EL Wire night

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Akiba

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Jul 31, 2012, 1:14:08 AM7/31/12

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If there’s no sourcing plan yet, I’ll take inventory of what I have. Need to check how many battery powered inverters I have available too.

Akiba

FreakLabs Open Source Wireless

> https://groups.google.com/d/msg/tokyohackerspace/-/G3pKOWwIvyAJ.

Richard Frankum

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Jul 31, 2012, 1:48:15 AM7/31/12

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On Tue, Jul 31, 2012 at 2:07 PM, Akiba <ch...@freaklabs.org> wrote:
> Most likely with as much as you purchase. However I haven’t seen a plan for
> sourcing the EL wire yet.
>
> Richard: Will people need to buy EL wire before they come or will you be
> providing it on site? My supply is fairly limited at the moment.

1) I've heard we have a "big bag" of EL Wire at the space.
2) If it's just a night to learn how to solder EL, there isn't a need for a lot.
3) I completely forgot about supplying it.

So, Akiba my EL Wire Guy, how do I go about buying this stuff? Will an
online order get here in time? If so, I'll order a few dozen meters.

> Akiba

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--Richard Frankum

Akiba

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Jul 31, 2012, 2:25:53 AM7/31/12

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Unfortunately, an online order with a wholesaler would take about two weeks
and would require quite a bit in wire transfer fees and shipping. I believe
we do have a bag of EL wire at the space. MRE might be able to confirm that.
I have some battery powered inverters but I'd need a rough estimate of how
many that are needed. If we're soldering EL wire, then you're right and we
probably don't need so much. We will need the following materials though. I
can help with some of them:

1) copper tape
2) EL wire leads (wires with male JST SM connectors)
3) heat shrink tubing
4) wire strippers
5) EL wire end caps
6) Optional, but useful: vice grips or something else to hold EL wire while
soldering
7) Soldering iron - We have 5 working ones I believe

For wire stripper, I only have 1 decent one. EL wire is a pain in the ass to
strip so having the right strippers makes your life a lot easier. I don't
have extra vice grips. Should be able to help out with the other small
parts.

Akiba
FreakLabs Open Source Wireless
Web: http://www.freaklabs.org
Shop:http://www.freaklabsstore.com
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Richard Frankum

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Jul 31, 2012, 2:33:42 AM7/31/12

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Is it possible to buy wire retail somewhere, then?
I have a roll of copper tape as well.
We have a couple 'third hands', right?

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--Richard Frankum

Akiba

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Jul 31, 2012, 2:36:40 AM7/31/12

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You can purchase EL wire at Akiba LED or Sengoku in Akihabara. The premium
is a bit steep but it's a good backup, depending on how much EL wire you
need.

fakufaku

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Jul 31, 2012, 2:39:23 AM7/31/12

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I am not MRE but I can confirm we had a bag of EL wire before the move. I remember we put it on the heap to move to the new space. So it should be there. There were a bunch of inverters in the bag too and some more were in the cabinet (now in some box).

Torsten Wagner

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Jul 31, 2012, 2:45:07 AM7/31/12

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You are not MRE.... you kidding us right...
I always thought fakufaku is MREs artist name.
;)

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Richard Frankum

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Jul 31, 2012, 2:47:27 AM7/31/12

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> I am not MRE but I can confirm we had a bag of EL wire before the move. I remember we put it on the heap to move to the new space. So it should be there.
> There were a bunch of inverters in the bag too and some more were in the cabinet (now in some box).

I've seen the bag in the new space. Dunno which box it got put in,
I'll look for it tonight.
Inverters? I don't really know what to look for there.

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--Richard Frankum

dualdrinker

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Jul 31, 2012, 2:58:21 AM7/31/12

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Wire strippers arent really needed, we hands and a knife should be handy at all times.

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Taylan Ayken

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Jul 31, 2012, 3:43:14 AM7/31/12

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I also have some copper tape. + maybe we can use my wire strippers too (Leatherman ES4 aka Make: Circuit Breaker) Also Have some heat shrink tubing, but cannot remember the size, have to check on that, had a couple of different sizes.

