cold cathrod not working

[jakes_fish_tank]

so im trying to make moon lights for my fish tank, and i need a simply fix

i have 5 cold cathodes, and a 5v cell phone charger as my power supply

what esle do i need to make them light up, and could you show me a cheap way to make them work?

i think i need a inverter?....

 

[jakes_fish_tank]

i thought this forum would be usefull,
but no help....

24 views....no help

 

[kobaj]

Wow, yeah, your gunna need some sort of inverter. Cold cathodes work at roughly 400volts. Its kinda tricky to find the right inverter for ccfls, it might just be easier to buy new ones. Only a couple bucks on newegg. Find an old computer powersupply to run them off of, that 5volt phone charger isnt enough, youll need at least 12 volt. But then you should be set .

 

[jakes_fish_tank]

5 v is gonna give me the pefect light, i dont want them that bright

 

[jgotfire]

Well jake it sounds like you think you know what your doing. If you think that a 5 volt (I think about 10 watt) power supply will power 5 cold cathodes then I think you need to do some more looking.