Urgent - CCFL Issue

[cwb27]

Recently purchased a 12" Blue CCFL tube from SVC for my dual inverter.

Received the tube today, plugged it in and alas. Only half of it seems to work.... The end where both wires enter the acrylic tube is almost perfectly lit. But as you continue down the tube, there's an area that's almost completely dark, then the end is sort of dim... When I flick the tube it lights up more, but still is not completely bright, if I bend the tube slightly it does the same thing.

Is this a problem with the tube itself??

Thanks!!

[pummer]

do you have a 6" inverter?

[cwb27]

Nope, it's a 12" inverter. My other 12" blue CCFL lights up just fine. I thought it may have been a voltage issue, but when I flick the tube and it lights up more is kind of making me think that it's not. However... it still could be... I just don't know.

[BlueWraith]

You might have a short in the tube wireing. Contact SVC and see if they will give you an RMA. I had a little trouble with them, but that is *not* a complaint. I received the wrong type of screws and the CCFL had a short in it. They told me to keep everything and then sent a new tube and the original order of screws to me no questions asked. While I was waiting, I fixed the tube and now I have a backup. :)

Under the white heatshrink, the wire was broken. A lil twisting and some more heatshrink later, i have a working tube. Just takes a lil while to get to full brightness after its been off for awhile.

[cwb27]

You're my boy, blue! (sorry, been watching Old School...)

I'll drop them an email. Only problem is that I live in Canada, I purchased this tube through a friend in the US. Ether way, I'll be contacting them.