Modding A Ccfl

[SnowWolf]

So, I have this spare set of red CCFL's sitting around, and ive already got lights IN my case. So, I had an idea, I want to modify them so I can put them behind my monitor, and give it a neat red glow. I was wondering if it was possible to modify the CCFL's to be USB powered.

 

I have a USB cable from a spare USB mouse :

 

 

There are 5 small wires connecting to it red,white,green,black,thick black (ground?)

 

Here are the CCFL's:

 

 

 

 

How would one go about doing this?

 

Thanks

[hardnrg]

the USB voltage is 5v whereas pretty much all inverters take a 12v input voltage... whether or not it would work at 5v is uncertain but not very likely... also the current draw may be a problem with USB... also not sure on that, the lack of voltage is the main problem...

 

the only way you could really do it would be to have a 12v line coming out of your computer... or if you have a tft monitor you could be really cool and jack it into the input power, but you'd probably have to make your own 12v regulator circuit...

[SnowWolf]

oh well, it was worth a try

[imm0rt41]

He never said it can't be done (and I can think of a few ways to do it) he was merely pointing out the problem of voltage

[jammin]

Surely a small transformer would sort out the voltage? as for current, you would probably be stuffed, I have no idea how much a ccfl draws or how much usb puts out.

[bishop245]

just make an extension cord basically that comes out a pci slot or something right off your psu

[TheSternMystic]

USB ports have a max. current draw of 500mAh. Draw more than they and you'll either fry your USB ports, or you'll fry your motherboard.

[knightfuelfire]

You could do a string of leds. They draw almost no power, and some of them run off of volts less than 5.

[liamstears]

You could do whats in the picture ive attached. all you need is some sort of connector

[suchuwato]

also, if you're modding the monitor you may be pushed fro space... check this out: http://www.twistedmods.com/article.php?artid=196

[martymcfly]

this thread gave me an idea. I had a ccfl on the top of my monitor (sound reactive) and now it looks much cooler behing the monitor. I once did the oposite of what you are trying to do. I bought a usb ccfl and didnt realize that it was usb until i got home. I just passed the cable through the back of the case. Maybe you can just use molex extensions and run the cable through the back of the case.

[kobalt]

Why dont you get one of those 12V little black PS you stick in a wall outlet used for walkmans and things, and just add an on/off switch

Edited January 29, 2005 by kobalt