I Need Some Help

  •  October 7, 2005

Does anyone know how to modify electricity frequencies?
I’ve looked all over the place and can not find a diagram on how to change the frequency of electric power. I have been looking at a product called EL Wire (Electro Luminescent Wire). This product uses an electromagnetic field to excite a phosphorescent film that coats the inside of the wire, to be very basic.
The wire works best when the electricity is cycling at ~800 Hz. My goal is to find or build an interface device that takes standard household power (120v @60Hz) and converts it to a variable frequency and a variable voltage that can be controlled via X10 signal commands.
If anyone knows anything about this, your thoughts would be appreciated!

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  • http://Array Sigivald

    http://www.glowire.com/drivers.htm.

    These guys look to be willing to just sell you a DC->HF AC converter for 10-30 bucks.

    Combine that with an easily acquired 12VDC supply, and there you go.

    I totally wouldn’t try to build that yourself. Not worth it, at these prices.

  • Robert Perry

    There are various options depending on what output voltage you need. One of the simplest ways is to plug an audio amplifier (e.g. your stereo) in and have it amplify the tone from an 800Hz oscillator to drive your circuit. How to get 800Hz? Use your tape recorder to record the F or G above middle A on a piano to generate this–using a continuous loop tape, and you’re there.

  • http://SayAnythingBlog.com The_Whistler_ofnd

    A transformer works like this (theory only no practical adivice.)

    You have two sets of windings. Let’s say the power in side has 6 wraps. If the power out side has 12 that will double the voltage.

    That’s about what I know and it may even be backwards.

  • Fed up Bitch

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  • http://www.wholewheatblogger.com/ Steve

    What Robert said makes sense, but ideally you would need some type of variable voltage, variable frequency power inverter. That would basically take the 120V/60Hz AC line, convert it to DC, then convert it back to AC at whatever voltage and frequency you want.

  • http://randomnumbers.us/ bullwinkle

    Why don’t you just get a low voltage dc power supply and use white light and blue light leds?

    LEDS

    It’s safer with low voltage, the leds are very efficient compared to even flourescent, last for years and they don’t put out any heat. That’s the only lights I have here on the beach, haven’t replaced one in 6 years. My system is solar here, no electric service available so I do everything I can to save. 10 Watts of LED light is about the equivalent of 150 watts of incandescent.

  • http://sayanythingblog.com/ Seth Yantiss

    This is all good stuff! Thanks!

    I have X10 equipment all through my house. It’s capable of being dimmed. I am wanting to try this EL wire as interior lighting. It uses VERY little power and might be enough to light my hallway, but it can at least be used to light inside my closets. In some cases I may be able to replace incandescent bulbs… thereby lowering my electricity consumption… In other cases it will just look really COOL!!!!

    I also want to use some of it around my garage door… I want to make a blue glow effect around the door… to make it look a little like the shuttle bay on the NCC1701-D… ;)

  • http://www.wholewheatblogger.com/ Steve

    The site has a suggestion.

  • http://sayanythingblog.com/ Carol

    I can’t help…but I’m curious as to what you’re trying to do.

    Me too. What are you trying to do?

  • JFH

    Variable voltage is easy (basic tranformer theory)… Varilble Frequency is near impossible: You have to control the generating source to control the frequecy, therefore you’ve got to take the source energy, convert to DC and then use that to drive a DC motor to convert back to a variable frequency….

    I think.

  • http://SayAnythingBlog.com The_Whistler_ofnd

    I just take it to the village and have the shaman do that kind of thing. It seems to involve a bunch of yelling and stuff.

    Does that help?

  • http://www.moderninstances.com/ modern instances

    I got yer modified electical frequencies right here.

  • http://sayanythingblog.com robport

    I can’t help…but I’m curious as to what you’re trying to do.

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