- Mon Sep 26, 2011 8:21 pm
#133881
What I am trying to do is wire an existing wig (like this one http://www.ecrater.com/p/7998281/34-lon ... very-white) with fiber optics so that there are glowy strands throughout. I realized that there are fiber optic "hair extension barrettes" (glowbys) specifically made for hair, but I don't think they quite meet my needs--I would need like 5-7 of them, have to able to hide them just right and even then, the fiber optics would be more in clumps/stripes than what I want. My idea was to take waterproof flexible LED strips (just white is fine... multi-color is unnecessary) and place them under the wig (probably just one strip around the forehead would work, but I would have to see what works once I got everything together) and then connect fiber optic cables to that. Whatever arrangement I end up with, it has to run on one battery pack which has to be of a size and weight that we could sew a pocket for it into the back of my costume dress. The batteries would only need to last a few hours at a time. On the Adafruit forums, they also suggested EL wire/tape as an option but stated that I would need to be very careful to shield any connections since EL runs at a higher voltage than LED's.
The main concerns I have are going to be weight, functionality and safety. For weight, it needs to be light enough that I can wear it on my head. without headaches/neck strain and the battery pack needs to be light enough to be able to fit in a dress pocket without tearing the pocket or causing significant back/neck strain. However, the dress is not already made so, making the pocket a certain way to accommodate the battery pack/reinforcing the pocket, etc. is totally a possibility. For functionality the question is just mainly going to be whether or not I can Engage in normal activities with it on (standing, sitting, walk around, walking up stairs, eating etc) and how much said normal activities will wear the electronics down over time (I have heard that bending flexible lights too much can compromise their functioning and that EL fades over time).
For safety, I just want to make sure I'm not going to burn or electrocute myself or have wires catching on every doorknob or coat hook I walk by. I know LED's and EL don't put out much heat but are there other things that need to be taken in to consideration since they will be under a wig and directly on my skin/scalp/hair? Same thing for the wiring and battery pack.
As far as my skill level is concerned, I am crafty but have no experience with electronics (other than building my own PC in the late 90's) My husband, however, has a fair bit of experience with home projects. He can solder and has done things like making guitar effects pedals and so forth in the past, so he can most likely help me.
Any advice on options for ways to do this or methods or anything really is most welcome.
The main concerns I have are going to be weight, functionality and safety. For weight, it needs to be light enough that I can wear it on my head. without headaches/neck strain and the battery pack needs to be light enough to be able to fit in a dress pocket without tearing the pocket or causing significant back/neck strain. However, the dress is not already made so, making the pocket a certain way to accommodate the battery pack/reinforcing the pocket, etc. is totally a possibility. For functionality the question is just mainly going to be whether or not I can Engage in normal activities with it on (standing, sitting, walk around, walking up stairs, eating etc) and how much said normal activities will wear the electronics down over time (I have heard that bending flexible lights too much can compromise their functioning and that EL fades over time).
For safety, I just want to make sure I'm not going to burn or electrocute myself or have wires catching on every doorknob or coat hook I walk by. I know LED's and EL don't put out much heat but are there other things that need to be taken in to consideration since they will be under a wig and directly on my skin/scalp/hair? Same thing for the wiring and battery pack.
As far as my skill level is concerned, I am crafty but have no experience with electronics (other than building my own PC in the late 90's) My husband, however, has a fair bit of experience with home projects. He can solder and has done things like making guitar effects pedals and so forth in the past, so he can most likely help me.
Any advice on options for ways to do this or methods or anything really is most welcome.