cathode tubes wall powered

[DanSan]

is there anyway i can power some ccfl's by my wall outlet, cuz im looking to put some around my desk, without having to power them from molex connectors from my pc

[silverdemon]

easiest way to do that would be to buy another PSU and plug the CCFLs in there ... otherwise you'll have to find a way to get 12 Volt from your wall (I think it's 12 V, not sure, might be 5)

I would just bolt a PSU under the desk and run the power to the CCFLs from there...

[DaveW]

Wouldn't recommend playing with wall voltages if you don't know what your doing. A second PSU is an acceptable way to do this.

-Dave

[CanaBalistic]

There is another way thats very simple.

All you have to do is get a power adapter from radio shack (or any second hand store) that gives out the required voltage. I've had ones that are adjustable so they can power any small appliance. Cut the connector from the end of the wire and attach to your cathode box. Install a switch in the line so you can turn it off without unpluging the adapter.

I've done this many times for various things. If you get zaped its no big thing cause it 12v(i would recomend againt zaping yourself or your friends for fun). Obviously, make sure its not pluged in while cutting the wires...

[knightyc]

i used an old psu i found the right wires to add a switch and connected my cathodes as normal then i had some cool lights to see my keyboard on desk

[gaz_the_chav]

i took the easier option as Cana-Balsitic said I have got this set up at the moments and it works fine with a 12v adapter connected to my ccfl's and i have even got a switch on my computer!

http://myspace-730.vo.llnwd.net/00829/03/70/829010730_l.jpg

[CanaBalistic]

Wow... Let me sit back and take this all in... You actually found my input useful and went through with it to boot.

It is a glorious day! lol

Im glad it worked out for you. Who in thier right mind would hook up a huge second psu for what; 5 watts? Your case looks 733t!

[edit]
You could mount the adapter guts in your case and run some power wires to the PSU input jack and you wouldnt have that second wire hanging out of your case.

Just a thought...

[nzcubey]

It is a glorious day! lol


Haha, i second Cana-Balsitic, if you can put the innards of the power source into your machine.