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Author Topic: Tell me about cold-cathode lights  (Read 4280 times)

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tawa

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Tell me about cold-cathode lights
« on: November 19, 2004, 01:44:49 PM »
Looking for info on building my own cold cathode light. What do I need? Sounds like they run off 12v, so I'd need a wall wart to plug into 110v US electricity, right?

Do they use AC or DC?

Do I need any other resistors, capacitors, etc?

I'd need a switch too.

Is there a website for CCF beginners?


I'd like to put some under a kitchen cabinet, or in a closet.

Thanks all.

« Last Edit: November 19, 2004, 01:44:49 PM by (unknown) »
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drdongle

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Re: Tell me about cold-cathode lights
« Reply #1 on: November 19, 2004, 03:17:59 PM »
Cold Cathode Fluorescent lamps require a high voltage to operate, this can be supplied by a DC upverter power supply, which can be home built. CCF lamps do not put out a lot of light though. If you have a scanner for your computer it probably has a CCF Lamp. Most of the units I have seen available surplus are 5 watts or so.


Check out <www.allelectronics.com> they have CCFL's and power supplies for same.


Carpa Vigor


Dr.D

« Last Edit: November 19, 2004, 03:17:59 PM by drdongle »
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nothing to lose

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Re: Tell me about cold-cathode lights
« Reply #2 on: November 19, 2004, 05:27:07 PM »
Check out computer stores online! :)

Cold cathode light kits at bestbyte.net and come with everything you need except the 12V battery or power supplie.


http://www.bestbyte.net/Category.cfm?CategoryID=28&Keyword=

"Deluxe White Cold Cathode Light Kit w/ Dual Capable Boxed Inverter, $4.99"

 Extra tubes cost $2.99

 $5 flat rate shipping.


Specifications

Length: 12.25 inches of pure light.

Diameter: .25 inches

Encased in a 100% acrylic shell, enabling 360 degrees of light

Special coated 12V inverter for safety.

Average Current Demand +- 350mA at 12VDC.

Average Current Demand +- 4.3w.

High-Quality Jam-Nut Switch installs quickly and Easily

Long Lifespan


 I ordered here several times, not afilliated or getting any kick backs, just a good place to buy these things. Kinda high on other stuff, but fans, lights, and other mod type items there pretty good one normally.


I use them in vans and cars and such. Of course in custom computers I build also :)

 I never tried the white, but a red one I had was very bright (more than I wanted at the time). I use the UVs alot and of course those don't make much light, just make my cables glow nicley.

« Last Edit: November 19, 2004, 05:27:07 PM by nothing to lose »
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tawa

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Re: Tell me about cold-cathode lights
« Reply #3 on: November 22, 2004, 01:48:55 PM »
Thanks for the info. I'm in the US. Is Bestbyte in the US also?

« Last Edit: November 22, 2004, 01:48:55 PM by tawa »
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nothing to lose

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Re: Tell me about cold-cathode lights
« Reply #4 on: November 23, 2004, 06:51:26 AM »
Yes, bestbyte.net is around Houston Texas somewhere as I recall. I have also ordered stuff from Directron.com (I think that's the correct spelling) also from around houston tx. They have alot of good prices also on most computer items, I think the lights were good prices, but I liked prices at bestbyte better for fans and lights and the flat rate $5 shipping.


Either place I been happy with, though I buy bigger items like cases, system boards ect.. from directron.


Most my stuff comes from newegg.com, but I do shop around for the best deals. Never been unhappy with any of those 3 for any reason yet and I buy ALOT.


I don't beleave in ONE STOP shoping normally, because every place has good deals on some items but too high on others, so I compare all the prices and total shiping cost  then order however it comes out best for me price wise.


Newegg.com is normally about the best for everything except small items but you have to watch out for shipping charges if it's not the free shipping, which most of my buys are free shipping from them, though now they do lot of $1 shipping instead of the free they were doing it seems.

« Last Edit: November 23, 2004, 06:51:26 AM by nothing to lose »
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deerslayer660

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Re: Tell me about cold-cathode lights
« Reply #5 on: November 27, 2004, 06:51:32 AM »
   12vdc 8 watt trouble light completly assambled and ready to use odd lots 4.99$
« Last Edit: November 27, 2004, 06:51:32 AM by deerslayer660 »
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tawa

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Re: Tell me about cold-cathode lights
« Reply #6 on: December 01, 2004, 06:20:48 AM »
Hi. I've got a Big Lots here also. Same chain as Odd Lots.

