Neon tube power supply

[Brett Cummins]

Hey!

I'm a teenager with a goped (moterized scooter)and am trying to design
a power supply using batteries to power a 12 volt neon tube (so I can
have an underglow). I can get it at Bestbuy and the guy there said
that if I found a way to power it, it would work. Now because it is 12
volts, I could use a multiple variety of batteries. I could use two 6
volt batteries, but they're too bulky to haul around. I was thinking
of using a 9 volt battery, then buying a battery case at RadioShack
for two AA (or 1.5 volt) batteries, thus giving me the desired 3 extra
volts. If I connected this all together, would it light the tube?
Please reply and tell me if this would work. If not, then other ideas
would be appreciated!

-Thanks

 

[Nick]

Check out any CompUSA or any computer store.
They have an assortment cold cathode neon tubes powered by 12
volts(computer case power supplies) from $15 to $25

Brett Cummins wrote:

Hey!

I'm a teenager with a goped (moterized scooter)and am trying to design
a power supply using batteries to power a 12 volt neon tube (so I can
have an underglow). I can get it at Bestbuy and the guy there said
that if I found a way to power it, it would work. Now because it is 12
volts, I could use a multiple variety of batteries. I could use two 6
volt batteries, but they're too bulky to haul around. I was thinking
of using a 9 volt battery, then buying a battery case at RadioShack
for two AA (or 1.5 volt) batteries, thus giving me the desired 3 extra
volts. If I connected this all together, would it light the tube?
Please reply and tell me if this would work. If not, then other ideas
would be appreciated!

-Thanks

 

[Rich Grise]

on Sunday 04 July 2004 09:51 am, Brett Cummins wrote:

Hey!

I'm a teenager with a goped (moterized scooter)and am trying to design
a power supply using batteries to power a 12 volt neon tube (so I can
have an underglow). I can get it at Bestbuy and the guy there said
that if I found a way to power it, it would work. Now because it is 12
volts, I could use a multiple variety of batteries. I could use two 6
volt batteries, but they're too bulky to haul around. I was thinking
of using a 9 volt battery, then buying a battery case at RadioShack
for two AA (or 1.5 volt) batteries, thus giving me the desired 3 extra
volts. If I connected this all together, would it light the tube?
Please reply and tell me if this would work. If not, then other ideas
would be appreciated!

-Thanks

What you say will give you 12 volts, yes, (one 9V + 2X 1.5V), but it
will light your neon for about an hour. You really should get a
motorcycle battery or emergency light battery or something like
that. What you have to look at is Amp-Hour capacity. Divide the
battery's amp-hr capacity by the amp draw of the load (i.e. your
neon gewgaw), and it will tell you how long that particular battery
will power your thing before it needs a recharge.

For that heavy of a load, you should look into putting some kind
of generator on your scoot.
--
Cheers!
Rich

 

[Sir Charles W. Shults III]

"Nick" <nfunk@rtconline-SpamNot.com> wrote in message
news:40E892A2.60708@rtconline-SpamNot.com...

Check out any CompUSA or any computer store.
They have an assortment cold cathode neon tubes powered by 12
volts(computer case power supplies) from $15 to $25

Did you actually read this before you posted it? You certainly didn't
read what Brett Cummins wrote. He *already has* a source for the lamp. He
wants a power supply, not another lamp.

Cheers!

Sir Charles W. Shults III, K. B. B.
Xenotech Research
321-206-1840

 

[AC/DCdude17]

X-No-Archive: Yes

Is your Goped electric or gas? Just get the power from the drive motor
battery if it's electric. I'm quite certain it's 12V.

If you have the gas one..

You could just pick a conveniently sized 12V SLA from your local
Batteries Plus or the like. Don't use a motor cycle battery. They
aren't sealed and you don't want battery acid spilling.

Another option is using a 12V battery pack from a cordless drill.


Brett Cummins wrote:

Hey!

I'm a teenager with a goped (moterized scooter)and am trying to design
a power supply using batteries to power a 12 volt neon tube (so I can
have an underglow). I can get it at Bestbuy and the guy there said
that if I found a way to power it, it would work. Now because it is 12
volts, I could use a multiple variety of batteries. I could use two 6
volt batteries, but they're too bulky to haul around. I was thinking
of using a 9 volt battery, then buying a battery case at RadioShack
for two AA (or 1.5 volt) batteries, thus giving me the desired 3 extra
volts. If I connected this all together, would it light the tube?
Please reply and tell me if this would work. If not, then other ideas
would be appreciated!

-Thanks

 

[Rok Sitar]

If U have a scooter then your scooter has a dynamo which can pover your
tube, like it powers your lights. But U have to be careful not to over heat
it, by that I mean that the dynamo doesn't give too much current to tube. If
dynamo is overheatting then next step is alternator, but i think that won't
look nice on scooter.
Better solution is accumulator 12V and dynamo to charge it. I'm certain that
your scooter has the accumulator and if so then it has the dynamo also and
your problem is solved.

Sorry for bad english.

"Brett Cummins" <packerfan6000@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:814a5e5a.0407040851.edbc6c7@posting.google.com...

Hey!

I'm a teenager with a goped (moterized scooter)and am trying to design
a power supply using batteries to power a 12 volt neon tube (so I can
have an underglow). I can get it at Bestbuy and the guy there said
that if I found a way to power it, it would work. Now because it is 12
volts, I could use a multiple variety of batteries. I could use two 6
volt batteries, but they're too bulky to haul around. I was thinking
of using a 9 volt battery, then buying a battery case at RadioShack
for two AA (or 1.5 volt) batteries, thus giving me the desired 3 extra
volts. If I connected this all together, would it light the tube?
Please reply and tell me if this would work. If not, then other ideas
would be appreciated!

-Thanks