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Im going to get some moonlighting happening on my tank. I have looked at leds but have found a cold cathode neon blue tube that will do the job nicely (at smiths for the australian people).

Transformer ac/dc
My question is it needs 12V DC 350ma to power it. I have 2 adaptors at home already , one is a 12V 1000ma the other a 9 volt 1000ma. Will these work? is it too much current.
Both these are unregulated(cant change voltage).

If the current is ok would the 9v still work but less brightness?

thanks...

Neon tube was found at DSE Richard smiths electronics
$35

looks like the first name got deleted...i wasnt being rude

I don't have the specifics of the "neons" you have but genrally speaking neaon type lighting will be designed for a minimum voltage. If yours requries 12v/350mA the 12v/1000mA supply would be more than sufficient. I do not believe the 9v supply will have sufficient voltage to fire the neon lighting.

Hmmm... don't you just hate google I stand corrected on the 9V - http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_moonlight.php

Bottom line is the 9V isn't going to damge the neon's so try it and see what you get.

hth

AS an ex D1ck Smith employee I can tell you the 9v should not work the 12v will be fine tho, the thing with current is you can have too much but not too little, so go with the 12v it should work fine

Cold Cathode Flourescent Lights (CCFL's) are NOT neon lights! Cold cathodes are supposed to run at like 680v (AC I think...most come with an inverter)... neon's should be able to run at 12v DC...

<---uses CCFL's and neon's in computer cases (like the kind with the windows and lights and everything)

CCFL's tend to run cooler than neon's IME, so unless you're trying to heat the tank with it you should probably go with CCFL....they're usually cheaper, smaller (but longer), and have a higher light output than neon's anyway...

You can get some cheap (think $5) CCFL and/or neon light setups at http://www.xoxide.com and rig up to your adapter. On Xoxide.com look under the case lighting tab

You can check out the link to my site in my profile, if you want to see my main computer (that's the only one I've got pics of up there right now...getting new pics up this weekend probably...)...go to Computers>Storm and scroll down to see the pics

Have fun

EDIT- HERE is a nice cold cathode kit for a decent price

Last edited by poisonwaffle at 02-May-2005 16:00