Neon not getting enough power?

[[LvN]N3misiS]

i brought a neon light and it works fine when running off a ciggarette lighter which is what it was intended to run off, but when i plug it into a 12v line on my pc only one end glows and it glows very dimly... so is there any solution that will allow it to glow brighter... or will i have to resort to using batterys :/

btw i have a 300w power supply

[SilverPriest]

Umm, you plugged it into the yellow and black wires respectively?
Those neons draw like 10 watts MAX.
Check what voltages you are running to it man.

[[LvN]N3misiS]

i used the red and black... could be the problem

[SilverPriest]

Red and black is 5 volts mate.
Swap it to the yellow and you'll be away laughing :)
Red = 5V line
Yellow = 12V Line
Black = ground

[[LvN]N3misiS]

hmmm i guess i just proved how much of a n00b i am :P

[SilverPriest]

Yer only human mate, but i do suggest you read up on computer power supplies before fiddling with 'em next time ;)
www.7volts.com is one of many good resources :)

[[LvN]N3misiS]

well it works now... ta silver

[OberoN]

I hope you realise also that the automotive Neons are not designed to run in PC's & may cause strange things to happen to your sound / modem / video.

[[LvN]N3misiS]

.... :/ tell me more....

[OberoN]

There is a warning on the box (packet) when you buy them that tells you not to use them near computer equipment.

I have seen ppl with strange sounds coming from their speakers. I have also seen screen interference lines etc. on my own pc (With Warehouse neon!) I read in another forum only a few days ago that someone was having thier modem disconnect on them when they switched it on. (I think thats BS personally)

But it's something to keep in mind if strange things happen take it out or dont use it.

[[LvN]N3misiS]

yeah i read the warning on the packet but dismissed it as the manafacturer just trying to cover there arse in case it stuffed up something

[OberoN]

Me too! (ignored warning) I've had no problems with mine except the lines on screen but that rarely happens so it doesn't bother me.

[SecretSquirrel]

I've had mine running for months, without any hassles at all, no glitches or anything...

Of course, I had to remove it recently when I accidentally broke the plastic casing around the actual tube, trying to remove it off the bottom of the case to install another fan. Bugger.

[Wibber]

hot glue is your friend

[RedeviL]

Originally posted by OberoN
Me too! (ignored warning) I've had no problems with mine except the lines on screen but that rarely happens so it doesn't bother me.

If ya worried about it, get some Insulation tape and some tin foil.

Surround where the inverter is located with tin foil, then tape it with the tape. Bingo, instant insulation.

The inverter looks something like this (not exactly this transformer, but looks similar):
http://www.dse.co.nz/isroot/dse/images/products/M2154.JPG

[[LvN]N3misiS]

is it because the transformer produces a electro magnetic field of some sort? :?

[mird-OC]

all the hoo haa about "this kinda neon is better than that kinda neon coz this one is a proper casemod neon" is just HOO HAA. they're all the same damn thing.

so remember, that's HOO HAA!!!

[Wibber]

mine is in static bag... hot glued to case....... remember, hot glue is your friend

[SecretSquirrel]

I didnt bother sticking mine in a bag, and lucky too, it was fvcking hot on the inverter end...hence the reason for the 120mm fan sucking air past it! It was causing a stagnation of hot heat at the bottom of the case, along with the harddrive...although when the neon was off, there was little heat, so it was most likely that little light...

[OberoN]

Originally posted by [LvN]N3misiS
is it because the transformer produces a electro magnetic field of some sort? :?

Ever switched ur PC on too close to ur TV? - Got interference? Same deal basically.

[RedeviL]

Originally posted by [LvN]N3misiS
is it because the transformer produces a electro magnetic field of some sort? :?

Exactly as OberoN said.

But since most cases actually act as a sheild, the electro field generally doesnt get out.
But it can, if strong enough, cause havoc with the electrical signals runnin all over the mobo.

[Smudge]

RedeviL, just point ta note tinfoils conductive so tape it then tinfoil. ;oP just if any does it the otherway & wonder why there case id on fire :)

[Wibber]

I stuck it in a bag cos I didn't want to hot glue it straight to the case... and I had a bag handy

[RedeviL]

Originally posted by Vizious
RedeviL, just point ta note tinfoils conductive so tape it then tinfoil. ;oP just if any does it the otherway & wonder why there case id on fire :)

Good point :D

Shoulda made that clearer ;)

[Grrr!!]

Can't be as bad as having a huge electromagnet on top of the monitor. (I have seen one idiot do this, I could've sold him a new monitor, he thought his was faulty :D)

[dumass]

I have a 'proper' PC case neon (u know the type) and i get hedaches from it if i wear headphones hard out gaming for about 3hours or longer. Doesnt happen when it is off.

A guy aproached me with the same problem at one of the inspire lans a while back, he said it was cuzz of a really high pitched hum/squeak that did it..

[jeef]

remember, hot glue is your friend

sure is... just dont touch the glue while its still hot... it sticks to your finger and... well, yeh :eek:

:D

[Method]

whats with those cold cathadode ones? there not neon ay? brighter ect ect and more expencive... are they ne good?

[Gene]

They work on very much the same principal:
www.cathodelightingsystems.com/whatiscoldcathode.htm

[Method]

so cold caths are better? like there made for lighting stuff and last longet and you can only turn a neon on round 5000 times b4 it dies?
but are neons still good for lighting? there good enough ay?

[Gene]

Those figures are very relative with a pinch of sales hype thrown in for general confusion. :D

Neons are just fine for general use. In general the 12V invertered ones actually last a little longer by comparison to their 220V kindred. :D

[Grrr!!]

Moral of the story: keep your lights going :).

[ktulu]

cold cathodes are significantly brighter than standard neons... all other hype aside.