Cold Cathode moonlighting

These are the parts I used, you can use different ac/dc adapters. Even different cold cathodes kits.
If you decide to order online, http://www.xoxide.com/coldcathodes.html has cheap lights.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5694040 I paid the $15.49, seems they're on sale now.


http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?summary=summary&techSpecs=techSpecs&currentTab=summary&custRatings=custRatings&features=features&accessories=accessories&productId=2271470&support=support&tab=accessories $19.99 but cheaper online, google for them.


The first step is cutting the ends off the cables. On the power adapter cut is close to the plug end. On the inverter for the cathodes, cut the main wire that runs from the inverter, as far from the inverter as you can. I threw that switch away a long time ago, it conect to your computer's power supply. If you have cold cathodes made for a car, they also work and won't have that part on them.

Now the fun part, don't worry, you won't get shocked. Hook up the wire ends, and plug in the power adapter, if it works GREAT! If not unplug and switch the wires around and retry, they should work now. On my combination the wiring seemed backwards, but this is the only way they would work.

You can solder the wires if you like, it would help keep them from pulling apart and make a better connection in the long run. I did, but the pic didn't turn out. I was out of shrink tubing, electrical tape works fine.


Installation is easy. Find somewhere to run the wires. The lights unplug from the inverter, so you can slip them into tight spaces.




The next 2 steps are interchangeable.

Secure the wire from the DC power adapter to your main lighting cord, to keep it from getting pulled out. It also plugs into the inverter. In the top of the pic you can see the inverter, I taped it to the top of the canopy to keep it secure.


Figure out where you want the cathodes to go, I put mine on my fixture just because it was polished and may help reflect the light. Basically you can put them wherever you like, away from the water. If put high enough over the surface, they make ripples on your substrate, pretty neat effect. Mine are 4.5inches off the surface and I get a small effect of it.


Here they are set at 12volts

And at 6volts.



And a short animation with the tank lights on, and off, and cathodes at different settings.