Cold Cathode (Scanner) Light

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Luc

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I've seen a lot of moon-lighting done with Cathode Lights. I wonder if (with enough lights in one setup) they would provide enough light for day-time / plantgrow...

My company recycles electronics, which is of course a great source for all types of 'spare-parts'. From many of my customers I receive scanners that we break down into basic materials.

The idea is to put a large amount of scanner lights (they're 24 cm long) in a frame. Then mount that frame on top of the tank. I estimate a Qty between 30 - 50 in total. Need to test some first to figure the best setup.
Heat is close to nothing with these, but my question is:

1. Light Output... Would it be enough to light up the tank (and get the flora growing.
2. Light 'spectrum': What will this be? 5000k, 6500k, 10,000k...

Any suggestions or experience would be very welcome.
 

Luc

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Update, pictures will follow on Monday (forgot my cable...sigh)
Anyhow, this is what I did for test-setup:

1. Cold Cathode Light from old scanners (including the powerboard, which regulates the electricity going into the light-strip.) 2 of them...
2. Took a 2 liter water-bottle, cut in half, put aluminium-tape on the inside.
3. 4 small holes for the wires on each of the 2 Cathodes.
4. Connect the Cathode Power boards.
(I tried parallel and series on 1 power-board, but with the same voltage, this switches on 1 light, the other one lights up only very dim, so you need individual boards for each light or find a higher output board)
5. Connect the power-boards to a 12V power-supply and voila...let there be light.

- Now, the light is very very bright. It really hurts your eyes. Even though the strips are only 24cm long and about 2mm diameter. It surely beats a standard 18W Fluorescent by a mile.
- They do not become hot at all, even the power-boards don't heat up.
- It's 12V, 0.5A. Much safer than running 220 in the hood.

As mentioned earlier, the question remains if the spectrum of light is ok for the plants, but that will be a matter of testing.

Since this was only a first test, the next step is building a strip.
- Use a PVC drain pipe, diameter 10-15cm.
- Cut in 2 halfs (Captain Obvious says Lenght wise!)
- Put in the aluminium-tape
- Drill holes for the wires
- Connect everything. Choice of putting the powerboards on top or outside the tank with only 'telephone-wires' running out of the hood, making everything very clean and tidy.

Given that the weight is really little compared to any other lamps and it is 12V, I guess that 1 PVC pipe of 1.4 with 10 of these Cathodes build in each half would light up my fish-tank like I'd never manage with 6 32W's.....
 

The Zigman

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What is the duty cycle of these lights? If I remember correctlly, they have to warm up a bit, and the scanner usually shuts them down when the scan is completed...

Sounds like a sweet plan though.
 

Luc

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As for the life-span, not too worried. From some web-searches, I found that this is one the parts in a scanner that lasts. In many DIY projects I read, I found that they are used often as case-mod lights for PC's and desk lamps. I concluded from that a long life-span even if continuously on.
I've had it on all night, (11.30pm now, closing down her) and it runs with no problems.
For sure gonna spend some time building a proper one to try it.

The only problem then is the K-rating if it is between 3000 and 5000. See how it performs in 'real life'. Had it on top of one of the tanks and even with only those 2 tiny lights, it lit up half the tank without a problem. 150x50x50cm tank...

Biggest plus is absolutely no heat. Not even on the Power-Supplies after hours of burning... (it's 34'C every day here, cooling difficulties).

Maybe some leds could help if placed in between with the right color/temperature??
 

Luc

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Not too sure about wattage...I think I read somewhere that they are not measured in wattage. Same like LED's...But overal wattage of a flatbed-scanner is typically around 20 watt, which includes the step-motor and electronics (Operational Mode...down to 4-6 watt standby).
Assuming that 15 watt (75%) of the energy would go into the light-source, then my idea of having 20 of these lights in a 99 Gallon tank would result in 3.03 Watt p/gallon.
So the amount of light works out, it will be a matter of 'correct light' which needs to be resolved still.
 

Fishfiles1

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man this is hard, i have always wanted to do moon light, but im afriad that it would be to hard to do
 

Luc

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Fishfiles1, try this link...it's really simple...just follow the instructions, add a blue sleeve arount the scanner light (you can buy them in every lamp-shop) and hang it inbetween your other lights...your moon-light all set to go.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Free-Cold-Cathode-Lighting/

Mgamer20o0, That's what I likely will start with indeed. Before going the mile of building complete strips of 1.5 meter each...As mentioned, some pictures monday of the trial first.

Thanks all for the input...
 
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