Hi guys,

After my LED project, here is another one:

I was given a set of two fluorescent for computers, but they are not working. I'll try to get them work, but with the knowledge in electronics I have, I will need some help. I posted pictures of the circuit so you can see yourself what I'm talking about.

1st: I saw that there is one burnt capacitor, the C4.
2nd: The capacitor C1 is missing.
That is all what I can tell.

3rd: The FUS(Or L1 ?), guess it's a fuse ? I see there is two small wires connected in each end it. Should they be in one piece ?
4th: Does the fluorescents work on AC or DC ? I'm pretty sure that the yellow thing is a transformer though...
5th: Does the fluorescents need to be sealed ? Because there is one I can pull out the ends(No weird smell in it), but not the other.

Edit: D'oh !!! I forgot to upload the pics !!! Here they are:

where are the pics?

sounds like you either need to buy an inverter or just get a new CCFL set... the time it would take you to identify, buy, and repair the inverter is too much for the pocket change you would save...

No I don't think the inverter is broken. I uploaded the pics in my first post. They will help you to answer to my 3 basic questions.

Thanks

looks to me like its burnt up, my inverters are just like those and they are pathetically cheap and burn out all the time.
here is a site that sells stuff like that. you can get 2 12in lights and an inverter for 6 bucks. i wouldnt get too frustrated over a $2 part.

http://www.svc.com/logisys-12ccfl.html

OH btw, i would be very careful messing with that thing out of its case....that inverter converts 12vt dc to over 600v.....(~630-680v i think) which will put a black spot on your fingers that smell like burnt steak. i know from experience

You're right, at this price maybe I'm better to throw them away and buy a new set... If if was only euh.. let's say the burnt capacitor and the missing one that needed to be fixed, I would have tried but if you say that the inverters are likely to burn, it can also be the problem...

Thanks a lot for your advices, guys

th c1 is only there if it is sound operated but yeah it's burnt out so you may as well buy new one and mod the bulbs you have to work with the next set. oh an it converts 12v to 6v lol not 600v lmao.

phil... are you just making everything up?

you don't mod the CCFLs (not bulbs)... all the inverters are basically identical... and they INVERT transform the voltage (i.e. upwards) to ~600V, which is needed for CCFL lights... what are you talking about lol

Lol you're making me laugh guys...





No seriously I will follow your advice Hardnrg and I will spend a few extra bucks to get new ones.