Backlighting and 12V Power Supplies.

[Holclo]

Thanks Ian.
Mike - how have you progressed? Will be ordering tomorrow hopefully but would like to hear your latest impressions before I do.
Bill

[mpl330]

Hi Bill,

Not had chance to test them properly but:
1 -They are easy to split - hammer and screwdriver did the trick!
2 - I think I need 3 (individuals not sets) to light my pedestal as 2 don't distribute the light enough)
3 - don't seem bad for lighting the under side of the glare

Overall for the price they are good but not amazing - I think I can make them work for me but if I were you I would probably try a set if you are ordering something else anyway before committing to using only these...

Not sure if that helps
Cheers
Mike

[Holclo]

Thanks Mike. I'll order and have a go.
Bill

[Holclo]

OK my cold cathobe tubes and power supply have arrived. I just want to check "shorting the wires" before I make a mistake. On opening the PSU I find the "power connector/switch connector" - wired to that are black(neutral I assume), brown(live I assume) and green/yellow (earth as it is also connected to the PSU metal casing). Am I right in connecting the green/yellow to the black.? Then it should power up. The cathodes have molex connectors so I will use them in the meantime.

Going from the molex connectors to the cathodes are a red and black wire. If I am going to insert a (panel) switch, is it inserted on the red wire?
Thank you for your help
Bill

[Trevor Hale]

Ack! Please Close it up quick before you hurt yourself.

You actually shouldn't open anything up.


Close it all back up and don't open it up again LOL


Out of the power supply there are several molex connectors with Yellow, red and black, black on them...

These are where you attach your devices.

Red/Black for +5v
Yellow/Black for +12V

Now one of the connectors (the largest one) that has tones of wires going into it has a green wire on it Cut this wire off, and attach it to any black wire.

Then plug it in and the power supply will then start.

Trev

[Holclo]

Thank goodness I was flying whilst waiting for a reply!!! OK I will quickly close up the PSU. I see the connector with loads of wires attached - it has amongst others one green and 8 blacks. So I am going to cut the green and one of the blacks and attach them to each other -...OK?
Bill
Feel like Sean Connery in one of the Bond Movies!!

[Trevor Hale]

Yup. thats works perfect. Make sure that you have it unplugged before you cut or attach the wires together.

Then once your done and it is all safe, plug it in and you will hear the fan on the PS start. this means your getting the power everywhere.

You will not use the big connector block for anything else.

Trev

[Trevor Hale]

Feel like Sean Connery in one of the Bond Movies!!

ROFL... I bet, well if you had done it the way you wanted you would have been like Jeff bridges in BLOWN AWAY!

[Trevor Hale]

Going from the molex connectors to the cathodes are a red and black wire. If I am going to insert a (panel) switch, is it inserted on the red wire?
Thank you for your help
Bill

If you want, it is always best to switch the positive side yes. so you would cut the red wire in half, and put each end of the red wire to each post on your switch.

Trev

[Holclo]

Thank you Trevor. Now we are all lit up - the cathodes that is -not me!! These appear to be very useful and dare I say it a simple solution to some backlighting problems. They are 12 inches long (I believe they can be got in 4 inch lengths - much better) and come with stickers attached for mounting plus an extension connection to attach the next one which avoids using up more molex connectors.They come in a variety of colours. I have red and white. The red looks a bit pinky though.Only £2 each. It will be tomorrow before I get them fitted to the MIP. Going to have a few beer after that feat of electrical genius!!!
Bill