I guess we have everything except the EL wire leads. Maybe we have some inside the EL wire bag.

From: Akiba <ch...@freaklabs.org>
To: tokyohac...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2012 3:25 PM
Subject: RE: [THS:19433] Re: EL Wire night

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Akiba

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Jul 31, 2012, 3:50:13 AM7/31/12

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Obviously, you haven’t stripped EL wire before. Although I normally wouldn’t mind such crude methods, there are some “intricacies” with EL wire that make stripping the wire with a hand and a knife a bit nasty. If you don’t mind a nonzero failure rate, then its okay, but I generally like having consistent wire strips with no failures.

Akiba

FreakLabs Open Source Wireless

From: tokyohac...@googlegroups.com [mailto:tokyohac...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of dualdrinker

Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2012 3:58 PM
To: tokyohac...@googlegroups.com

Akiba

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Jul 31, 2012, 3:51:45 AM7/31/12

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If they’re the fixed wire gauge strippers, they won’t work very well. It has to be exact. The best ones to use are the ones with pressure sensitivity since they almost always maintain the angel hair wire without cutting into them. Otherwise, you’d have to have the exact size holes or you’ll risk clipping off the angel wires.

Akiba

FreakLabs Open Source Wireless

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Taylan Ayken

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Jul 31, 2012, 4:55:34 AM7/31/12

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I have the exact size ones. I believe you are talking about sth like this: http://spatulatzar.com/igniters/stripper.jpg ?

If this is the one you mean, I was planning to get myself one anyways so they can have 2 during EL wire night.

From: Akiba <ch...@freaklabs.org>
To: tokyohac...@googlegroups.com

Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2012 4:51 PM
Subject: RE: [THS:19443] Re: EL Wire night

dualdrinker

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Jul 31, 2012, 4:58:50 AM7/31/12

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Thanks for the lessen - I think we are well prepared. Either way I am going to Akihabra this morning and am more than willing to join anyone if they plan to make some final purchases for EL wire night

Akiba

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Jul 31, 2012, 5:05:11 AM7/31/12

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No probs. Normal wire is fine to be stripped with scissors, knives, fingernails, teeth, or lighters. But EL wire requires a bit of nuance because there are two pesky wires that are about as thick as a strand of hair. Its always a pain to keep these wires intact when you strip the insulation.

Akiba

FreakLabs Open Source Wireless

Akiba

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Jul 31, 2012, 5:06:28 AM7/31/12

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Yeah, those are great for stripping EL wire (or most wire for that matter). But don’t get the cheap 100 yen type. The 2000 yen ones in Akihabara work well and mine has lasted a long time, especially since I have to strip a lot of wire for cable harnesses or EL work.

Richard Frankum

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Jul 31, 2012, 10:53:55 PM7/31/12

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The bag seems to have grown legs and walked away.

Akiba, can you maybe link pictures for these so I know what to look
for when I go shopping this weekend?

2) EL wire leads (wires with male JST SM connectors)

5) EL wire end caps

And what size heatshrink would I be looking for? Slightly larger than
the EL wire itself, right? 2.3 or 3.2mm?

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--Richard Frankum

Akiba

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Jul 31, 2012, 10:59:15 PM7/31/12

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I'll probably be hanging out in Akihabara this Sunday if you want to go
together. In fact, I'm thinking that since I have a tarp, as 12V battery,
and a wifi tethering android installation, I might just set up a hotspot and
do a chillaxing picnic at the park in front of 3331 Chiyoda this Sunday.
Anyone down for a picnic in Akihabara? The best thing is that it's not just
a picnic. It's a picnic with Akiba in Akiba.

Akiba
FreakLabs Open Source Wireless
Web: http://www.freaklabs.org
Shop:http://www.freaklabsstore.com
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> -----Original Message-----
> From: tokyohac...@googlegroups.com
> [mailto:tokyohac...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Richard Frankum
> Sent: Wednesday, August 01, 2012 11:54 AM
> To: tokyohac...@googlegroups.com

Torsten Wagner

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Aug 1, 2012, 1:18:16 AM8/1/12

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...in Akiba .... uhhhhh ..... no thanks ;)

dualdrinker

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Aug 1, 2012, 1:22:51 AM8/1/12

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Haha, I am in! Will conjure up some food ideas. Did any of you have the chance to meet to http://www.frantisekapfelbeck.org/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page , the 'food hacker' ? I shall try to match his conjurations.

