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UV problem

E

essi1553

Limp Gawd
Joined
Mar 6, 2005
Messages
303
Ok to make this quick and easy, I think I'm overloading my inverter with 2 sets of UV lights combined into 1 Inverter.

I currently have 1 set of 80mm lights and 1 set of 12 inch lights, all hooked into one inverter.

They all light about halfway, however when I un-hook one set, the other set gets more power (shines brighter). So I have determined it is the inverter that cannot handle the load I am putting on it.

How do I get around this problem? Is there a more powerful inverter out there? Can I just hardwire to a molex connector? Any other ideas/solutions?

I'm very angry, I just spent about 2 hours re-wiring my case and those brand new lights to get to this precarious position.

Thanks,

Essi
 
so when you unhook the one set, the other shines completely and not half way?
 
Qtip42 said:
so when you unhook the one set, the other shines completely and not half way?
Click to expand...

No when I unhook one set, the remaining set shines brighter but not all the way.

I think this is because before i changed the wires each light was on its own channel, now I have 2 lights per channel, meaning each channel is not capable of supporting 2 lights.
 
You should not usa an inverter in anyway other than it is designed to be used nor should you modify the high tension leads to the tubes you may be creating a fire hazard. the inverters can run warm and should be in a well vented spot. some people have had burning issues prob because they mod the kits or jam them in tight spots where arcing can occur if the insulation on the high tension leads is compromised.
 
jman1 said:
You should not usa an inverter in anyway other than it is designed to be used nor should you modify the high tension leads to the tubes you may be creating a fire hazard. the inverters can run warm and should be in a well vented spot. some people have had burning issues prob because they mod the kits or jam them in tight spots where arcing can occur if the insulation on the high tension leads is compromised.
Click to expand...

Well thank you, but i still need a solution, not to mention running 2 inverters is not an option.

there is no way I did all that wiring, and heatshrink tubing just to stick two of those big ugly inverters in there.
 
Qtip42 said:
look for a more powerful inverter?
Click to expand...

Where do I find something like that meant for computers? Mind you I am new to this whole light and fan controller thing. But is that similair to a rehobus (sp) ie the vantec nexus one?
 
Hate to say this, but looks like you got in over your head a bit here Essi.

essi1553 said:
I currently have 1 set of 80mm lights and 1 set of 12 inch lights, all hooked into one inverter.
Click to expand...
Was the inverter made to power all those lights? The inverter is made what it is made for.
Ignoring that is just asking for problems.

essi1553 said:
Well thank you, but i still need a solution, not to mention running 2 inverters is not an option.

there is no way I did all that wiring, and heatshrink tubing just to stick two of those big ugly inverters in there.
Click to expand...
jman1 was only speaking the truth. The inverters are made for a specific resistance.
Modifying the high tension leads (wire from inverter to light) negates that. In my opinion
this is the source of many inverter fire stories. Improper modding.
Don't forget, those CCFL inverters are putting out over 400V, but at low amps.

P. S. - want a more powerful inverter? Check out these made to power 24" tubes.

Even those are made with a specific purpose in mind so may not be your total solution.
Your best bet would be to power the lights with the inverters they came with. And not
modify the length of the high tension leads unless you are confident you can keep the resistance
values as they were originally designed for.
 
Susquehannock said:
Hate to say this, but looks like you got in over your head a bit here Essi.


Was the inverter made to power all those lights? The inverter is made what it is made for.
Ignoring that is just asking for problems.


jman1 was only speaking the truth. The inverters are made for a specific resistance.
Modifying the high tension leads (wire from inverter to light) negates that. In my opinion
this is the source of many inverter fire stories. Improper modding.
Don't forget, those CCFL inverters are putting out over 400V, but at low amps.

P. S. - want a more powerful inverter? Check out these made to power 24" tubes.

Even those are made with a specific purpose in mind so may not be your total solution.
Your best bet would be to power the lights with the inverters they came with. And not
modify the length of the high tension leads unless you are confident you can keep the resistance
values as they were originally designed for.
Click to expand...

Well thank you for politily telling me im SOL :)

Thanks for all the responses guys, you have shown me the light. I'm really weary of having 2 inverters in there but I guess thats my only choice for the time being. Once again thanks everyone.

If anyone does stumble onto a solution that works please let me know :)
 
i think you should build a custom inverter, and be done with it. modifying the AC lines to the tube is not a big ass deal, you have to use the same type of wire though, and the inverter output IMPEDANCE may need tweaked, by changing out a few things, i've had to do this to get the tube somewhere i couldnt put the inverter with it, 15" leads? no problem.
 
I wonder if that is what happened to me, I had a 12in blue cold cathod and I ordered the duel 4in UV lighting kit from frozencpu. I have had case modding experience before, but for some reason the power unit fried, melted the plastic housing and scared the crap out of me one night while I was playing guild wars and my computer lost all power and had an acrid smoke smell.

Although I didn't try to run them both through one power unit, perhaps I got some arcing as you mentioned. . .
 
Darkala said:
i think you should build a custom inverter, and be done with it. modifying the AC lines to the tube is not a big ass deal, you have to use the same type of wire though, and the inverter output IMPEDANCE may need tweaked, by changing out a few things, i've had to do this to get the tube somewhere i couldnt put the inverter with it, 15" leads? no problem.
Click to expand...
You are right. We have to remember such a project (DIY inverter) may be a big deal to those
with no experience. Electronics is like machinery in that most people can look at it & have
no clue how it works. They just want it to do it's thing when the ON switch is pressed..
 
Susquehannock said:
You are right. We have to remember such a project (DIY inverter) may be a big deal to those
with no experience. Electronics is like machinery in that most people can look at it & have
no clue how it works. They just want it to do it's thing when the ON switch is pressed..
Click to expand...

Give me a schematic, and it will be done :)
 
Umm, from what im reading on the descriptions of the Vatec nexus fan/light controller I am puzzled.

It says "BUILT IN Inverter" and has control for up to 4 fans/lights, why won't this solve my problem?

"LUCY you have eslapining to do"
 
essi1553 said:
It says "BUILT IN Inverter" and has control for up to 4 fans/lights, why won't this solve my problem?
Click to expand...
the "Built-In Dual CCFL Inverter" they mention is for controlling the 2 blue cold cathodes that are included with that particular controller. it isn't intended to be used with additional lights. for those, you'd still have to connect your original inverter, whether it's to the same channel or not. in fact, the 4th channel of the controller is specifically designated to be used with the included lights, and nothing else, really.

check it out: here is one of the two models at Newegg

look at the 3rd picture; it shows the inverter on the left with 2 CCFL connectors. that inverter isn't incorporated across all of the channels.
 
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