Bunches of cold cathodes

[Z-R0E]

Put aside the "why" factor with this, but I have two 12" cathodes, two 4", and six fans with round cathode fangrills on them (yes, I like UV light o_o). Ten cathodes total, which comes down to five inverters and, even worse, five damned switches.

I have very rudementary knowledge of electronics when it comes to wiring. I understand "why" things like are inverters are needed and the like, but I've never bothered (needed to) worry about voltage in things, or been in a situation where I've needed to cut wires or what not. That said, I'd like to limit the ammount of inverters as much as possible (if at all possible), but even more-so, one blasted toggle switch.

My first theory was, assuming each length of cathode needs it's own inverter, I could make some 2-pin Y-cables, then branch it out from the 4-pin into the three inverters (again, one for each length). The 4-pin would then be split out to the toggle switch.

If that wouldn't work, could I daisy chain all five inverters from on another? From the 4-pin into the first inverter, Y-cable to the second inverter, Y-cable to the third, etc?

OR, was my original assumption that each length needs it's own inverter wrong, and I could just branch out to all ten from one?

Thanks in advance for any tips =]

[TKP]

jesus.

[BeatYouWithShoe]

Do NOT post unrelated materials to the thread!!
KK/Moderator

[Z-R0E]

Yes yes yes, I know very well that it's "too much", but I have my reasons =p
So aside from it being way-more-than-needed, is it possible?

[BeatYouWithShoe]

I have no exp. with wiring. Sorry dude :[ Good luck though would be cool. By the way how much power do all those things take up? And how powerful is your PSU.

[Z-R0E]

I have a 500w PSU. I don't know how much of that they're using, but I've added them in pairs over the past year or so (first the 12"s, then the 2", then I've replaced the six fans on my case) and haven't had problems. I only run them at night to save electricity (most my whole room is UV reactive, with a blacklight on each side, can't really make it out durring the day, and I'm usually asleep any way), and just flicking 5 different switches in the morning is annoying.

[BeatYouWithShoe]

Yea i can definatly see why just one switch would be alot easier :/

[The_Shooter]

As far as I know, you have to use those inverters. What you could do (I did something very similar) is to take the wire that goes from the switch to the inverter and splice it with the other ones using only one switch. Basically splice all the power wires to one switch and that should be just fine.

As far as power consumption on the lights, I thought they took very little power. I have read that they take less that 3 watts. Thats the reason they call then 'cold cathode' lights.

[Idigguns]

First of all, a 12" cold cathode light draws about 350 milli-amps. That's about 4 watts. I doubt you would even see a difference on your electric bill by running the lights 24/7. As for the inverters, most of the inverters sold today will support two 12" cc lights. That's most, not all. But chances are you would be OK. Try it and see. I don't know about the smaller lights and the fans. And yes, you can wire all of them to one switch if you like. I really need to work on my site, but you may find some usefull tips on it... www.brianscasemods.com

[Z-R0E]

Thanks for the link to your site, Idi. It gave me a lot of ideas and tips, deffinately feel in a lot better direction now.