EL Panel controller wiring question

Components & Accessories LEDs
1

Hey guys and gals, long time lurker, first time poster.

So I have a Electroluminescent panel powered Chevrolet Silverado badge that lights up at night (governed by ambient light sensor) See below. The EL panel in it had the controller or wiring to it fall off due to vibration or heat. My question is how can I solder/ join the connector to a different part of the EL panel. As you will see below, the stock controller/ wires from the inverter that attach to the perimeter of the shape will not work.

I did a terrible job explaining, hope the pics are worth the proverbial 1,000 words. I could only get one picture to add, so I made an imgur of the badge taken apart. I want to learn how to get the green and copper looking deal soldered/ connected[

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2

Hi 8t6elcamino,

It looks like you’re trying to format using straight HTML. Our Forums run on phpBB and that uses a custom HTML implementation. There’s a full rundown of the functions [here if you want to either edit your post or reply with the right format so we can see the photos.](https://forum.sparkfun.com/viewtopic.php?f=173&t=51613)

3

TS-Mark:
Hi 8t6elcamino,

It looks like you’re trying to format using straight HTML. Our Forums run on phpBB and that uses a custom HTML implementation. There’s a full rundown of the functions [here if you want to either edit your post or reply with the right format so we can see the photos.[/quote]

Hey Mark- I tried to reupload to an imgur URL, the post you linked to didn’t talk about phpbb implementation for this board. Hopefully I formatted the link right this time. I keep getting an HTTP error when trying to upload a jpeg, hence having to resort to imgur, link below. The link details the contoller I want to learn how to make/ purchase from you guys to go with Item COM-10799 on the site, the 10cm by 10cm EL panel.

http://imgur.com/a/7oMoEKy?](https://forum.sparkfun.com/viewtopic.php?f=173&t=51613)

4

Thanks for including that link. Now I understand what you’re trying to do better. Unfortunately, modifying the 10x10cm EL Panel we carry is not really recommended. As you can see from [this tutorial, it’s best to customize the display by adding a layer on top of the panel to create your display. Cutting the panel is possible, but is a very tricky process since you need to make sure the layers of the panel are 1)not damaged by your cuts and 2) more importantly, sealed properly since the EL Panel operates at high voltage and can give a nasty shock if it’s not sealed properly. The fact that it is on the front of your truck makes it even more important the panel is sealed properly so what might be a better option here is to try and repair the connector on your custom-cut EL panel for the Chevy logo.

Judging from your photos, it looks like that connector was held in place primarily by some high-temperature, non-conductive tape like [this so you could try re-sealing it or you might be able to solder to those connector pads to repair that connector if you have a soldering iron handy. I’m not sure what type of metal used for those connectors but it looks like they might be suitable to be soldered to but I would recommend trying to repair it with some of the tape I linked above before soldering to it.

I hope this helps you get that panel working again or find a suitable option for a replacement. If you run into any other issues or have other questions about this project, let us know and we would be happy to help as much as we can.](High Temperature Adhesive Tape - (1cm, 33m) - PRT-10687 - SparkFun Electronics)](Pokémon Go Patches with EL Panels - SparkFun Learn)

5

TS-Mark:
Thanks for including that link. Now I understand what you’re trying to do better. Unfortunately, modifying the 10x10cm EL Panel we carry is not really recommended. As you can see from [this tutorial, it’s best to customize the display by adding a layer on top of the panel to create your display. Cutting the panel is possible, but is a very tricky process since you need to make sure the layers of the panel are 1)not damaged by your cuts and 2) more importantly, sealed properly since the EL Panel operates at high voltage and can give a nasty shock if it’s not sealed properly. The fact that it is on the front of your truck makes it even more important the panel is sealed properly so what might be a better option here is to try and repair the connector on your custom-cut EL panel for the Chevy logo.

Judging from your photos, it looks like that connector was held in place primarily by some high-temperature, non-conductive tape like [this so you could try re-sealing it or you might be able to solder to those connector pads to repair that connector if you have a soldering iron handy. I’m not sure what type of metal used for those connectors but it looks like they might be suitable to be soldered to but I would recommend trying to repair it with some of the tape I linked above before soldering to it.

I hope this helps you get that panel working again or find a suitable option for a replacement. If you run into any other issues or have other questions about this project, let us know and we would be happy to help as much as we can.
[/quote]

No problem, thanks Mark!](High Temperature Adhesive Tape - (1cm, 33m) - PRT-10687 - SparkFun Electronics)](Pokémon Go Patches with EL Panels - SparkFun Learn)