I just stumbled upon Electroluminescent Wire (EL wire) while searching for something else. But now I’m intrigued about EL wire use for HO scale neon lightning effects.
The smallest EL wire diameter I’ve found, from various online vendors, is 0.9mm. This seems small enough for general use in HO scale. It also comes in a variety of colors.
Has anyone used EL wire for lighting effects on their HO scale layout? I’d love to see photos and appreciate any suggestions from those who have used EL wire.
Miller Engineering uses Electroluminescent (EL) wire in their model signs, must be other manufacturers who do the same out there.
I actually came across this post for a different reason, but I have had customer’s use EL Wire for carnival models before. They turned out really cool. The site that has more information on the carnival models is http://tjscarnivaloflights.com/. The site that he gets the EL wire from is http://www.ellumiglow.com. Hope that helps
Electroluminescent Wire (EL Wire) and panels are very cool, as you will see when you check out the miller engineering link provided above.
EL wire, requires AC power, not DC. It can be illuminated with some considerable danger, with household AC power, (I do not recommend experimenting with it in this way) but it will not glow nearly as brightly as it does when powered by an appropriate inverter driver circuit. With a driver circuit it can be illuminated with batteries.
EL wire is composed of a copper wire coated with phosphor with two fine, wires wound around it, all covered by an insulating sheath.
I have not used EL wire in any modeling projects to date but it seems well suited for illuminated signage and animated signs with further electronics providing a pattern of illumination. It also seems as though it could be used to simulate fluorescent tube lighting on a scale model.
Miller Eng sells power supplies that are appropriate for their various EL products. They are a wall wart transformer with the correct output voltage and can power a number of signs.
One note, do not touch an EL sign when it’s running; you will get a high volt, low amp zap if you do. Been there, done that! [:$]
Thanks for all the info.
I have a few of Miller Engineering’s earlier non animated “neon” signs on my layout. Very nice effect. They look really nice on this kitbashed Bachmann motel:
EL Wire sounds like it might work for building outlining. I have an idea for a future project and might look into the small diameter wire for outlining a building.
Yes, Miller Eng. has them and they are available from a few other places I’ve found that sell EL wire, OR you can build your own with a transformer, a transistor, 2 resistors and a capacitor and power it with a battery or other supply. The panels and wire are pretty flexible when it comes to power. It’s actually a combination of voltage and frequency that drives them and determines the brightness and lifespan of the panel/wire.
Interesting about the EL panels giving shocks, I hadn’t heard that before. I don’t think the EL wire poses a shock hazard if it is terminated properly.