Thanks.

« Last Edit: December 01, 2004, 06:20:48 AM by tawa »
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ghurd

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Re: Tell me about cold-cathode lights
« Reply #7 on: December 03, 2004, 12:16:08 PM »
I had quite a few of these. They pulled about 400ma, or 5 watts (claimed 8w). I would guess they were about 25% as bright as a good quality 12v 11w CFL.

Wired a few in a shop. 2-3 hours a day use. All were dead in a month.

I didn't feel I got my $5 worth.

G-
« Last Edit: December 03, 2004, 12:16:08 PM by ghurd »
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tawa

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Re: Tell me about cold-cathode lights
« Reply #8 on: December 06, 2004, 08:15:52 AM »
Hi,

I was looking for cheap 110vac convertors to 12vdc, and found some at www.allelectronics.com. They have a thing to convert to 12v with a cigarette lighter jack for about $6. Then for about $1 they have a cig lighter plug with wires. So, in Jan I will try to make a 12v LED light which can plug into a wall. Neat huh?

« Last Edit: December 06, 2004, 08:15:52 AM by tawa »
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njfld

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Re: Tell me about cold-cathode lights
« Reply #9 on: December 15, 2004, 11:39:55 PM »
Hi,


I'm Steven, from China P.R.C.

Our company is one of the professional manufacturer of Cold Cathode Lights and fittings in Nanjing city China.

So, if you have any need in CCFL,welcome to contact us at any time.


njfld@hotmail.com

www.njfld.com

« Last Edit: December 15, 2004, 11:39:55 PM by njfld »
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tawa

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Re: Tell me about cold-cathode lights
« Reply #10 on: December 21, 2004, 11:00:28 AM »
I also found a 110vac to 12vdc cig lighter adaptor for $3 at Big Lots. BAM! I grabbed one.
« Last Edit: December 21, 2004, 11:00:28 AM by tawa »
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tcrenshaw

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Re: Tell me about cold-cathode lights
« Reply #11 on: December 28, 2004, 07:52:37 PM »
I've been considering use of CCFL lamps instead the alternatives for efficient home lighting. I ordered a 24" CCFL lamp and 12v inverter from http://www.elwirecheap.com for $26.50 including shipping. I received the lamp yesterday so I haven't played with it a lot. I can say that the output of this one lamp is about the same at a 20 to 30 watt incandescent light. I run it off of an adapter with an output of 12v at .3A. This runs the lamp fairly bright and with no flicker. The CCFL lamp seems to be very efficient. The lamp color (white) is more a bluish color very much like the old fluorescent lights. Some people are bothered by this bluish color. It doesn't bother me. The level of light is fairly high for the amount of power being used. I haven't tried reading with this light yet but I don't expect any surprises. I plan on buying at least three more lamps and then I'll set them up to replace the four 40 watt incandescent lights in my bathroom. This'll be the second part of my testing to see if they will work as well as I hope. If they do work well then I'll be using them to replace many of the lights through out the house. The initial cost is high but the life of the lamp is 15 to 20,000 hours. I did get a kick out of connecting the lamp inverter directly to my 12v/40watt solar panel and it lit the lamp without any problem at all. In my future home in the back country these might be the only electric lamps in the house possibly with supplemental reading lamps of kerosene or oil. Only one caution, if you order from ElWireCheap, don't expect anything for customer service, they stink. They don't answer emails or phone calls. The order was delivered in 10 days including weekends and Christmas even though it had a two day shipping. During that time though I couldn't get an answer from anyone at ElWireCheap as to when the order was shipped. The product does seem to be fair quality. I may search for another merchant though.
« Last Edit: December 28, 2004, 07:52:37 PM by tcrenshaw »
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ferry82

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Introduce A useful B2B website of apparel.
« Reply #12 on: August 15, 2006, 03:31:29 AM »
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« Last Edit: August 15, 2006, 03:31:29 AM by ferry82 »
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ferry82

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Re: Tell me about cold-cathode lights
« Reply #13 on: October 26, 2006, 11:34:02 PM »




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« Last Edit: October 26, 2006, 11:34:02 PM by ferry82 »
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fungus

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Re: Tell me about cold-cathode lights
« Reply #14 on: October 27, 2006, 06:16:33 AM »
can someone please delete all this spam and this comment
« Last Edit: October 27, 2006, 06:16:33 AM by fungus »
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