6" and 12" CCFL tubes have same brightness? Why would I want a big one, then?

[MichaelD]

I'm

According to SVC's pages, both the 6" and the 12" CCFL tubes have the same brightness of 29,000 cd/m2.

6-inch tube

12-inch tube

Is this correct? If it IS correct, why would anyone want the bigger tubes? They take up more room in the case and could possibly be harder to position due to their length.

Do people prefer the longer tubes for more "light coverage?" I.E. the tube projects a wider swath of light than the 6"?

Thanks for answering the case lighting newbie questions.

 

[cheapgoose]

I dunno, probably the bigger one puts out more light. same brightness but covers more area?

so yea, like you said, more coverage.

 

[MichaelD]

Anyone else?

 

[MichaelD]

Anyone else?

 

[blade]

Same brightness, but a longer one will put out more light just because it is longer. More coverage, as cheap said.

If you have a place for a side fan on your window, using a small round angel mod cathode on that fan will brighten your case more than 2-3 long cathodes placed along the sides or top or bottom. Because of the more centered placement. For example

 

[MichaelD]

Thanks very much, Blade. One question, please

I've noticed that a lot of these kits have very short wires b/t the inverter and the bulb. Can you just extend the wire (solder, of course) with the same gauge wire, or is it some kind of "high voltage" wire? Thanks.

 

[blade]

You're welcome

Never tried that but I don't see why you can't extend the wires. But the angel mod has a foot between the light and the inverter, see here. Most others from svc have around 8-10 inches between the inverter and light. As you can see from the pic, the angel mod has twice as many wires from the inverter. That's because there are actually 2 lights on the mod, one small one in the center and the outer one. Looks like a lot of trouble to extend that many.

 

[yhelothar]

read..
29,000 cd/m2

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: virtualgames0
read..
29,000 cd/m2

I don't get it. Are you correcting a typo? Did I leave something out?

 

[DeeTees]

All other things being equal, a 12" tube will put out twice the light of a 6" tube since it has twice the area. The specification is candlepower per square meter (of emitting surface area).

 

[Mday]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
Thanks very much, Blade. One question, please

I've noticed that a lot of these kits have very short wires b/t the inverter and the bulb. Can you just extend the wire (solder, of course) with the same gauge wire, or is it some kind of "high voltage" wire? Thanks.

this is a high voltage wire. if you do get one, read the labeling on the wire to find out what type. the ones on my cathodes have a silicon rubber insulation, and rated for 3000 V (3 kilivolts). since CC are low amp, it uses 22awg. (svc is my cource, btw ;-) )

in case anyone doesnt know: wire gauge determines the amperage (thickness of wire) and insulation determines the voltage, usually.

the cathode itself is cheap, get whatever length will fit your applications. most of the cost is the labor required to properly prep the cathode and the cost of the inverter.

i bought svc's extensions, and used them. first, it's a pain in the ass to splice properly and i didnt feel like spending $20 on proper wires. and it was cheap.

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: Mday

Originally posted by: MichaelD
Thanks very much, Blade. One question, please

I've noticed that a lot of these kits have very short wires b/t the inverter and the bulb. Can you just extend the wire (solder, of course) with the same gauge wire, or is it some kind of "high voltage" wire? Thanks.

this is a high voltage wire. if you do get one, read the labeling on the wire to find out what type. the ones on my cathodes have a silicon rubber insulation, and rated for 3000 V (3 kilivolts). since CC are low amp, it uses 22awg. (svc is my cource, btw ;-) )

in case anyone doesnt know: wire gauge determines the amperage (thickness of wire) and insulation determines the voltage, usually.

the cathode itself is cheap, get whatever length will fit your applications. most of the cost is the labor required to properly prep the cathode and the cost of the inverter.

i bought svc's extensions, and used them. first, it's a pain in the ass to splice properly and i didnt feel like spending $20 on proper wires. and it was cheap.

Thanks much, Mday; that's very good info. I wonder if case-mod sells the extensions? I'll check.


DeeTees, thanks for that clarification; I did not know that.