Author : Nate Broach


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flaagan's Avatar
Old (#1)
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_pr...uct_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?
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Xaltar's Avatar
Old (#2)
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.
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notman's Avatar
Old (#3)
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.
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Justin Meisse's Avatar
Old (#4)
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.

Last edited by Justin Meisse; 10-23-2008 at 07:36 AM..
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