Any comp-modders / electricians out there care to help?

flaagan

Sup dudes, got a bit of a 'problem' hopefully someone could give me a hand figuring out.

I've got a bunch of cold cathode tubes left over from various case mods, like this:
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0248877

What I'd like to do is figure out a way to rig them up to run off a regular power strip without having to be hooked up to a PSU; want to put them to use back lighting a few things.

Any ideas or input on what I can do for that setup?

Xaltar

Check out the specs of the unit then just get a suitable power addapter. Cold Cathodes can be either 12v or 5v if memory serves but the amp rating varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. A decent amprage multi volt adapter should be all you need.

notman

Yeah, basically there is a real simple circuit you can build, if you're any good with a soldering iron and feel up to it. Otherwise, look for a 5v or 12v DC adapter and hack it to work. Just make sure it's DC, since sometimes I've seen adapters that reduce voltage, but still have an AC output.

Justin Meisse

oh yeah, hook your DC adapter up to a multimeter first, I have one rated for 7v that gives off something like 14v and a 12v that's only outputting 5v - basically the manufacturing quality is shit on most of 'em. Granted, these are from my big box of wall-warts that I've saved from old broken routers and switches.

oh yeah, those lights use an inverter that convert DC to AC, so maybe there's a way to run the straight off of AC? Beats me, I don't know much about AC stuffs.