easy cold cathode alternative

[taintedplay]

in the end of each of the guns on the galage project, i want a faint red glow to illuminate. i want this as simple and cheap as possible. i was thinking about cold cathodes, but there alot bigger than i need. is there anything else small i could use? i dont really want to have to wire some led's. maybe 4 inch cold cathodes that are red?

[Mach]

Like this

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/3003/lit-56/Logisys_4_Cold_Cathode_Kit_Dual_Ready_-_Red.html?tl=g6c75s130

[BuzzKillington]

I know you don't want to wire LEDs but one red LED would probably put off a good glow and is about as simple and cheap as a mod could possibly be. lol

[slaveofconvention]

There are definitley 4" red CC's available - almost certain I have a set or two lying around, but the problem with CC's is they usually have a pretty thick block on the end of them - I'm with Buzz - go with LED's - if you shop around and get 5v ones instead of the more common 3v, you won't even need to mess around with resistors, just connect them directly between the Red 5v and one of the black grounds....

[taintedplay]

any links to some red 5v ones? and so i would just wire them directly to my psu?

[Mach]

No they always require transformers that are 12 volt. You're looking for leds if you're wanting to wire directly to 5v.

[slaveofconvention]

Where are you - US? UK? Aus?

[taintedplay]

i said led?

and im in dallas. so US

[Mach]

Ahh gotcha, thought you we're talking about the cathode. Sorry no links to direct 5v.

[slaveofconvention]

http://www.eled.com/product.asp?catalog%5fname=leds&category%5fname=resistor+%2d+5v+led&product%5fid=e53srd5v
http://www.weisd.com/store2/LINB4302H1-5V.php

[d_stilgar]

you should search for EL wire. The stuff is great. No heat. Low power. Long and flexible. Fairly bright.