running 8 lamps on one interverter?

[Surreal]

I am under the impression that CCFLs take about 80VAC to run. 100VAC to start.

With a large enough inverter suppling said voltages can i run 8 ccfls? Can I turn on each CCFL indepently w/out harming the inverter? All i need is an inverter with capibity to deliver enough current.

I know on the duel CCFL inverters the makers state that powering the inverter w/out lamps my destroy the inverter.

[Veland]

Well, as far as I know, the CC's run at quite some voltage, at least 400V. The problem with this, is finding some way to switch it. I know, the Amps isn't much, but with high voltages, sparks are a problem. So you'd need special high voltage switches, costing quite a bit.

As for the inverter, it would have to be a type designed for running with varying load. Many types are very poorly regulated and could not cope with suach big load variation. But by all means, do look around, it is totaly possibel to build.

But the cheapest solution will still be separate inverters, turning them off at the 12V side.. But it's big and messy, but safe and easy.

[Surreal]

yeah your right about the sparking issue. i have not thought of that. It won't be wise for me to run long lengths of AC wiring in a case w/PC parts.

good insight thanks

[Fushyuguru]

Ive tried more than two, wont work. At least with the sunbeam inverters that I used from SVC.

They seem to have a fixed current, add more lights, they dimm quite a large amount. The 4" lights I could add more and they were tolerable, the 12" ones would only light up about 1/3 of the length of the tube.

When measured with a voltmeter the voltage was fine, I didnt take the time to setup to measure amperage because it didnt work either way.

[Smirabi]

Originally posted by Surreal
I know on the duel CCFL inverters the makers state that powering the inverter w/out lamps my destroy the inverter.

could that explain this => http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=249678

i'm not trying to threadjack or anything, but perhaps you just answered my question of why my inverter exploded, maybe.

anyway, good luck and mod on

[Surreal]

nice link. I acually had an inverter cap explode while i was holding it. It hit my chest. Little pain, loud BANG! I reversed the negitive and the positive. dope.