> Ah. I knew it left something old. The circuit should operate from 3 > to 5V or so, although some degradation at lower voltages is permitted. Peak voltage probably best limited by a clamp / shunt regulator so as long as it rings to enough at 3V in then 5V in just wastes more. > I want more than 80V. Preferably, something on the order of 110V. > 110VAC (which is partially what the stuff is designed to work on) is a > depressingly high number once you convert to peak-to-peak (multiply by > 2*sqrt(2), right?) Yes and no. A square wave has RM value equal to half its peak to peak value. A sime wave is 0.7071 x half its p-p value. Depends on response of EL wire to voltage whether it strictly reacts this way. More than 80 works just the same. There does come a limit due to capacitance as mentioned before, but in most cases it will be well above this voltage. > Efficiancy should be pretty good, but is not of > paramount importance (however, I discovered that a camera flash > inverter will power some length of EL-wire if you intercept it at the > HVAC part. > While drawing more than an Amp from the 1.5V cell. That's NOT > efficient enough :-) That suggests there is quite a load. Does the EL wire have a current spec. I thought El was quite low power. However, 1.5v x 1A = 1.5w. At say 50% efficiency end to end that's 750 mW for light which is not a vast amount. Again, is there Inverters from $US5 http://www.elwirecheap.com/powerinvertors.html Build your own 3V inverter He has a few minor things wrong technically but seems like a good practical guide. Self oscillating. Uses two or more windings. Not to be feared. Has quite a lot of explanation - active diagrams are good http://www.talkingelectronics.com/Projects/Electroluminescence/LitELine04.html Found on their electroluminescence page here. Go down left hand column to projects etc: luminescence. http://www.talkingelectronics.com/ -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList mailto:piclist-unsubscribe-request@mitvma.mit.edu