. 7:29 PM
I wish this had come out earlier. I JUST finished my bag last weekend after a week of hard work.
jongscx in reply to noahhSep 4, 2008. 8:17 AM
that's the beauty of it... the EL wire just slips between the strings... it's a "RetroFit"...
FreshPineSent in reply to jongscxSep 4, 2008. 8:34 AM
The whole goddam thing is a retrofit!
jongscx in reply to FreshPineSentSep 4, 2008. 9:29 AM
not exactly. You're not Retrofitting the disks into a bag. You're Repurposing them because you are creating a new purpose for the items. You are However, Retrofitting the EL wire into the disk-bag because you're fitting a component into a pre-existing object.
thermoelectric says: Sep 3, 2008. 11:14 PM
That looks so cool
aliceownsj00 says: Sep 3, 2008. 11:07 PM
That is so cute haha in that geeky way. I'd so use it on a daily basis!
Pro

Get More Out of Instructables

Already have an Account?

close

PDF Downloads
As a Pro member, you will gain access to download any Instructable in the PDF format. You also have the ability to customize your PDF download.

Upgrade to Pro today!