Use Cold Cathode and Glass From Old Scanner?

[poohhairt]

I just had an idea:

Would it be possible to strip down and old scanner and use its cold cathode tube (with some colored glass or plastic laid over it) as a case light and use its glass as a window? I don't think it is real glass, so it seems like it should work. The molding for the case window can be found in automotive glass places, 2 piece molding with locking strip. Seems like it'd be a cheap case mod if you have a scanner laying around. I'd like to hear your thoughts.😎

 

[sygyzy]

Yes it works. The problem is it gives off a white light (don't you want color) and they create more heat than regular cathodes.

 

[WA261]

<< (with some colored glass or plastic laid over it) >>




he would have color...how would you power it?

 

[2canSAM]

Great Idea. I was get ready to toss a scanner in the trash when I saw this. Glad your mind works better than mine today😉

I don't see any problem using the glass, I too wonder how to power it?

 

[454Casull]

Does the power inverter (the brick) supply a 12V current? If it does, it's probably only a matter of finding the pos/neg leads.

 

[poohhairt]

The scanner is powered by 12V, so it shouldn't be too difficult to hook everything up. I would imagine that everything you need will be in the scanner, it's just a matter of finding it. If anyone has advice about doing this, I'd be glad to hear it. I'm really not much of an electronics person. How does one normally connect a case light?

-Aaron

 

[poohhairt]

It doesn't look too easy to get a power source out of the scanner. I think it might be best to buy a 12V inverter, or make one. Does anyone know if this is what we need?: http://www.aaroncake.net/circuits/flampdrv.htm It is a schematic for a 12VDC Fluorescent Lamp Driver.

-Aaron

 

[aphex]

My scanner flashes red/blue/green in extremely fast succession.. Wonder how that would look 🙂

 

[MaximusH825]

<< My scanner flashes red/blue/green in extremely fast succession.. Wonder how that would look 🙂 >>



Heh, those Japanese seizure cartoons come to mind... 🙂 I really like this idea, I do think that it would be pretty easy to use the scanner's inverter to power it though. Look a bit closer and see if you can do it. I think that I might have to try this out with an old scanner.

 

[TheOverlord]

i'm interested in this becuase i have 4 scanners that were beign throw out at a local shop that i swiped from the trash pile...i know for sure that 2 of them still have functional lights in them, but havent foudna use for them yet.