Questions about building CCFL Tester

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  • Welchs101
    Badcaps Veteran
    • Sep 2008
    • 979
    • USA

    #1

    Questions about building CCFL Tester

    I saw a thread on this forum

    https://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=7445

    that talked about building something to test CCFL bulbs in LCD computer monitors. Go about midway down in the thread and you will see very nice pics from someone named eguevarae.

    I am trying to build the same kind of thing and i had a few questions.

    First i bought an inverter board from Mouser

    http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/...LvyuyTMA%3d%3d

    The data sheet is on the website. I am also enclosing a picture of the actual board that i received.

    Questions:
    1) Is the inverter i bought going to be able to turn on a single CCFL bulb? If so is there a min/max size bulb it will turn on?

    2) I reviewed the board and compared it to the connection diagrams and i wanted to verify that the way i planned to connect the bulb is ok. I provided a connection diagram pic (from the inverter data sheet) and a pic of my board and how i plan to wire the ccfl bulb. My question is .......... am i doing it right?

    3) For the bulb.........does it matter which lead goes to which wire of the bulb? I am enclosing a pic of 3 connectors and i assume that there is a bulb for EACH connector. I am showing only the 3 connectors going to the "top" bulbs. There are 3 additional such connectors for the "bottom" set of bulbs. So lets look at the connector that has the black and pink wires. I assume this goes to a bulb.........does it matter if the black wire is connected to say "out1" from inverter and the pink is connected to the "gnd" from inverter?


    I hope someone has the answers. Thanks again.

    If you have questions , concerns, comments, answers, or critical comments........please let me know.
    Attached Files
  • Krankshaft
    Badcaps Legend
    • Jan 2007
    • 2328
    • USA

    #2
    Re: Questions about building CCFL Tester

    It doesn't look like it has any type of protection.

    You need an inverter with protection to test CCFLs. Without protection this test rig will no nothing more than inform you of completely shot CCFLs.

    If the original inverter is shutting down the CCFL because it's marginal and drawing too much current this inverter may just supply it and let it run. This inverter looks just like the Logisys ones that were flaring up in computer cases. A simple LC circuit driving the driver transistor driving the primary of the transformer.

    These are the ones I got when I built mine. They are specifically designed for laptop LCDs and have over temperature and overload protection.

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWNX:IT

    You supply 5 volts to one trace and ground to the other. To power the inverter up supply 5 volts to the on trace. To make it run constantly just bridge the 5V and on traces.

    On my rig I rigged the On pin to a pushbutton switch. So when I plug in the 5V wall wart it doesn't try firing up.

    I put two of these inverters in one case with separate on buttons so I could test 2 CCFLs one after the other.

    Whenever something is directly connected to the output of a transformer you're dealing with AC transformers can't use DC.

    You won't want to be using 2 CCFLs on one inverter anyways during testing. The connection scheme in your pic with the inverter for one bulb is fine.
    Last edited by Krankshaft; 01-17-2010, 09:57 PM.
    Elements of the past and the future combining to make something not quite as good as either.

    Comment

    • PlainBill
      Badcaps Legend
      • Feb 2009
      • 7034
      • USA

      #3
      Re: Questions about building CCFL Tester

      Originally posted by Welchs101
      I saw a thread on this forum

      https://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=7445

      that talked about building something to test CCFL bulbs in LCD computer monitors. Go about midway down in the thread and you will see very nice pics from someone named eguevarae.

      I am trying to build the same kind of thing and i had a few questions.

      First i bought an inverter board from Mouser

      http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/...LvyuyTMA%3d%3d

      The data sheet is on the website. I am also enclosing a picture of the actual board that i received.

      Questions:
      1) Is the inverter i bought going to be able to turn on a single CCFL bulb? If so is there a min/max size bulb it will turn on?
      I would say this can drive the CCFLs in any size monitor you are likely to encounter. I'm not sure about the CCFLs in a 50" LCD TV. I wouldn't leave it on too long if you were driving the CCFL for a 12" laptop.


