Electronics powering molex device from USB power supply

hi, i came up with the idea of mounting a blue neon under my monitor to backlight the stand and the stuff i keep underneath, and since its got several USB ports i wondered if it was possible to wire the inverter's power to the output of the USB. Im not even sure if USB provides enough power but i thought id ask if its possible

if it helps the inverter is only using 2 of the wires from the molex - the yellow and the black next to it.

Thanks

 

i believe cathodes run off 12v and usb can power 5v

 

i believe it wont work.. the neon runs on 12V which is the yellow wire and USB can only output 5V

best way to do it is run a molex from the case to where you want to...

 

if you really want to get technical you could do it, you would need a dc-dc converter, there are many different versions but i wouldnt reccomend it. it would be best to just run a molex out of your computer

 

ah that answered my question guys, cheers

 

Still technical, the current a CCFL uses is way over what USB is designed to deliver. A Bit tip is to fit some power sockets to a backplate to run external stuff. Add an inline 5A fuse to protect the PSU.

 

ahh fair enough, i didnt realise that ccfl's drew so much current.

 

While not meaning to pimp the sight but my mate runs http://www.neon-lights.co.uk he has on there mains powered inverters for neons and CCFL

Cheers

Kimbie

 

Or an appropriate 12V wall wart... 101 uses

 

i prefer the backplate idea never thought of that.

 

they dont, but once you step the 5v up to 12, more then doubling the current draw, and dont forget inneffiency of the DC-DC converter, you're pulling well over the 2.5w maximum power of USB.

2.5w @ 12v is only 208 mA, not much current at all.

 

if not and this may seem a bit over board mod wise. but does your pc monitor require a transformer or does it have an IEC that goes straight into the monitor. quite a few monitors run off 12v so you could mod the entire monitor if you felt you were able to

 

i tested mine just before i posted and mine was drawing 450mA which is a fair bit. and at 5v would be over an amp which is too much for a USB port

 

So why not slap it to two usb ports to load balance?

 

usually the load rating is for all of the one cluster together, but their might be more than one rail supplying the ports individually but you would still need 3 to cover the total loading. which i would not reccomend. i would just run cables from a molex or something. you could get a blank cover at the back and just put a socket in there and a plug on the end of the inverter, and then just power it from the inside of your computer, it would be alot neater. you could use 3.5mm audio connectors but someone will plug your speakers into it and blow them up, go to dicksmiths or tandy or radioshack and find a suitable connector for the job. clean and simple