What Wire Gauge for Building Neopixel Lightsabers at Home? - DIY Guide

More and more fans are perplexed about using the right wire gauges. They need to know which wires to be used for Neopixel builds or Tri-Cee builds. Neopixel strip blades require more power than the Tri-Cee counterparts. Hence a thick copper wire is a must-have for passing current from the battery (power source) to Neopixel strips.

This guide will serve as a beacon of light for tricky lightsaber wiring. After reading this excerpt, installers will be competent enough to wire properly their builds.

Disclaimer: This guide is based on personal experience as well as extensive research while all the metrics are according to American Standards.

The current charts on the web space depict current ratings around 250+ volts, not the 4-5 volts rating we pick. The 4-5 volts wire provides strong resistance for higher currents at 250+ volts. So, the lightsaber wiring should be thicker enough.

Yes! The wires push much more current at a safe temperature of 30°. This plethora of current, in turn, brings in increased resistance. Concluding this debate, the lightsaber circuits will resist the current and do not necessarily provide enough juice for high-powered LEDs fitted at Neopixel strips. Brightness will be collateral damage in this scenario.

Calculator for Wire Gauge

Here is a calculator that shows the voltage drops at different levels of voltage and current load. The bigger the voltage drop, the worst it would be for the brightness of the blade. Like for a 30 AWG wire of 0.5 feet bearing a 2-ampere load if faced with a 3-volt voltage drop will draw 7% less current. However, the same factors at 120 volts will be lessened to 0.2%. The latter scenario allows more current to pass through the copper wire.

The wire gauge depicts recommended wire gauge sizes for maximum power efficiency. The optimal power gives a glittering patina to the lightsaber circuit.

As people believe that a typical 30 AWG wire is a good cut-out. It might be true, but beware that it easily gets overloaded and vents out with burning sensations (simple theory of physics). In this case, the lightsaber does not get ample current to light up the LEDs, resultant, a big drop of voltage ensues.

The statements are often found wanting before practicality, so the authentic and optimal rating for a 30 AWG wire (regardless of the copper conductor as different manufacturers around the globe use different insulation techniques; all in all, the insulation material must be thin enough to nestle into the lightsaber circuit) is 900 mA (0.9 amperes) - this maximum current threshold does not cause resistance and voltage dropping to overshadow the performance. Nevertheless, if a device or LED tries to fetch extra current, the wire will, for use, resist. The tech-geek or assembler of neopixel lightsabers must understand this phenomenon.

Standard Charts

The following are the standard charts that provide you with the limpid nitty-gritty for the wire gauge used in building neopixel lightsabers.

1) AWG Chart

The following AWG chart compares and contrasts with other electrical entities such as Ohm or vice versa.

2) Ampere Chart

Ampere is the flowing juice that runs through the veins of a neopixel lightsaber. The glittering LEDs fitted at the long require an ample supply of Ampere. The following chart will clear your concept about Ampere usage.

3) Consumption Chart

Current consumption also plays a vital role in the smooth working of your neopixel lightsaber. The below chart will give you a clear idea of consumption or neopixel lightsaber.

Benefits of Choosing the Right Wire Gauge while Crafting Neopixel Lightsabers

If you are building your neopixel lightsabers at home. You must attain perfection by hook or crook. The perfection will provide you with the following upbeat results.

Perfect Glowing Strip

When the current passes through relative ease then the LEDs at the very end get their due share and shine like a nova star. This is the main purpose of neopixel that is aptly served. The perfect glow brings in glimmers to the eyes of onlookers.

No Accidental Breakdowns

Home-made neopixel lightsabers are always prone to wear and tear as there is no quality check. However, the selection of an apt wire gauge frees you from the worries of short-circuiting it or accidental breakdowns.

Foolproof Safety

It is also a fact that a little spark arising out from the poor circuit of the lightsabers would snowball into the house-long arson. The dangers multiply manifold when the handlers are Sweet Summer Children. Hence, to thwart these grim possibilities in the very first place, it is recommended to play safe and use only recommended wire gauges.

Reliability and Longevity

When you draft the perfect circuit. Automatically, the brownie points of reliability increase. Furthermore, this reliability adds to the longevity phase. In sum, you need not fix your neopixel lightsaber after every cosplay or duel. Neopixel lightsabers remain intact for long periods without extra fuss or hassle. You can also have a read of some useful tips for buying lightsaber.

Better Conceptual Learning

Using the right wire gauge for your neopixel project at hand gives you a better conceptual understanding of future endeavors. fluke does not serve twice. So, be religiously perfect and enjoy the magic of science at your every hard physics project.

Ready-made Conclusion

The blog might be a bit difficult to digest for the novice fandom. As there is a plethora of science involved. Nevertheless, if you want to steer clear and want to buy a ready-made neopixel lightsaber with a perfect match of wire gauge; we have a tantalizing choice for you.

The products are crafted by witty engineers that keep a perfect mix of wire gauges and whatsoever components are involved herein. Some of the enlisted neopixel lightsabers also allow you tinkering and customization at home. This feature is provided to satiate the intriguing nature of tech-geeks.