      Originally posted by Welchs101
      2) I reviewed the board and compared it to the connection diagrams and i wanted to verify that the way i planned to connect the bulb is ok. I provided a connection diagram pic (from the inverter data sheet) and a pic of my board and how i plan to wire the ccfl bulb. My question is .......... am i doing it right?
      Yes, but a few pieces of advice. First, you definitely want a switch to turn the power on / off. I would go one step further and suggest an AC power supply. This inverter can draw up to 1.5A at 12 Volts. I believe that's pushing AA batteries pretty hard.
      Originally posted by Welchs101
      3) For the bulb.........does it matter which lead goes to which wire of the bulb? I am enclosing a pic of 3 connectors and i assume that there is a bulb for EACH connector. I am showing only the 3 connectors going to the "top" bulbs. There are 3 additional such connectors for the "bottom" set of bulbs. So lets look at the connector that has the black and pink wires. I assume this goes to a bulb.........does it matter if the black wire is connected to say "out1" from inverter and the pink is connected to the "gnd" from inverter?
      Usually the wires to a CCFL are of two different sizes. The larger one is the drive line, the smaller one is the return line. I would try to observe this carefully.

      Originally posted by Welchs101
      I hope someone has the answers. Thanks again.

      If you have questions , concerns, comments, answers, or critical comments........please let me know.
      PlainBill
      For a number of reasons, both health and personal, I will no longer be active on this board. Any PMs asking for assistance will be ignored.

      Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic.

      Comment

      • Krankshaft
        Badcaps Legend
        • Jan 2007
        • 2328
        • USA

        #4
        Re: Questions about building CCFL Tester

        I've read the only reason for that thinner return line is insulation.

        Thought they were both the same wire gauge?

        That and they like to run this line in a recess at the outside of CCFL holder since space is at such a premium in these panels.
        Last edited by Krankshaft; 01-17-2010, 10:04 PM.
        Elements of the past and the future combining to make something not quite as good as either.

        Comment

        • PlainBill
          Badcaps Legend
          • Feb 2009
          • 7034
          • USA

          #5
          Re: Questions about building CCFL Tester

          Originally posted by Krankshaft
          I've read the only reason for that thinner return line is insulation.

          Thought they were both the same wire gauge?
          The wire guage is the same, but saying 'larger diameter wire' should be clear to most people. 'More heavily insulated' may be more accurate, but would it be less confusing?

          PlainBill
          For a number of reasons, both health and personal, I will no longer be active on this board. Any PMs asking for assistance will be ignored.

          Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic.

          Comment

          • Welchs101
            Badcaps Veteran
            • Sep 2008
            • 979
            • USA

            #6
            Re: Questions about building CCFL Tester

            Thanks all:

            Few comments. Right now i dont have an AC power supply so this is all i have. I was hoping to build some sort of DC power supply from an old computer PSU but I just have not done it.

            I found a switch but i kinda "destroyed" one of the terminals when trying to de-solder the old wire. So instead of having two wires coming into the switch i was thinking of just having the +12V switched and running the ground straight to the board (see pic). Do you think this is ok? I just dont want to have to go out and buy a switch if i dont have to.

            Comment

            • Welchs101
              Badcaps Veteran
              • Sep 2008
              • 979
              • USA

              #7
              Re: Questions about building CCFL Tester

              forgot to attach pic of switch
              Attached Files

              Comment

              • Welchs101
                Badcaps Veteran
                • Sep 2008
                • 979
                • USA

                #8
                Re: Questions about building CCFL Tester

                Bill,

                You mentioned that the 1.5A may be pushing the AA batteries ....... do you think it will work for short durations? The only concern is it may not be able to supply the recommended current ......right? Its not going to explode the batteries or anything crazy is it?

                Comment

                • Welchs101
                  Badcaps Veteran
                  • Sep 2008
                  • 979
                  • USA

                  #9
                  Re: Questions about building CCFL Tester

                  Thought i would try and explain the switch a little better (see pic).

                  Originally i was going to switch both 12V and Gnd but one of the terminals got messed up when i was desoldering the old wire off.

                  Rather than throw away switch and have to buy a new one i was thinking of just using it to switch the 12V only and running the gnd right to the inverter board..............this should work fine ............right?
                  Attached Files

                  Comment

                  • PlainBill
                    Badcaps Legend
                    • Feb 2009
                    • 7034
                    • USA

                    #10
                    Re: Questions about building CCFL Tester

                    With AA batteries I would be concerned about their ability to provide the current, and their life. No, I wouldn't expect them to explode or anything like that.

                    Just switch the live (+12V) side of the supply. 99.99% of everything is done that way.

