Not a dumb question. I'm looking into this, but not as my next solution. The stock bulbs run at 1.5 and 3 watts, if I remember correctly. Anything bright enough to make a good light source to work through a blue filter will generate significantly more heat, which will not be a good thing.

So is there some circuitry attached to the sheet then? Unless they've invented something new since I last worked with the stuff, EL runs off high voltage AC.

potfish

The kit I got comes with a very compact 12volt DC to AC converter. It is separate from but attached to the sheet.

You're one smart cookie (maybe even two smart cookies)! And thanks for making me not feel dumb :thumbup:

another option would be to use LED's instead of bulbs - LEDs generate significantly less heat than bulbs, and some LEDs are very bright for the amount of power that they draw.

PM replied to :)

I ordered about 35 LEDs of different brightnesses, colors, viewing angles, etc. for an S2000 project that I just haven't had time to play with. Even the LEDs that crank out 9000 mcd only suck up about 20-30 mA, and generated heat is negligable (considerably less than a bulb).

White LEDs will cost you $3/piece, blue LEDs, while coming down in price, still cost >$3 (contrary to what my PM said). The white LEDs are roughly 2-3000 mcd, so bright enough for this app, but I'm not sure how few you can get away with.

Either way, even with my stock lighting I can't easily see the numbers when the top is down, the sun is behind me, and my sunglasses are on. If that problem can be solved with a replacement bulb/LED, I'm all over it.

Ok, I talked to an EL expert. I think I have a solution that is going to work. I can safely add a 2nd inverter, effectively doubling the power to the sheet. This will result in 20-25% more brightness, which should be enough. I already ordered the inverter, and hopefully it will be here in time for me to put it in this weekend! Update to follow...:)

DJ Qube= S2000's most creative mod developer

Hmmmm, I would tend to question simply plugging in a 2nd inverter in parallel. The output is a high-frequency AC signal, and unless you get the phase matched between the two inverters, the power of one could (i.e., most likely) cancel the power of the 2nd. You need more juice to get a brighter panel, that's true, but this isn't the way to do it...you need a single inverter that can output a greater amount of juice.

I'm in like slim on this one!