Question about elwire

[^Rhino!]

I'm curious about elwire. How well can it be seen at night, compared to, low sticks and led flashlights?

[Ms Dynomite]

Rhino,
Welcome to the group! thanks for joining!

I have a bunch of info from the Burning Bright tribe (link on this group's home page) that I'm backing up and transferring over here. Meanwhile the short answer is that EL is less intense than LED, the same or brighter than glow sticks depending on the kind of glow you have. It's still very clearly visible and a great alternative to disposable glow. :)

I've found it's best to use for marking, as opposed to reading/searching. It's like an ambient light not a projected light. In other words I'd use EL to illuminate stakes, lines, clothing, etc. and use LEDs for flashlights. I have a krill light , which is EL tape and the thing rocks for marking. It's usable for projecting the light in very close proximity such as if you need to find something you just dropped or read a sign. However, I consider that more emergency use. You can't really use EL to light up the ground to see where you're going.

[^Rhino!]

I'm not going to be using it to light up the ground. I'm planning on installing it on the outer curvature of a catenary arch (like the St. Louis Gateway Arch) that's going to be anywhere from 30 to 45' tall (depending upon funding and work schedules) which will be my 'American Dream' art project. The project is traveling first to Midwest Burners' regional burn, Interfuse, in May '08, then to BM '08 in August, and then to make it's final installation (yearly) at the Gateway Burners new regional burn in September, where I will be gifting the Arch project to them. It will be called "Gateway to the Future", and represents my inclusive American Dream.

I want people to recognize that they experience gateways in their lives - marriage, etc. Erecting the gateway will be a commitment I make to the rest of the burner community In addition, I have received 2 verbal commitments for fire performances under the arch. These should show up quite well, because the exterior surface will be covered with 1' by 1' tiles of retroreflective white 3M panels. It may be a monstrously reflective and exciting experience for all.

[Ms Dynomite]

Rhino,
that sounds amazing. :) i think you could use either LED rope or string lights, or EL for that. Either would light it up clearly it would probably just be a matter of cost and powering needs. For something that large LED rope or string may be better because I've read that EL can be somewhat fragile. EL is great for bikes and clothing and signage, but I've seen LED rope or string light used for larger areas like archways and tent borders. If I'm remembering correctly it's also much easier to run a LED rope light off a battery (no soldering and such involved).

There are some links in the original Tribe that may help you in terms of resources, but I can't link to them right now because Tribe won't load for me.

[^Rhino!]

Ms Dynomite, I don't know what your playa schedule will be in '08, but you definitely get an invitation from me personally to view the Gateway to the Future, either during the day or at night, and I want to personally thank you for your interest.

Sincerely,

^Rhino!