                    PlainBill
                    For a number of reasons, both health and personal, I will no longer be active on this board. Any PMs asking for assistance will be ignored.

                    Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic.

                    Comment

                    • Welchs101
                      Badcaps Veteran
                      • Sep 2008
                      • 979
                      • USA

                      #11
                      Re: Questions about building CCFL Tester

                      Well, i hooked everything up and i measure 125V AC on the output of the inverter............does this sound right?

                      Comment

                      • PlainBill
                        Badcaps Legend
                        • Feb 2009
                        • 7034
                        • USA

                        #12
                        Re: Questions about building CCFL Tester

                        Originally posted by Welchs101
                        Well, i hooked everything up and i measure 125V AC on the output of the inverter............does this sound right?
                        Not even close. It's rated at 1000 - 1250 volts IIRC. What are you using to measure it?

                        PlainBill
                        For a number of reasons, both health and personal, I will no longer be active on this board. Any PMs asking for assistance will be ignored.

                        Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic.

                        Comment

                        • Welchs101
                          Badcaps Veteran
                          • Sep 2008
                          • 979
                          • USA

                          #13
                          Re: Questions about building CCFL Tester

                          a multimeter. I must admit i did something stupid initially.

                          When i was wiring the batter harness i accidentally shorted the leads without knowing it and smoke started coming out of the battery harness........i was not connected to the inverter yet.

                          But ALL the batteries got really HOT. Even melted some of the plastic. BUt i put them all back in (after they cooled down) and measured 11.84 volts DC so i hooked everything up and tried it............no lights came on. SO i measured the output of the inverter.........only 125VAC

                          Comment

                          • Welchs101
                            Badcaps Veteran
                            • Sep 2008
                            • 979
                            • USA

                            #14
                            Re: Questions about building CCFL Tester

                            Do you think the batteries need to be replaced with new ones............but this would not explain why my output of the inverters is only 125V AC.

                            Comment

                            • Welchs101
                              Badcaps Veteran
                              • Sep 2008
                              • 979
                              • USA

                              #15
                              Re: Questions about building CCFL Tester

                              Put new batteries in ............. same result. Only 125V AC on output and no lamp coming on. Oh well, i think the inverter is fried or something.

                              Comment

                              • Welchs101
                                Badcaps Veteran
                                • Sep 2008
                                • 979
                                • USA

                                #16
                                Re: Questions about building CCFL Tester

                                Only other thing i can think of is this.

                                I did connect the inverter to two of the lamps prior to measuring the 125V AC. what if one of the lamps was bad and this drew to much current......would this cause the inverter to now onlly output 125V AC?

                                At a loss. Really need a way to test bulbs.

                                Comment

                                • PlainBill
                                  Badcaps Legend
                                  • Feb 2009
                                  • 7034
                                  • USA

                                  #17
                                  Re: Questions about building CCFL Tester

                                  Originally posted by Welchs101
                                  Put new batteries in ............. same result. Only 125V AC on output and no lamp coming on. Oh well, i think the inverter is fried or something.
                                  Did you measure the voltage across the batteries when the inverter was operating?

                                  PlainBill
                                  For a number of reasons, both health and personal, I will no longer be active on this board. Any PMs asking for assistance will be ignored.

                                  Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic.

                                  Comment

                                  • Welchs101
                                    Badcaps Veteran
                                    • Sep 2008
                                    • 979
                                    • USA

                                    #18
                                    Re: Questions about building CCFL Tester

                                    no i did not. I can do that.

                                    Comment

                                    • Welchs101
                                      Badcaps Veteran
                                      • Sep 2008
                                      • 979
                                      • USA

                                      #19
                                      Re: Questions about building CCFL Tester

                                      Voltage is 12.61V DC with switch open (ie....no power to inverter).

                                      Voltage is 12.18V DC with switch closed (ie....power to inverter).

                                      Comment

                                      • Radio Fox
                                        Badcaps Veteran
                                        • Jan 2010
                                        • 281
                                        • UK

                                        #20
                                        Re: Questions about building CCFL Tester

                                        Originally posted by PlainBill
                                        ...This inverter can draw up to 1.5A at 12 Volts. I believe that's pushing AA batteries pretty hard...
                                        According to the data sheet, it's the 5V version that draws a maximum of 1.5A. The 12V version draws a maximum of 0.63A in the A or D configuration, & 0.41A in the B configuration.
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