Could I connect a CCFL tube directly to the mains by any means. I am wanting to use some tubes to provide under cabinet lighting in my kitchen.
Yeah, a transformer will be needed. CCFL tubes that modders use run ~1Kv, 220v won't do much. If you can't find a suitable ready-made trafo, I'm sure someone here will tell you how to build one with lots of WARNING: AC IS DANGEROUS statements. All I know is that a 1:5 turns ratio is what you need to kick up the 220v to ~1Kv (or is it 5:1, I can't remember if its primary:secondary or vice versa).
It's 1:5 primary:secondary, but I am wondering about the frequency... Doesn't the inverter pulse the current in the kHz range?
This is going right over my head guys. I haven't a clue what you mean TBH. Isn't it a case of just getting a 12V transformer as opposed to a 1000V that you suggest ? Surely a PC doesn't provide this sort of power to a tube ?
If your still going to use the Invertor that you have - then yes I'm pretty sure all you need to do is supply the inverter with 12V - the replies above seem to think u want to loose the inverter completely (don't do anything on my advice by the way I'm not sure)
If you can find a suitably rated (I.e. capable of supplying 500mA per tube) mains to 12VDC power supply then it's simply a matter of connecting the output of this power supply to the input to your CCFL inverter. Why not just use a slim flourescent fitting though? They're designed for this kind of application and won't leave high voltage wires exposed/dangling.
I am wanting to use these so I can have blue coloured lighting instead of plain bright white. I am after subtle lighting not searchlight bright. Also CCFLs are so cheap now I thought it would save a few quid
you can connect the ccfl to the mains with a wall wart (the big boxes with a plug built in and a cord coming out) you can buy them or rip them off old answering macines, cordless phones, battery chargers, ect... Find one that is close to 12 volts, like 9 to 13 volts, and DC. cut off the connecter and splice it onto the cold cathode inverter. Check the polarity with a voltmeter. btw this is a wall wart. Or if you want premaid then try this. I think that most online stores that carry el lighting and cold cathodes, will have something like that. elwirecheap is just the first thing I found from google. Even though the afformetiond products are for neon wire, the same setup should work for cold cathodes.
if i were you i would make a transformer using 100 turns on the primary coil using quite wide wire, and on the second coil i would use 500 turns, that way you dont have to use QUITE so wide wire also that gives insulation make sure EVERYTHING IS INSULATED. MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS INSULATED. thanks. the transformer should look like this Code: ____________________ | ________ | | | | | | 100 | | 200 | | turns| |turns | | |_______| | |__________________ |
