Let the smoke out

[wlbryce]

Had a brand new EL panel let the smoke out. looks like a solder issue.
Just wanted to show the carnage.

2012-04-02_22-08-17_25.jpg (13.07 KiB) Viewed 865 times

[adafruit]

can you be more specific what exactly was happening when it was damaged?

[wlbryce]

Yep, I took it out of the box plugged it into the inverter and connected it to a 12V 1.25 amp wall wort switching power supply.
It lit up then stated sparking and smoking at the solder joint. You can see where it burned through the substrate in the photo.

[adafruit]

can you tell us which inverter specifically you used?

[wlbryce]

Ok it should not be this hard. On the "Contact us" I sent the information to include my order number. I then sent a photo to the forum so you could see the issue.
I got a automated email that told me to post information on the forum for warranty issues. I had already done that.
In days of old I could send a quick email and you would make it good. This is highly more complicated.

In short, I used your 12 volt inverter (ID : 448) - the same inverter that is driving the "White" el panel I ordered at the same time.
Your system has every order that I have made over the years and that was part of the "Contact Us" email that I already sent.

Should I do something different if I need to do a warranty or bad product return?
Is a 2 week turnaround now the normal for returns?
Did I post in the wrong area?
What does the "[Problem with an order I received]" email do other than send me a auto email telling me to post in the forum?


Thanks

Logan & Jenni

Order #:138798

[adafruit]

Ok it should not be this hard. On the "Contact us" I sent the information to include my order number. I then sent a photo to the forum so you could see the issue.
I got a automated email that told me to post information on the forum for warranty issues. I had already done that.

hiya!

your image was not included in your email to us and it was not an automated email, we're human and respond to each email.

we've responded to all of your posts immediately, in order to get more information, since your first post on monday 11:30PM. we just wanted to check to make sure which inverter was used, so that if it was a non-EL-compatible inverter we wouldnt have the replacement damaged (which would take even longer to replace). email support@adafruit with a link to this thread to get a replacement!

thanks!
adafruit support

[wlbryce]

Thank You. I now have a real email address!
BTW, I would have sent the photo along with the first email but the Automated "Contact Us" web based form does NOT allow for attachments.
I DID tell you in the comment section that I would be posting a photo on the forum.

Please tell me how I could have done more?
Next time I will forgo all this and send it to the "support" email address.
The address that is not on the "Contact Us" page.

Thanks

Logan & Jenni

[wlbryce]

Thanks Adafruit for the replacement part and good service!

Attached are photos from my under roof eave lighting system. I Plasmaed out a Stainless bezel for the EL panel, then lasered out a front gasket and a rear gasket.
I used silicone to seal the assembly together.

The EL panel is on a light sensor that turns on at dark. The panels give a great light for the deck that does not radiate outward like a high power LED or other light with a reflector.
This makes it a really neat light for this application. The super flat light housing made the install easy and painless.

Thanks Again!
L & J

[adafruit]

nice plasma!

[wlbryce]

Could not afford a Kern Laser table and my Epilog wont cut metal so the CNC plasma will just haft to do!