what is cold cathode flouresence

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I almost bought a neat little "reading lamp" that claims to have a 10 000 hour cold cathode japanese made flouresecnt tube that runs on 4 aa's. It had nice white light but is a bit too bulky for a flashlight.

Has anyone hacked one of these? How do they work? and how long do they last.

Has anyone seen these tubes in flashlights?

hobo

 

[jeff1500]

http://ledmuseum.home.att.net/arc.htm

Here's a nice review of one. I wonder if the tube glares in your eyes?

 

[geepondy]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by hobo:
I almost bought a neat little "reading lamp" that claims to have a 10 000 hour cold cathode japanese made flouresecnt tube that runs on 4 aa's. It had nice white light but is a bit too bulky for a flashlight.

Has anyone hacked one of these? How do they work? and how long do they last.
Has anyone seen these tubes in flashlights?

hobo<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Which light is this? I only know of the Eveready Arc White.

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

also check this string, "to light up a room" -other cold cathode fluorescent sources; http://www.candlepowerforums.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=001633

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I got little tube from a fried little tv set and I busted a longer one out of a scanner. It sure would be a thrill to get them to light up but I don't know what they need or how they work.

Thanks for telling me about the Energizer Arc white.

This is a place with the reading lamp-- http://www.leevalley.com/gifts/page.asp?page=45096&category=,45468&abspage=2&ccurrency=2&SID=

If these things really need 300-500v's (AC?) then we could use them as cattle prods.

Is there some kind of element in them or is it a giant arc or what?

hobo

 

[geepondy]

They do provide a nice light (based on the Eveready Arc White). I would think the book lamp is probably a fine product. Not sure about runtime.

 

[Badbeams3]

I have had one of these book lights for 2 years. I runs about 6 hours bright and fades from there. It`s a very sooth wide beam...great for an area light, tent light.

 

[PhilAlex]

When I was taking my light design course, I remember that Cold Cathode lamps were able to be dimmed using "brute force" (IE: Voltage Reduction) as opposed to "Hot Cathode" (Fluorescent) lamps being creamed when that happens.

Just my 2 cents

 

[Alexis]

You can buy them and the transformer needed to drive them at www.bgmicro.com It's on the first page of their catalog. Orvac in SoCal also has some.

They are actually very efficient light sources and are used in lcd displays.