Hello folks, long time lurker, first time poster...
So, MANY many many years ago (like, maybe 2002?) I purchased a Parks EL saber, and it's been a largely delightful piece to have on display. However, I feel it's time to bring it up to a more modern standard. There are two things I'd like to do. 1) Upgrade the battery from an old-fashioned 9v battery to a rechargable Li-Ion, like a 18650 or some such, and 2) build a decorative LED-equipped emitter plug.
I've noticed that people have taken old Parks sabers and completely converted them, which is definitely *way* more than I'm intending. My EL blade still works just as well as it did when it was new, and I'm happy enough with it, so I'd like to maintain its current functionality. But I hate having to buy and replace those stupid 9v batteries, and it fits so awkwardly in the saber that I just want to do away with it. And I'm really quite fond of the 6.35mm phono jack connection it uses, and I think it could make for a pretty nifty (and secure) connection for a decorative emitter plug.
Thing is, I have no idea what I'm doing. My knowledge of electronics is...decent, if not rather basic, but to change the battery to a completely different voltage I'm certain would mean designing a different driver circuit, which extends just a bit outside of my knowledge base. The emitter plug...well, I'm largely just wondering if anyone else has ever made one for a Parks hilt, and I'm curious to see what/how they did, get a little inspiration.
Thanks for humoring me!
Edit: I was just musing on an EL project I had for my car a while back when my brain flashed with what I learned about how EL drivers work. I am forced to accept the fact that I will likely never get an emitter plug to light up with an LED in its current configuration. Well, at least not for more than a fraction of a second, before the LED pops. I'd still like to see if anyone's crafted a decorative emitter plug for one of these before.
So, MANY many many years ago (like, maybe 2002?) I purchased a Parks EL saber, and it's been a largely delightful piece to have on display. However, I feel it's time to bring it up to a more modern standard. There are two things I'd like to do. 1) Upgrade the battery from an old-fashioned 9v battery to a rechargable Li-Ion, like a 18650 or some such, and 2) build a decorative LED-equipped emitter plug.
I've noticed that people have taken old Parks sabers and completely converted them, which is definitely *way* more than I'm intending. My EL blade still works just as well as it did when it was new, and I'm happy enough with it, so I'd like to maintain its current functionality. But I hate having to buy and replace those stupid 9v batteries, and it fits so awkwardly in the saber that I just want to do away with it. And I'm really quite fond of the 6.35mm phono jack connection it uses, and I think it could make for a pretty nifty (and secure) connection for a decorative emitter plug.
Thing is, I have no idea what I'm doing. My knowledge of electronics is...decent, if not rather basic, but to change the battery to a completely different voltage I'm certain would mean designing a different driver circuit, which extends just a bit outside of my knowledge base. The emitter plug...well, I'm largely just wondering if anyone else has ever made one for a Parks hilt, and I'm curious to see what/how they did, get a little inspiration.
Thanks for humoring me!
Edit: I was just musing on an EL project I had for my car a while back when my brain flashed with what I learned about how EL drivers work. I am forced to accept the fact that I will likely never get an emitter plug to light up with an LED in its current configuration. Well, at least not for more than a fraction of a second, before the LED pops. I'd still like to see if anyone's crafted a decorative emitter plug for one of these before.
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