VynEL™ · Electrical
Power & Inverter
Guide for VynEL™
Everything you need to size an inverter, estimate battery runtime, connect multiple panels, and select the right control system for your VynEL™ build. Covers single-panel portable builds through multi-panel production systems.
How VynEL™ Gets Its Power
EL technology requires AC power at a specific frequency range to excite the phosphor layer and produce light. Batteries and wall outlets produce DC power. An inverter converts DC to the AC frequency that VynEL™ requires. Without an inverter, the panel will not light.
VynEL™ operates efficiently across a frequency range of approximately 400 to 3,000 Hz, with peak brightness at higher frequencies (1,000 to 2,000 Hz). Lower frequencies produce dimmer output and sometimes a faint audible hum from the panel. Higher frequencies produce brighter output and are effectively silent. Brightness is frequency-dependent, not just voltage-dependent.
Key concept
Power consumption in VynEL™ is calculated by total illuminated area — not panel physical dimensions. If your panel has a graphic overlay that masks 40% of the surface, you only pay power draw for the 60% that illuminates. This distinction matters when sizing inverters and estimating battery runtime for large-panel builds.
Sizing Your Inverter
Inverters for EL are rated by the total EL wire length or panel area they can drive. Underpowering a panel (inverter too small) produces dim, uneven output. Overpowering is generally fine — a larger inverter than needed simply runs at reduced load. Significantly oversizing creates a heavier, bulkier power system than necessary.
Power Calculation — 4 Steps
Step 1: Measure total illuminated area
Area (in²) = Length × Width of lit surface
Step 2: Apply VynEL™ draw rate
Draw (mA) = Area × 5 to 15 mA/in²
Step 3: Add inverter efficiency overhead
Total draw = Draw × 1.2 (20% overhead)
Step 4: Select inverter rated at or above total draw
Inverter rating ≥ Total draw
The 5 to 15 mA/in² range reflects the difference between VynEL™ variants (Flow draws less than HD) and inverter frequency (higher frequency drives higher brightness and draw). For initial sizing, use 10 mA/in² as a practical midpoint.
Example: A 30 square inch VynEL™ HD back panel at 10 mA/in² = 300 mA + 20% overhead = 360 mA total. Select an inverter rated for at least 360 mA at your intended operating voltage.
Inverter Types
Wearable · Battery
LumoS Pack
Rechargeable lithium pack. Up to 15 in² / 2–4 hours runtime at medium brightness. Compact enough for a small interior pocket, shoe, hat, and more. Best for smaller panels or where space is a concern.
Wearable · Battery
LumoX Pack
Rechargeable lithium pack. Up to 24 in² / 3–6 hours runtime. Suitable for jackets, bags, or multiple panels up to 24sqin, includes a belt clip. Most popular wearable option for costumes.
Wearable · USB Rechargeable
USB & USB+ EL Inverters
Powers from USB power bank. Up to 24 in² (or up to 60sqin for USB+). Runtime depends on power bank capacity (USB inverter consumes around 110mA, USB+ around 220mA). Convenient for DIY builds where a USB bank is already part of the system.
Fixed Installation
Parallel Inverter (AC)
Wall outlet powered. High panel area capacity. For fixed displays, signage, architectural panels, and any installation with reliable AC access. No battery constraints on runtime.
Automotive
12V DC Inverter
Vehicle fuse tap or battery. Required for all VynEL™ Cling automotive installations. Fused tap required and voltage regulator to prevent voltage spikes damaging the inverter. See the Automotive Installation Guide for full wiring instructions.
Controller
Dimmer Controller
Adds brightness adjustment and flash patterns. Compatible with most LumoX and parallel inverters. Required if your build needs variable brightness, on/off switching, or programmatic control.
Battery Runtime Estimation
Battery runtime for a wearable VynEL™ build depends on battery capacity, panel area, inverter efficiency, and operating brightness. Here is a practical estimation method:
| Battery | Panel Size | 20 in² panel (HD) | 40 in² panel (HD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2× AA Battery Pack | ~Up to 30sqin | ~3–4 hours | ~1.5–2 hours |
| 2× AAA Mighty Small Battery Pack | ~Up to 36sqin | ~3-4 hours | ~2-3 hours |
| Silent Wave Inverter | ~Up to 40sqin | ~10–14 hours | ~6–8 hours |
| 9V Battery Pack | ~Up to 60sqin | ~10–14 hours | ~5–7 hours |
| 10,000 mAh USB bank (USB+ Inverter) | ~Up to 60sqin | ~20+ hours | ~10–14 hours |
These are estimates at moderate brightness (mid-frequency). Higher frequency (brighter) operation will reduce runtime. Lower frequency (dimmer) will extend it. Real-world runtime also varies with battery age, temperature, and inverter efficiency under load.
Production note
For production costumes and garments with specific runtime requirements, test your exact panel area, inverter, and battery combination before finalizing the build. Runtime varies enough between configurations that estimated figures should always be validated before a show or event.
Connecting Multiple Panels
Multiple VynEL™ panels connect to a single inverter in parallel. Parallel connection means all panels receive the same voltage. Total power draw equals the sum of all individual panel draws. This is the only correct wiring topology for EL panels — series connection is not appropriate and will not produce correct output.
01
Calculate total draw across all panels
Sum the illuminated area of every panel in the build. Apply the mA/in² calculation from the sizing section above. This is your total load. Add 20% overhead and this is your minimum inverter rating.
02
Use a splitter, not daisy-chaining
Use a multi-output JST splitter to connect multiple panel leads to the inverter output. Do not daisy-chain panels lead-to-lead. A splitter gives each panel a clean parallel connection to the inverter bus and simplifies troubleshooting — a single panel failure does not affect the others.
03
Test each panel individually before final assembly
Connect and test each panel to the inverter individually before completing final stitching, bonding, or installation. Confirm full even illumination. Then connect all panels together and test the full system. Any panel that does not illuminate in the group test must be diagnosed before the build is finalized.
Troubleshooting Power Problems
| Symptom | Most likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Panel doesn't light at all | Inverter not powered, loose connector, or dead battery | Check power source and all connections before anything else |
| Panel dims after a few minutes | Battery capacity insufficient or inverter undersized | Calculate total draw; upgrade inverter or battery |
| Uneven brightness across panel | Inverter underpowering panel, or partial short in panel | Test with a known-good inverter; if problem persists, panel may need replacement |
| Audible buzz or hum from panel | Inverter operating at low frequency | Use higher-frequency inverter or increase frequency if adjustable |
| One panel in a multi-panel build is dark | Broken lead, bad solder joint, or short in that panel | Disconnect and test that panel in isolation |
| Short battery runtime | Panel area exceeds inverter's efficient range, or battery too small | Recalculate draw; upgrade battery or reduce panel area |
Need help sizing a complex build?
Multi-panel builds with specific runtime requirements and battery pack constraints are something our engineering team handles regularly. Contact us with your panel area, required runtime, and physical constraints on the power system and we'll spec a complete solution. info@ellumiglow.com
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