[Arcade] Electroluminescent Panel

[VMS]

I've been working on this for the better part of this year (in my head). Finally finished!

Artwork is based on the TRON arcade cabinet CP, re-created in vectors by myself. Flip the little switch on the back, and the artwork lights up thanks to Electroluminescent Panel:

http://imgur.com/q3SYB.jpg

http://imgur.com/dObtb.jpg

http://imgur.com/ZAOwJ.jpg

http://imgur.com/Lxwkc.jpg

http://imgur.com/K45Dc.jpg

The "EL Panel" is an A4-sized thin plastic sheet that runs on its own small power supply (9V battery). Found it for $50 on eBay. You can cut holes in it and it still runs. You must then re-laminate over the holes and cut them out again, leaving a seal. Some work-in-progress pics:

http://imgur.com/xczJe.jpg
Those 2 wires turn into ribbons and run along that 1 edge of the EL Panel. You can't cut through them, but can cut other holes wherever else you need for buttons & joystick. I Dremeled a few holes in the joystick base for internal wiring.

http://imgur.com/bUYU5.jpg
Closeup of the hole cutting & lamination seal. I just used a compass cutter.

http://imgur.com/j9hXb.jpg
Power Supply wired to a DPST rocker switch. 9V battery is in the main compartment next to the joystick mechanism.

http://imgur.com/gfoXR.jpg
The EL Panel itself powered OFF & ON in daylight.

http://imgur.com/1q1EJ.jpg
The EL Panel is sandwiched between the metal control panel and the artwork sheet, which needs to be printed on white backlit film.

I'm extremely happy with how this turned out, but it's quite difficult to get right. If you make a mistake while cutting the EL Panel, it's $50 down the drain. I can't see doing more than 1 or 2 of these per year.

Unfortunately, a full-sized arcade CP mod of this type would cost hundreds of dollars.

[ASSEMbler]

CCFL with a mirror?

[Borman]

That is awesome!

[VMS]

CCFL with a mirror?
Nope, the Electroluminescent Panel is just a paper-thin, flexible plastic sheet that lights up. No mirrors. It's stuck between the metal and the artwork. There's a thin layer of bioluminescent goo in there that glows when powered on.

It's the same stuff that's found in those small, flat, green panel nightlights, except I found an A4 size that's white.

It's in the photos above, stuck to the control panel. It's pink when powered off.

[ASSEMbler]

Nope, the Electroluminescent Panel is just a paper-thin, flexible plastic sheet that lights up. No mirrors. It's stuck between the metal and the artwork. There's a thin layer of bioluminescent goo in there that glows when powered on.

It's the same stuff that's found in those small, flat, green panel nightlights, except I found an A4 size that's white.

It's in the photos above, stuck to the control panel. It's pink when powered off.

I was suggesting as a substitute for the EL. The problem with EL is it burns out easy...

[VMS]

I was suggesting as a substitute for the EL. The problem with EL is it burns out easy...

Thanks. I have no experience with any of this. I couldn't use internal lighting due to the metal control panel. Dual sheets of thicker plexi could work but it still might flex or end up too thick.

I saw one guy mounted LEDs externally shining sideways onto his stick... :-(

[bacteria]

Impressive.

[ASSEMbler]

The EL is far classier than any led.

You should be proud with your work.

How long can the EL run on a 9V cell?

[VMS]

The EL is far classier than any led.
You should be proud with your work.
How long can the EL run on a 9V cell?

Thanks, ASSEMbler, I am really proud of it.

I've had the same 9V cell all year, toying with the EL nearly every day. Today I finally noticed it quickly getting dimmer, so it lasts a fair amount of time. I should get a couple rechargables, though...

[MentalMan]

Well done on the artwork, this looks amazing indeed. Looks almost like it popped out of a factory.