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Make a cold cathode flicker?

M

mcnaryxc

n00b
Joined
Mar 12, 2007
Messages
4
Hey, I'm working on a case mod where the case looks all beaten up and caught on fire. For added effect, I want to make the cold cathodes flicker while running. But, I heard that cold cathodes nowadays are flicker-free.

Is there anyway electronically to get them to flicker? Any easy ways?
 
I remember having a cold cathode years ago that was controlled by a microphone built into the power adaptor, u could set the sensitivity so when it detects a noise it turns on, it was crazy when using the gatling gun in unreal tournament!!!!!

try ebay or sumthing to see if they are still around
 
OP, there are sound sensitive cathodes that respond directly to sound ... I suppose you could position the noise sensor near your hard drive or a noisy fan? Dunno, just a thought.
 
you think it would work if i plug in the cold cathode to my hard drive light jumper? that way it flickers when ever the hard drive is running?
 
tuberc said:
I remember having a cold cathode years ago that was controlled by a microphone built into the power adaptor, u could set the sensitivity so when it detects a noise it turns on, it was crazy when using the gatling gun in unreal tournament!!!!!

try ebay or sumthing to see if they are still around
Click to expand...

those were the shit!!!

music with bass or gunshots would make it go crazy haha :D
 
mcnaryxc said:
you think it would work if i plug in the cold cathode to my hard drive light jumper? that way it flickers when ever the hard drive is running?
Click to expand...
i think you are on to something here, but you may need a relay. I dont think the jumper will have enough power to power a cold cathode
 
badz24 said:
i think you are on to something here, but you may need a relay. I dont think the jumper will have enough power to power a cold cathode
Click to expand...

Good call. I'll have to look for one because I don't think it'll have enough power to power 3 12" CCFLs. I guess this will make up for not having a HDD light. :D
 
Would it be possible to get one of those fake flickering candles, part out the circuit, and hook up the CCFLs to the circuit? Maybe with some modification?
 
The last 4 sets of cathodes I've bought had the sound sensitive thing. And you can turn it to the highest and the slightest bump will set it off.
 
Using the hard drive led header is a good idea, but a relay won't operate fast enough to get a good flicker. Plus, depending on the relay you use, you might hear the click on the relay. You need something solid state to be fast enough for a flicker. Maybe one of these between the inverter and the ccfl tube:

http://www.bgmicro.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=11496&HS=1

Obviously 50A is way overkill, but you need a solid state relay as opposed to an electro-mechanical relay.

The other thing you could do is use a MOSFET transistor to buffer the output of the hard drive led header. I wouldn't recommend that though unless you have some electronics experience.
 
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