Power packs

Introduction

Here is some information about power packs which we hope you find useful.  Please take a few moments to read this as we know it will be helpful when choosing a suitable power pack. 

All electroluminescent (EL) products require a power pack, to make the EL sheet or EL wire glow.  The power packs we supply are designed to provide the most suitable solution for your EL purchase.

How it works

The power packs use DC electrical energy (electricity), usually from either batteries or from a DC supply such as 'transformed' mains supply to operate the wire.

The power pack converts the DC electricity into AC electricity operating at high frequency with very low current levels to make the EL product glow. The power packs are often referred to as inverters. 

 We have a wide range of EL power packs available; self contained battery units such as the KH4 &KD5 shown opposite, mains powered units such as the KH200, and modular units - wires in & wires out - such as the KD30 unit.   We also produce custom built units where DMX operation is required.

Choosing your power pack

In normal circumstances the key choice of EL power pack required is the:

• Length of Neon Glow Wire or
• The total area in cm2 of EL sheet to be lit

Subsequent choices include:

• Electrical supply preferred:  o Batteries 
                                                o Mains
                                                o Solar power is also an option
  

                                                                                                                                                                            KD5 power pack: powers 0.5m - 14m

• Effect(s) required:                o Flashing 
                                               o Sequencing
                                               o Dimming or fading
                                               o Continuous or static illumination
                                               o Programmable operation
                                               o DMX operation      

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

• Desired lifetime
• Brightness required
• Physical size
• Outdoor or indoor use
• Number of outputs needed                                                                                                                       KH30 power pack
• Price

To buy a power pack, please click here.

The power packs in our Online Shop show many but not all of the power packs (inverters) available.  The PDF document below shows our most popular EL power packs.  Many more power packs are available; if you cannot find a power pack that meets your needs and you would like to talk/email, please Contact Us.  We will be happy to advise you.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Power Pack PDF

 

Transformers

Transformed mains sounds complicated but in simple terms it’s simply like the charger that we all use to recharge our mobile phones. However, it is important to use the correct mains transformers (often called a power supply units or PSU for short) or your power pack could fail prematurely.

Modular

Modular power packs are operated from a DC source, but have no battery case or mains transformer built into the unit.  For a modular unit, you will need to use batteries or a mains transformer with the correct input voltage for the modular unit.

For example, the KD30 power pack requires 12V DC, this can be powered by a 12V battery, or a 12V PSU (as seen right).

The 12V battery supply could be a single unit such as a sealed lead acid cell or 8 x 1.5V cells.

 

Battery contained units                                                                                                                          KD30 power pack includes PSU

Most of our battery contained units run on 2 x AA or 4 x AAA batteries.