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Author Topic: “EL” Electro Luminescent Panels  (Read 4617 times)
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WA2SQQ
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« on: January 09, 2018, 09:02:02 AM »

I’m doing some restoration work that will require two “EL” Electro Luminescent panels that measure 3 3/8” x 1”. These are used for back lighting. The electrical connections need to be along the 1” side. I’ve found a few vendors that have slightly larger pieces, but it’s unknown if you can easily cut these to size without causing a reduction in brightness along the cut edges? Some article says yes, others say no. Has anyone played with these and can anyone recommend any possibly surplus sources? Blue or white would be desired.
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WBear2GCR
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« Reply #1 on: January 10, 2018, 07:45:39 PM »

I would give some consideration to another approach - if you have adequate "thickness" space available.

Grab a dead flat screen TV.
Take apart the thing, disassemble the stuff behind and in front of the actual LCD element.
You'll all the "right stuff" for edgelighting and diffusing... you can then cut to size.

(plus you get some jim dandy LED lighting strips too!)

Same thing for old laptop screens... given the light output of LEDs today, even a set up with a low %
of the light making it through the front (doing what the EL does) will be more than sufficient, imo.

                                      _-_-
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_-_- bear WB2GCR                   http://www.bearlabs.com
WA2SQQ
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« Reply #2 on: January 11, 2018, 08:56:58 AM »

I tried that approach. The problem is that II don't have that much space behind the LCD display, and the LED's produced "hot spots" that were really visible.
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WBear2GCR
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« Reply #3 on: January 15, 2018, 07:50:03 PM »

Mmmmph... dunno.
I've never messed with EL stuff... except to buy a nightlight on closeout... it was nice, but
did not last that long. Probably why it was on closeout?

Well, they do that trick WITH LEDs in cell phones!
Maybe you can round up a very dead cellphone and scavenge the rear side of the display??
That's sure to be thin enough! Cheesy

            _-_-

EDIT: they do the same trick on back lit LCD displays too! Another place to look...
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« Reply #4 on: January 16, 2018, 08:56:26 AM »

So I found the exact replacement I need, for ~ $10
https://elwirecraft.co.uk/product/replacement-el-backlight-25mm-x-120mm-for-realistic-scanner/

I have a nightlight called Lumalight that GE made. My Mom bought it for my bedroom when I was a kid. This one is about 55 years old! It still works though at ~50% of its original brightness. The two Radio Shack scanners that I just rebuilt are almost 30 years old, so I can't complain. They've also lost ~50% of their brightness. By time the replacements fail, radio as we know it will be gone!
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