Torsten Wagner

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Aug 1, 2012, 1:48:58 AM8/1/12

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He was a guest at THS and is/was on this list...

Totti

MRE

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Aug 1, 2012, 4:43:59 AM8/1/12

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Yeah he was a crazy interesting guy.

On Aug 1, 2:22 pm, dualdrinker <dualdrin...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Haha, I am in! Will conjure up some food ideas. Did any of you have the

> chance to meet tohttp://www.frantisekapfelbeck.org/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page, the

> 'food hacker' ? I shall try to match his conjurations.
>

> On Wed, Aug 1, 2012 at 2:18 PM, Torsten Wagner <torsten.wag...@gmail.com>wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > ...in Akiba .... uhhhhh ..... no thanks ;)
>
> > On 1 August 2012 11:59, Akiba <ch...@freaklabs.org> wrote:
> > > I'll probably be hanging out in Akihabara this Sunday if you want to go
> > > together. In fact, I'm thinking that since I have a tarp, as 12V battery,
> > > and a wifi tethering android installation, I might just set up a hotspot
> > and
> > > do a chillaxing picnic at the park in front of 3331 Chiyoda this Sunday.
> > > Anyone down for a picnic in Akihabara? The best thing is that it's not
> > just
> > > a picnic. It's a picnic with Akiba in Akiba.
>
> > > Akiba
> > > FreakLabs Open Source Wireless
> > > Web:http://www.freaklabs.org
> > > Shop:http://www.freaklabsstore.com
> > > Twitter:http://www.twitter.com/freaklabs
>
> > >> -----Original Message-----
> > >> From: tokyohac...@googlegroups.com
> > >> [mailto:tokyohac...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Richard Frankum
> > >> Sent: Wednesday, August 01, 2012 11:54 AM
> > >> To: tokyohac...@googlegroups.com
> > >> Subject: Re: [THS:19462] Re: EL Wire night
>

@japhigu

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Aug 6, 2012, 3:33:51 AM8/6/12

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So, how is the supply side looking? The EL wire bag didnt turn up AFAIK.

Richard Frankum

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Aug 6, 2012, 6:11:03 AM8/6/12

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On Mon, Aug 6, 2012 at 4:33 PM, @japhigu <duald...@gmail.com> wrote:
> So, how is the supply side looking? The EL wire bag didnt turn up AFAIK.

I bought about 20m of EL Wire yesterday. I'll need to check with Akiba
on the rest of the materials.
The packages that you can get at Akiba LED
(http://www.akiba-led.jp/product-list/12) come with inverters, but as
far as I know they're for automotive use so they take 12v DC. (Or, as
the package suggests, 14.4v?) Akiba said he'd supply battery-powered
inverters.

The calendar event is currently priced *without* materials, so the
price will go up. I'll try to set that tomorrow.

Please sign up if you're planning to come.
--Richard

@japhigu

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Aug 6, 2012, 8:35:58 PM8/6/12

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Afaik I already signed up.

Anyway, i have 2 simple questions:

a) 1500 non-member contribution and around 1000 for materials? Is that a fair estimate?

b) I would take the automotive setup as well. FOr mobile use, a little soldering should fix it for 14,4 V (arent there notebook batteries around that specifically use 14,4?)

Richard Frankum

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Aug 6, 2012, 9:25:40 PM8/6/12

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On Tue, Aug 7, 2012 at 9:35 AM, @japhigu <duald...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Afaik I already signed up.

The only way we verify signups are through the event page on the THS website.
There have been no signups for this event.

http://www.tokyohackerspace.org/en/event/2012-08-10-el-wire-night

If you want to sign up, fill in your email address and name in the
form on the bottom of the page. You'll receive a confirmation email to
that address.

