Thanks. It seems so obvious when I say it out loud. Whatever voltage is needed, just find a battery that matches it and go from there.Practically, you are limited to batteries for power supply. Then, your devices are limited to the battery voltage. IF you want to wear it active for very long you are also limited to the mAh capacity of the battery. Design from there... PC cooling fans are typically 12V so unless you can lug a 12V battery around... So, design from the battery out...
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Use a battery and don't pick things that require significant current - like a fan. It's just for looks, so go for low power things to reduce battery drain.I am struggling to find how to power such things as a Pc cooling tank, fan or other small item while I wear them.
Most people seem to just go with LEDs. I wanted to go for something extra, but I am considering just using some lights instead. Almost anything else I found takes way too much current.Use a battery and don't pick things that require significant current - like a fan. It's just for looks, so go for low power things to reduce battery drain.
Wise choice. A fan operating at speed could present safety issues. You could have some non-functional items.I wanted to go for something extra, but I am considering just using some lights instead. Almost anything else I found takes way too much current.
To be specific, the visual I am going for is an arm mounted laser. The effect I want to achieve is the illusion of a small motor or engine powering it up before it blasts a bright light or beam out of the barrel. If I can pull if off, I would also like to replicate exposed sections of skin where there would be thin tubing, glowing from internal LEDs.I am trying to create a costume that looks as though it actually has functioning parts on it. I am struggling to find how to power such things as a Pc cooling tank, fan or other small item while I wear them.
That's a good idea. Given that the character is a human with roughly-crafted cybernetic parts, a small amount of exposed wires might actually add to the effect.Or if it doesn't really need to be powered by a battery, you could have an power supply out of the picture and run the cable so it doesn't show up in the picture. Then your power and time limits would be pretty high.
Do you know if I can cut an EL panel as long as I reseal the cut portion? I know it is not recommended, but is it possible to reseal it to prolong its longevity?That's a good idea. Given that the character is a human with roughly-crafted cybernetic parts, a small amount of exposed wires might actually add to the effect.
Sizes vary greatly.Do you know if I can cut an EL panel as long as I reseal the cut portion? I know it is not recommended, but is it possible to reseal it to prolong its longevity?
Think of the voltage as pressure, and the current as quantity. Batteries are rated in terms of quantity over time- that's what mAh means (or Ah). It means it can deliver that amount of current as a cumulative total of 1 hour- NOT that it can produce that much current constantly for an hour. And usually they deliver that ampacity at lower than peak voltage for the longest amount of time.I am trying to create a costume that looks as though it actually has functioning parts on it. I am struggling to find how to power such things as a Pc cooling tank, fan or other small item while I wear them.
The simplest trick I know to leave the panel intact, is to apply dark/black material so the uncovered material forms the image you need.Do you know if I can cut an EL panel as long as I reseal the cut portion? I know it is not recommended, but is it possible to reseal it to prolong its longevity?
by Jake Hertz
by Jake Hertz
by Duane Benson