Cold Cathode - CCFL

[Opie Yutts]

Why is nobody using cold cathode fluorescent light? Is it not efficient or something? You know, companies will make any wavelength or spectrum you so desire. I desire the good ones that aren't available in other kinds of lighting.

[BobBong]

I just don't see the application.. The intensity isn't there.

[Opie Yutts]

More intensity than LEDs by far, yet we've run off and gotten all happy about them. I really like the idea of picking your spectrum or wavelength. Hitting it right on the spike would be a huge advantage. Big increase in efficiency I think.

[Opie Yutts]

LED...

as in .. light emitting diodes?

That would make no sense...

Looking into it Turtle..

Remember the good ol' days?


I've been following this thread alot and i've gotta say that i'm starting to believe!

Even with the LED UFO i have here in our store the plant that is under it (Burgmansia in coco) is continuing to flower...

We'll see in the months to come i guess.. :thumbsup:

[BobBong]

heh touche.. I've gotten wind of 2 inch diameter LED's that are supposed to be the new wave of LED lighting, so the next few years will be interesting to say the least...

Suppose there's always a turning point for everyone...Just have to see it applied before I can really take a side.

... Like LED's.


Stay Stoned,
Bob.:stoned:

[physicsnole]

More intensity than LEDs by far, yet we've run off and gotten all happy about them. I really like the idea of picking your spectrum or wavelength. Hitting it right on the spike would be a huge advantage. Big increase in efficiency I think.

ya i definitely agree. they would be more widespread though if they could

[BobBong]

"Cold cathode devices typically use a complex high-voltage power supply with some mechanism for limiting current flow. Although creating the initial space charge and the first arc of current through the tube may require a very high voltage, once the tube begins to heat up, the resistance to current flow begins to drop, requiring a gradually lower voltage to maintain operation. In the case of tubes with an ionizing gas, the gas can become a very hot plasma where electical resistance greatly reduced. If operated from a simple power supply without current limiting, this reduction in operational resistance would lead to damage to the power supply or the tube electrodes from overheating."

So it'd require a specific power supply from what i understand otherwise the life of the light would be greatly reduced. The question is, how do plants react to it? How many will you need? Would it be a combination of specific spectrum's, like LED's ?

I've never seen CCFL applied to plants.. anyone?

:thumbsup:

[Opie Yutts]

Thanks for the additional info. I've not seen any grow info about CCFL growing plants, and I have looked a little. I'll bet there's some out there some where.

[BobBong]

Thanks for the additional info. I've not seen any grow info about CCFL growing plants, and I have looked a little. I'll bet there's some out there some where.

Either there are.. or there will be ... wink wink , nudge nudge.;)

[physicsnole]

Ive been surfin the web and i havent found anything about growing with ccfl's.

But I think it could be possible

[Opie Yutts]

I believe the biggest obstacle right now is the inverter, or ballast, which is damn expensive because CCFL starts up at some ridiculous voltage like 3000 volts or something, then goes down to maybe 300 or so while on.

I'm pretty sure you can grow plants with them, I just don't know how cost effective it would be. Maybe like LEDs, the initial expense is made up by the other savings in the long run. You just need the proper red and blue wavelengths or spectrums, and enough lumens. Like I said before, there are companies that will make whatever wavelength you want. I imagine this aint cheap.

[Opie Yutts]

Another cool thing is the lamps can be made into any shape you want. Wrap em around a plant?

[physicsnole]

Sounds real good Opie...I say do it :rastasmoke:

whats the most it could cost? $1,000? even then you could get a bulb that warps around a plant like you said Opie. And on the side of the bulb the faces away from the plant you could have blocked off. Have perfect ratios of wavelengths..sounds like tis has a lot of potential.

[Opie Yutts]

Thanks for believing. Keep the dream alive and stuff.

[melodious fellow]

I am very interested in this... will do some research.

gratzi for this thread

peace

[GaGrown]

Thanks for believing. Keep the dream alive and stuff. Opie,Here is a link about cathode lighting.. Might be the future,huh?

Introduction to Cold Cathode LightingFeatures and Benefits of Cold Cathode Lighting
Cold cathode from Cathode Lighting Systems offers a multitude of advantages over all other types of lighting. The long-term reliability, beauty, and simplicity of this product has been proven time and again over the last 60 years. Among our custom cold cathode's many unique features:

FLEXIBILITY
Lamps can be bent and shaped to almost any configuration.
CONTINUITY
With minimal space between lamps, shadowless illumination is achieved.
HIGH LIGHT OUTPUT
Cathode Lighting Systems offers several different systems for varying applications, with light outputs up to 709 lumens per linear foot (2340 lumens per meter).
COLOR
Dozens of pastel and neon colors are available, as well as a wide array of high-color-rendering white hues.
LONG LIFE
Lamp life is extremely long, typically 50,000 hours or more. There is no loss of lamp life each time the lamp is turned on (unlike fluorescent lighting), allowing for a lamp life almost five times that of most fluorescents.
DIMMABILITY
Easily dimmed with architectural grade dimmers without resorting to special transformers and ballasts.
CREATIVITY
A wide expressive range, with an infinite variety of shapes and colors.
UL LISTED
A cold cathode system from Cathode Lighting Systems carries multiple UL (Underwriters Laboratories) and C-UL (UL for Canada) listings that cover each individual component as well as the completely installed lighting system. This ensures that our products, whether used commercially or residentially, have been engineered and manufactured to the highest levels of safety and reliability.

Download Introduction to Cold Cathode Lighting Catalog Pages

Features and Benefits of Cold Cathode Lighting (PDF)
What is Cold Cathode Lighting? (PDF)
How to Use Cold Cathode Lighting (PDF)
What is the Difference Between Cold Cathode and Neon? (PDF)
How Does Fiber Optic Lighting Compare with Cold Cathode (PDF)
Dimming and Special Effects (PDF) Modular Cold Cathode Lighting
Flexible Cathode Light Strip (FCLS)

Cathode Light Strip

Cathode Light Strip
Single Lamp Modular Cold Cathode Fluorescent Fixture

Cathode Light Strip
Double Lamp Modular Cold Cathode Fluorescent Fixture

Cathode Light Strip â?? Wet Location


Custom Cold Cathode Lighting
Introduction to Cold Cathode Lighting

Design Recommendations

Lamp Colors

Lumen Output

Systems Comparison

Custom Cold Cathode Products

System TNP
Standard-Output Transformer-Operated Cold Cathode

System BNP-HO
High-Output Ballast-Operated Cold Cathode

System BNP
Standard-Output Ballast-Operated Cold Cathode

System BNP-HO-EX
High-Output Ballast-Operated Cold Cathode for Export

System BNP-EX
Standard-Output Ballast-Operated Cold Cathode for Export

Photometry


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Here's another link.......Cold Cathode Lighting (http://www.neon-lighting.com/cold-cathode.htm)

[veggii]

so any progress here? or gave up and went full-out LEDs??

[Opie Yutts]

Neither yet. Other projects. I still believe though.