CCFL Lamp Testing

[SgtRock]

Greetings BadCappers:

In this forum I have see frequent mention of the need for ways to test CCFL Lamps, so I thought I would mention this item;
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1pc-12V-CCFL...item2c6de2cbcd
I just won an eBay auction for one of these at a price of $7.61 with free shipping. This tester uses a 12 Voltios (I hope that is Spanish for Volts) input and, claims to be able to test Lamps up to 700mm in length. I will report further when I receive mine and have tried it .

--Previously I have been using one of these;
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1pc-12V-LCD-...item3381293568
Which is rated to test CCFL Lamps of length 300mm or less, and uses a 12 Volt input. However by using my old Heathkit Linear Power Supply, and cranking her up to 30 Volts or more I have been able to get Lamps of any length to fire. Now, while this is able to show me that the Lamp will fire and whether or not it is beginning to show red from mercury migration, it less than satisfactory because I am not really sure whether I am over volting the lamp or not. Needless to say, I do not leave this cobble rig on for long, as I was pretty sure it could blow at any time. But so far it has served.

--I do most of my Voltage measurements with a Fluke 87V DMM, which is only rated to 1000 Volts, so I am unsure as to what is the best way to measure the Voltage and Current output going from the inverter circuit to a Lamp. If anyone would care to provide advice on this or point to a good posting, I would appreciate it.

“A Marine Recruit, left naked in a rubber room with two ball bearings, will lose one and break the other”
Ronald Lee Ermey, Gunnery Sergeant USMC Ret. 1944 -

Best Regards
Clear Ether

[y_not]

Re: CCFL Lamp Testing

You might find this very interesting and worth considering.
They're very, very high quality and sold here in the USA, CA.

I have purchased from these guys before, the owner is super awesome and they're fair, knowing how to run a business and treat their customers well.
It makes their slightly higher prices worth it.

No, I'm not affiliated with them in any way, shape, or form. Just a computer tech/IT guy that needs parts.

Here are their CCFL & LED backlight testers.
http://www.lcdparts.net/IT.aspx

Here's their laptop CCFL + inverter tester.
Along with their LCD TV tester, complete with test patterns, custom display drivers, etc...
http://www.lcdparts.net/LST.aspx

They're not cheap, but they aren't insanely expensive like you might find from a test tool company. Those are INSANE!! These are far, far from it.
Who knows, maybe if you ask reaaalllll nice, they'll sell it to you in kit form.
They offer upgrades too. So if you get, say the laptop unit and you later want the more expensive TV+Laptop unit, they have an upgrade path for your old unit, working or not.

Tell him Tony @ Ynot Computing in Redmond, OR sent you.

[Wyld_Goose]

Re: CCFL Lamp Testing

SgtRock, that tester you posted doesn't come with a power cable. What amp rating is required with the 12v power cable?

[switcher]

Re: CCFL Lamp Testing

The late, great, Jim Williams of Linear Tech did some quite considerable work in this field, it's well worth searching the Linear tech website for his app notes.

Typing jim williams ccfl into the search box produces 8 must read app notes.

[1supertech]

Re: CCFL Lamp Testing

I just bought this ccfl tester $13.00 works great It doesen't come with power supply
You would need a 12v 4A power supply
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CCFL-Tester-...item2325414cb2

[budm]

Re: CCFL Lamp Testing

The spec indicated that you will need 12V 2A. Dose it use 4A in real test?

[1supertech]

Re: CCFL Lamp Testing

The spec indicated that you will need 12V 2A. Dose it use 4A in real test?

I have noticed some sellers on EBAY recommend 12v 2amp or 4amp I am using a 12v 2amp because I don't have a 4amp

[Ashroyer05]

Re: CCFL Lamp Testing

I bought the same unit off ebay. I hooked it up to a tv this morning. I had to use the biggest adapter with the 4 pins. There are 2 smaller (2 pin) adapters on the other end of the 4 pin adapter. Do you test each one individually as if it were only a 2 pin on both ends?

[1supertech]

Re: CCFL Lamp Testing

I assume so never used the 4 pin adapter

[Ashroyer05]

Re: CCFL Lamp Testing

ok. guess I'll find out soon.