I don't like the idea of converting AC to DC to AC. It's not so much the (insignificant) energy waste, but the fact that more circuitry is involved, inverters are more complex, and make a high pitch hum; and in the end it produces a fixed frequency.
I want to connect the EL wire to the alternator output, just before it reaches the regulator (which converts it to DC). So what's involved? Can I simply tap into that AC line, and connect the EL wire in parallel with the regulator? Or do I need some components to control the frequency and voltage?
One side effect that I'd like to take advantage of: the blue/green EL wire has a clear insulator, and shows the actual color of the phosphor, which shifts with frequency.. ie.
~600 Hz = green
~2kHz = aqua
~6kHz = deep blue
Typical driver output frequencies are from 400 - 2000 Hz, and typical output voltages are from 100 - 150 volts (rms). I read most of that info here in other threads. (though someone reported success plugging EL wire into a 110 outlet, so apparently the low end of the range is closer to 60Hz).
What frequency does the alternator output? I'm figuring something that matches my RPMs. Ideally, the frequency of the alternator would be converted to match the frequency range of the EL wire, so I can hit all the colors as I go from zero to 90 MPH.
BTW, my regulator gets extremely hot. I'm not sure if that would be an issue.
I want to connect the EL wire to the alternator output, just before it reaches the regulator (which converts it to DC). So what's involved? Can I simply tap into that AC line, and connect the EL wire in parallel with the regulator? Or do I need some components to control the frequency and voltage?
One side effect that I'd like to take advantage of: the blue/green EL wire has a clear insulator, and shows the actual color of the phosphor, which shifts with frequency.. ie.
~600 Hz = green
~2kHz = aqua
~6kHz = deep blue
Typical driver output frequencies are from 400 - 2000 Hz, and typical output voltages are from 100 - 150 volts (rms). I read most of that info here in other threads. (though someone reported success plugging EL wire into a 110 outlet, so apparently the low end of the range is closer to 60Hz).
What frequency does the alternator output? I'm figuring something that matches my RPMs. Ideally, the frequency of the alternator would be converted to match the frequency range of the EL wire, so I can hit all the colors as I go from zero to 90 MPH.
BTW, my regulator gets extremely hot. I'm not sure if that would be an issue.
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Re: Tapping off the alternator circuit on a motorcycle (no DC middle step)
Wed, September 5, 2007 - 12:54 AMThis is a unsolved problem even close to dream that we are always trying to achive but fail.
AC provide distortion waveform, hence we have to convert to DC before we change its frequence. The unstable AC power will cause your component gets hot or even explode
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Re: Tapping off the alternator circuit on a motorcycle (no DC middle step)
Fri, November 16, 2007 - 2:26 PMThe AC coming off your alternator is not a nice clean waveform. It's a dirty, shifting thing always changing voltage and freq. depending on engine speed. Do yourself a favor a just skip this little project of yours, tap power from the battery and invert it back to AC. Your life will be easier that way.
