I was taking apart my backlit keyboard to get a better idea of why the keys are sticking. Nothing to see really so I started putting the mass of tiny screws back in. Wasnt in the most comfortable position but as I was moving, I tripped over the keyboard and ripped out the leads to the EL tape. These are the leads that go from the inverter to the tape. So, I soldered it back together in the way I thought they went (really wasnt anything to tell the two leads apart - they both ripped out the same way with the no physical differences). Proceeded to plug it in and try it out. No dice. So, I ask, is it possible to short out EL tape? Although, I must note that I'm only measuring 0.3v DC coming out of the inverter. Shouldnt this be higher? TIA
First off, it shouldn't make any difference which order you resoldered the wires in. The power coming off the inverter is AC, and it should work equally well either way. Incidentally, this is the same reason you're only measuring 0.3V. Give it a try on AC and see if you don't get more like 750v. As for shorting out, on the other hand, it's a reasonable concern. Electroluminescent tape is basically a layer of phosphor between two conductive strips. When you pulled on the tape, if the phosphor layer cracked and the two conductive strips made contact, then the tape would work only up to that point. If the tape doesn't light at all, make sure your solder joints are good and then make sure they aren't crossed before they even reach the tape. Take an AC reading from the inverter if you like, and you should be getting several hundred volts. If you have another inverter, give it a try. If all that fails and it still doesn't work, you don't have anything to lose by switching the wires - but again, I don't think that should be an issue.
