EL WIRE:  Overvoltaging  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: frogblender
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2017, 08:39:49 pm
content: I bought cheapo EL wire, with the driver (see pic). The little driver box runs from two AA. I've replaced the AA's with an adjustable DC-DC.Cranking up the voltage beyond the nominal 3.0v it'd see from alkaline AA's, the following happens:- EL wire glows brighter with increasing voltage- Audible squeal (known to all EL aficionados) increases in frequency. At 4.0volts, the squeal is almost beyond my range of hearing.- Current draw increases exponentially (3.3v@.29 = 1W; 4.0@.5A = 2W).I was too chicken to go beyond 4.0 volts, lest I be out $10. I want it to glow brighter. Increasing the frequency of the squeal to above human hearing is a bonus.So the questions:Has anyone overvoltaged these to immediate failure?Has anyone run these things long-term at higher voltages? If so, what voltage, and is it still working?

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2017, 08:53:59 pm
content: Running something beyond its design voltage is never a good idea. For all you know you could have already damaged it or shortened its life.

author: frogblender
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2017, 09:04:47 pm
content: Quote from: Hero999 on February 02, 2017, 08:53:59 pmWell, frankly, Duh. If this was a controller for an airplane rudder or some otherIT-WORKS-OR-PEOPLE-DIE!mission-critical application, I'd worry. But cosmetic glow-wire for somebody's Tron costume or arcade cabinet?I'd like to hear from someone who hasspecific experience overdriving EL wire & drivers only- I am NOT looking for generic advice or opinions.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2017, 09:39:31 pm
content: Quote from: frogblender on February 02, 2017, 09:04:47 pmThere's a risk of shock and burns if the EL wire overheats, so no bad idea.

author: Ice-Tea
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2017, 09:48:02 pm
content: Quote from: frogblender on February 02, 2017, 09:04:47 pmNot sure if that works on a forum. Everyone has an opinion.And we'd be negligent if we did not point out the possible danger. If the EL glows brighter, this means the voltage, the frequency or both have increased. This will shorten the already-not-so-awesome lifetime of EL. In addition, the higher voltage may cause the EL to experience dielectric breakdown. The higher frequency may cause minor manufacturer defects to overheat more than usual and in the end burn through.That is not even taking the poor driver into account. Chinese EL drivers have marginal design margins at the best of times. Overloading them will not be kind to them.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2017, 12:29:47 am
content: The EL wire itself will survive higher voltage within reason, at some point it will flash over but below that what will happen is the phosphor will age much faster the harder you drive it. Lifespan and lumen maintenance has always been a challenge for EL, even under ideal conditions it doesn't last very long.I suspect what will happen before anything flashes over is that the transistor in the inverter will exceed its voltage rating and fail catastrophically.