possible mod a cold cathode tube to be mains powered ?

Snow-Munki · 25 Feb 2006 at 10:57

Hi,

have a couple of cold cathode tubes and was wondering if i can 'mod' it so i can plug it directly to mains plugs without using a PC ?

Got a few plans

Thanks

JonnyD · 25 Feb 2006 at 11:02

Use a 12volt mains adaptor. Wire the +ve terminal of the molex to the centre of the mains adaptor plug, and wire the -ve conector to the outer of the plug...tape it up and plug it in.

Raikiri · 25 Feb 2006 at 11:06

JonnyD said:
Use a 12volt mains adaptor. Wire the +ve terminal of the molex to the centre of the mains adaptor plug, and wire the -ve conector to the outer of the plug...tape it up and plug it in.

Followed shortly by cathode shards and screaming

Actually that should work

fatiain · 25 Feb 2006 at 11:22

Use an old ATX power supply?

Snow-Munki · 25 Feb 2006 at 11:23

sorry to sounds stupid but 12 volt adapter? umm any pictures what sort of thing i might need to buy or something ???

or any diy instructions / sites ?

sagaboy2 · 25 Feb 2006 at 12:09

He means those chunky black transformers you get with low power electrical goods if im not mistaken.

Yewen · 25 Feb 2006 at 13:54

sagaboy2 said:
He means those chunky black transformers you get with low power electrical goods if im not mistaken.

I think that is what he was hinting at.

Just one thing if your going to buy one, try and get one with a normal plug type connector, on + on - rather than the circular inside and outside arrangement, would make it easier to mod

sagaboy2 · 25 Feb 2006 at 14:21

Now I think about it. The voltage should be right at 12V but what about the Amps.

I thought cathodes need huge Ampage to work and its if the transformer will give you the high amps or not.

But I could be wrong. If it doesnt cost a lot to buy one you could always just try and see if it works or not.

Snow-Munki · 25 Feb 2006 at 14:27

so i wire the yellow +ve lead to the plug directly ? ( as in opening it up and wiring to live ? )

and then ground / black to the earth inside the plug ?

Mark A · 25 Feb 2006 at 16:05

You can get them from ebay for £4 for an un regulated one or £7 for regulated, they come with a socket with a few different attachments for different appliances. I got one as I'm going to mod a cathode into my desk so i can see the keyboard at night.

Mark

Mark A · 25 Feb 2006 at 16:07

Snow-Munki said:
so i wire the yellow +ve lead to the plug directly ? ( as in opening it up and wiring to live ? )

and then ground / black to the earth inside the plug ?

i wouldnt open the plug up, if anything cut the wires and twist together then tape or use heat shrink. If your all talking about the power supplys im thinking of then theres no need to earth and there are only 2 wires coming from the plug.

Mark