I suspect that you applied for an account on tokyohackerspace.org.
That's different from an event signup, and you don't need a ths.org
account to sign up for events.

> Anyway, i have 2 simple questions:
>
> a) 1500 non-member contribution and around 1000 for materials? Is that a
> fair estimate?

I haven't confirmed with Akiba, but that sounds right. I'll update the
event page to add the materials cost.

> b) I would take the automotive setup as well. FOr mobile use, a little
> soldering should fix it for 14,4 V (arent there notebook batteries around
> that specifically use 14,4?)

Why don't you come to the workshop before you decide? You could either
jerry-rig a battery setup yourself, or use a different (lower-voltage)
inverter and standard battery case. I'm interested in seeing whether
there's a difference in brightness. We could use our bench supply to
get 14.4v, wouldn't be portable but it would give a comparison.

--Richard

Taylan Ayken

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Aug 10, 2012, 2:37:11 AM8/10/12

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So I'm coming tonight but I only took the door entry system parts. So no copper tape. Do you have it Richard? If notI'll make a slight detour to get it before coming to THS.

From: Richard Frankum <richard...@gmail.com>
To: tokyohac...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, August 7, 2012 10:25 AM
Subject: Re: [THS:19622] Re: EL Wire night

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Akiba

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Aug 10, 2012, 2:43:59 AM8/10/12

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I handed off some copper tape to Richard yesterday. He should have all the accessories needed except for wire stripper.

Akiba

FreakLabs Open Source Wireless

From: tokyohac...@googlegroups.com [mailto:tokyohac...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Taylan Ayken

Sent: Friday, August 10, 2012 3:37 PM
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Mikele

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Aug 10, 2012, 3:08:17 AM8/10/12

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I have the stripper, I can lend but she's expensive :)
really.. I will not come tonight, but if you happen to pass by shinnanomachi I can lend you the stripper, just need to know before I leave work.

on a bright note, I will be there tomorrow morning de-greasing.

Akiba

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Aug 10, 2012, 3:43:21 AM8/10/12

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Wait, you’ll be degreasing the stripper? What the hell are you guys doing at the new place?!

Akiba

FreakLabs Open Source Wireless

Chris Shannon

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Aug 10, 2012, 3:55:10 AM8/10/12

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don't worry we'll put down a tarp.

c

@japhigu

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Aug 11, 2012, 4:16:19 AM8/11/12

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Again, my sincerest apologies for my epic inability to read a calendar. I assume that you acquired some more raw material because of my registration - I wouldn't want any of it to go to waste so I wonder if it is possible for me to show up coming Tuesday or sth. like that and build what I had planned ? I will bring the fee with me, naturally. What do you say?

Richard Frankum

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Aug 11, 2012, 8:21:38 PM8/11/12

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We had two people learning how to solder the EL wire. I'd like to do
another EL night for actual projects, so if you actually have
something in mind to build, figure out how much wire you need and
we'll place an order through Akiba's supplier. We can use the EL I
have now to show beginners how to solder the connections as well.

--Richard

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--Richard Frankum

@japhigu

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Aug 14, 2012, 10:51:09 AM8/14/12

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OK my plan is to create some wearable gimmick with manually adjustable oscillating brightness AND a stationary version. I think, including fails, I might need around 1,5m of wire in the worst case and two assembly kits. How much would that lighten my wallet?

Akiba

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Aug 14, 2012, 11:10:15 AM8/14/12

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It gets a bit more complicated when you don’t want to do a simple on/off application. In that case, you’ll need to start incorporating some brains into the system to control things. To fade EL wire smoothly, you’ll need to PWM the DC inputs (12V) at a very high frequency. It’s easiest to use an Arduino but you’ll need to jack up the PWM speed around 8x or 16x. You’ll also need to solder together a board that incorporates a transistor switch and EL wire inverter. Apart from that, a standard EL wire kit that Richard has contains about 3m of wire. If it’s cost sensitive, I’d just recommend doing an on/off using the battery inverters and 3m of EL wire.

Akiba

FreakLabs Open Source Wireless