Cold cathode fluoro, been there, done that, pics to follow

[Agu]

The output of the inverters recommended to me for 1 pair of bulbs is ..........



"Technical/Catalog Information 289-1026-ND
Standard Package 25
Category Optoelectronics
Family Inverters
Vendor JKL Components Corp.
Type Inverters for CCFL & UV Lamps

Voltage-Input 12 V

Output 1500V/5mA"

Can someone back engineer what the 12v transformer needs to put out ?

 

[Agu]

Here's the blue alone over an acan,

Here it is over a rock anemone,

Here's the anemone under daylight bulbs,

In general the luminescence seen under actinics was spotty at best with the cold cathode bulbs.

I'm still looking for a cheap 12 v 1500mA transformer to see if that brightens the bulbs appreciably

 

[Agu]

Got a 12v 1500mA transformer, these bulbs are obviously brighter. In comparison to the 18w CFL there's no difference. (actually I'd say the CCFL are brighter)I'd post pics but I can't tell which pic is of which bulbs. Took a couple of extra pics that I missed in my notes.

Also hooked up two sets to the 12v 1500mA transformer and the third set to a seperate 12v 500mA transformer. Although I was overdriving them there's no apparent increase in light output.

I'm arranging a light meter (or is that a lux meter) and will be doing some controlled comparisons.

The 12v 1500mA transformer is really hot to the touch, is that normal ?

 

[Cobalt]

keep up the good work!

 

[Agu]

The 12v 1500mA transformer is really hot to the touch, is that normal ?

 

[Agu]

The 12v 1500 mA transformer is running really hot, is that normal ?

What is the output in mA of a molex plug from a computer power supply ?

Basically I'm trying to figure out the optimum power supply for these bulbs.

 

[nynex]

Ya my 12 volt 1500ma got pretty hot too. I think thats normal.

See...the brightness really cranked up when you got the bigger power supply..

 

[Agu]

Running the four whites on a 1500mA transformer and the blues on a 500mA transformer and really like the intensity and color on my 5.5. . The bulbs run cool and the light is evenly distributed over the tank. so far no negative impact on the corals.

I'm going to leave it for a couple of more months and report back but I think CCFL has a future over nano tanks.


fwiw,jmo,bni,

 

[ct_vol]

Tagging along...

 

[arts007]

I use these types of lights on my 40 gallon. I have a pair of white and a pair of blue for transition from actinics to blue/white LEDs. It gives it a soft white/blue dusky appearance. I have them on a variable voltage ac/dc transformer.

 

[Agu]

5.5 under CCFL lighting,

 

[Agu]

It's been a year and the lights are going strong with no apparent color shift or nuisance algae. The trumpet has doubled it's heads, the euphyllia has had to be fragged three times and the acan grown by 50%. Not the fastest growth but in a nano that's not a bad thing.