College Project.

craaaaaig · 10 Nov 2008 at 22:12

I am now in my second year of a course in electronics I have to do a project, for one of my ideas I want to create a USB powered light.

The thing is I want it to use cold cathode(s?) and be powered by USB.. so I thought I'd post here as surely someone would be able to advise me.
So would this be possible??

Thanks

Conrad11 · 10 Nov 2008 at 22:27

I am no electrician but is it not as simple as connecting the power pin of a usb cable to the power pin of a cold cathode with a step-up transformer?

EDIT: I realise that this information maybe useless, but it might be worth googling over.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_cathode

ins0mn1ac · 10 Nov 2008 at 23:03

College Project! To OCuK forums to cheat!

craaaaaig · 11 Nov 2008 at 00:34

deleted said:
College Project! To OCuK forums to cheat!

Exactly!

Conrad11 said:
I am no electrician but is it not as simple as connecting the power pin of a usb cable to the power pin of a cold cathode with a step-up transformer?

EDIT: I realise that this information maybe useless, but it might be worth googling over.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_cathode

Yes, I'm hoping it will be this easy.. I'll possibly integrate a switch too. I wanted to do something simple, everyone else is doing ridiculous things with sensors and motors etc but we haven't been briefed to do anything that complicated so I'm not going too!

The main information I'm looking for is what I'll need to actually gain power from the USB, how to do so and how much is available. I have googled it but I'm looking for some tips and advice from those more educated than myself here

misterPK · 11 Nov 2008 at 10:46

The only thing I'd be worried about is checking the current rating of the USB is up to it. Also if you do get to the building stage, I'd work from a powered hub rather than your pc. They are cheaper to replace if something goes horribly wrong!

PK!