AC Ryan Lights Problem

[xiphrex]

Hi,

I bought the AC Ryan TWIN30 CCFL Light - 2 x 30cm Blue and it was delivered today. Installed it easy enough and everything was looking great.

Then I check the case just now and something was not right - it was as if they werent on.

Opened up the case and found that the inverter had melted.

Luckily I put it at the front of the case in the corner on its own so it didnt burn anything else. Really surprised this has happened. Is this the usual for inverters to burn out like this.

Im going to return them, got them off OCUK, but I hope I dont have to pay delivery, they are only £5!

Are there any safer alternatives to this make of cold cathode tube? This was the first time I was trying out AC Ryan and I think Im lucky that the thing melted itself rather than cause a fire and/or destroy the PSU...

Also is it normal for one of the tubes to come without an end bit?

 

[xiphrex]

welcome to acryan stuff ive had some bad smoke coming from a pc before because of cathodes

i coudlnt beliveve how much some came from the pc i thought it was propper on fire

Holy crap thats awful!

To be honest it was also a coincidence that today the builder put some stuff in the loft to suck out all the moisture that also gives off this really strong smell. I thought it was that but looking back now I think what I was smelling was the smell of plastic melting!

Pretty dodgy lights though, I mean I dont want to be out of the house and worry about whether these things are going to cause a fire or not!

 

[xiphrex]

What I have noticed is that the melted plastic on the inverter is on the same side that has the connection to the tube with no end on it.

Is it possible that the tube with no end had a lower resistance so it fried the inverter as it was trying to cope?

I already have 3 LED's but they arent bright enough and its hard to direct them to where I want the light. Its a shame as I really liked the glow produced by the tubes. Might give them another try, maybe a different make like akasa (which was more expensive, maybe you get what you pay for).

 

[xiphrex]

Ive got cold cathodes all over. I have some in my boot as its better than the bulb in there, I have red ones for astronomy striplights. And am designing a tent light using the same. I have them behind the monitor etc. You didnt happen to stuff them out of the way, as they need a bit of airflow. This is the first time I have heard of cathodes melteing etc. I wouldnt worry. You were unlucky tbh.

Yeah I think so too, going to try again but with Sharkoon branded ones.

 

[xiphrex]

Just got the Sharkoon ones and so far so good

Hope it stays that way!

But I think what happened to me has to have something to do with the fact that there is a tube with no end on it. Looking at all 4 of the sharkoon ones I got, they all have ends, plus all the photos of other AC ryan tubes have ends as well.