Fez Time

This week its Halloween and so that means dressing up time.

As I’m heading out to 2 dance events, I decided that my fez needed EL Wire to compliment this EL T-Shirt

The shirt already has a spare connector feeding one of the channels to the neck.

First up was to attach a connector to the length off-cut green 3.2 dia wire.

There are methods on the internet of how to do this.  But for the record, here is what I do.......

• Strip the outer sleeve and exposing the 2 corona wires.
• Wrap copper tape round the remaining outer jacket.
• Stick the corona wires between the copper tape layers.
• Trim the core wire and add solder to the core wire and the copper tape.
• Prepare wires of suitable length for soldering.
• solder the core wire and enclose with heat shrink.
• Second wire soldered to copper tape.
• Lots of heat shrink jackets to keep insulated and add strength.
• Ensure the EL wire works at each stage.

The key thing is to ensure that the core wires cannot touch the corona wires as this causes a short and kills the light.

I was not bothered about the looks of this connection as it will be hidden under the hat...

Position the wire with masking tape...

Select the biggest needle you can find and sew on with fishing wire...

 Finished...

 See you all on Halloween...

Add a spot of face paint. The diagonal EL Wire inspired a few lines on the face. 

 

Apparently people found it difficult to focus on my face. 

 

Frog xx

 

Dotty Jacket

Up to now, I'd mainly been using 3.2 diameter EL wire for my work, along with the odd heart shape.

Browsing the internet, I found that the EL shapes came in many colours and shapes.

I'd recently bought a new jacket in a charity shop.  Got it home and kind of changed my mind about keeping it.  Anyway, I stuck it in the wardrobe instead of taking it back.

The jacket had a thin grid of white lines and the following idea was developed:

Design a jacket that:

1) flashed automatically
2) was colourful
3) was arty
4) was amazing
5) would challenge me

The following pictures show the plans:

The shape, colour and channel number of each position:

I decided to make a feature of the wires by having them on the outside.

Working on possible wiring plans.  This one I didn't do.

This one I didn't do.

This one I did.

  Then I began to attach the wires and solder the shapes:

   

Some details of my wires, cable ties and shapes:

The Jacket was all wired up.  Front, back and sleeves:

I made some extension leads to allow me to hold the controller in my hand during operation.

The extension leads (channel 1+, 1-, 2+, 2-, 3+, 3-) take the sequencing signal to a small distribution board that is concealed in one of the pockets.

The board is covered to prevent damage (and shocks).

I also made some glasses from two red EL wire circles.  These connect via a trialing lead to the top of the jacket.

And as soon as it was finished, I had to record it working.........

The became my newest and favorite jacket.  (Until the next one that is.......... )

Having worn this out to events, parties, club nights and Glastonbury, I soon learnt that by having the wires on the outside makes the jacket very easy to damage.  I normally have to repair one or two or three solder joints the following day.

So I may never make another jacket with wires on the outside, but I think it was worth it just the once.

But, did the jacket:

1) flash automatically?  YES!
2) was colourful?  YES!
3) was arty?   YES!
4) was amazing?  YES I THINK SO!
5) would challenge me?   YES, I was challenged by the neat and exposed wires.

Frog xx

Skeleton Costumes

In October 2014...... It was time for my first commission!

Gulp.

The request was for me to supply his and hers flashing skeleton costumes with masks for a couple who were hosting a Halloween ball.  Designs were agreed and the fee arranged.

My google image search quickly gave me a nice pattern to follow...

Then I drew this planning image which had three channels on auto cycle:  

NOTE: when I ordered the EL stuff, I actually chose a 5 channel sequencer instead of the 3 channel.  So the image below is wrong.

Two black onesies were purchased and the assembly work began.Using chalk, I drew the pattern on and glued the EL wire to the onesies.  I took a million photos during this project, so here they all are:

Finally, I ended up with the finished skeletons.......

By the end of all that, I was getting pretty good and gluing and even better at terminating each piece of EL wire.

I don't like running EL wire under on the insides of costumes as the brightness can show through, So each individual  bone was cut to length and wired in separately.  There is as many meters of electrical wire INSIDE the costumes as there is EL wire OUTSIDE.

 The Masks were cheap eBay masks, some feathers, some EL shapes and wire and a lot of glue......

They clip to the main costume with a 2 pin connector.

For some reason, I purchased a wonder 5 channel sequencer instead of the 3 channel one.  So my skeleton design could now be split into 5.

I chose Head, Ribs, Arms, Pelvis & Legs.

Then shot this video with a rather predictable soundtrack.........

The costumes were finished and delivered on time!

Phew.

Frog xx