Cold Cathode in Printer

BhladeOGhrass · 08-November-04, 10:41 AM

Hey I'm working on a printer mod right now (http://forums.pcapex.com/showthread.php?t=27461) and I was wondering how I can connect a cold cathode to the 30V power supply? My main concern is making sure the printer still gets all of the power it requires, so I want to hook it up without interfering with that. Not really sure exactly what to do. Suggestions?

stereomod · 08-November-04, 10:53 AM

dood yah should have posted this in the SAME THREAD! its easier to ammend a thread then to start a new one, for the cathode, use a multimeter and find a 12v point and solder it on that way but DO NOT open the little blue box! just snip the black and yellow wires off the molex and solder it onto the PCB that way!

BhladeOGhrass · 08-November-04, 12:45 PM

Well nobody was replying to the same question over there.. but anyway, do you mean search the circuit board for a 12V point or something, because its 30V DC in, not 12.

Enko · 08-November-04, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BhladeOGhrass


	Well nobody was replying to the same question over there.. but anyway, do you mean search the circuit board for a 12V point or something, because its 30V DC in, not 12.

then bump that thread instead of making a new one.

i don't know enough about electronics to help you out. sorry. i'm pretty sure stereomod is just telling you to go hunting for 12v source on the board though.

stereomod · 08-November-04, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enko


	then bump that thread instead of making a new one. i don't know enough about electronics to help you out. sorry. i'm pretty sure stereomod is just telling you to go hunting for 12v source on the board though.

yes enko you would be correct i spend many hours looking at PCB's and mapping th voltages with my multimeter!

and yes the PCB is a great place to get the proper voltages , and just think about this for a sec there, 12v for the inverter now if you force 30 through that you are gonna end up frying the cathode and inverter, and actually it might EXPLODE!

BhladeOGhrass · 08-November-04, 01:02 PM

Yeah i know.. was thinking of rerouting it and using dropping it down to 12V so there would be a 30 and a 12V source.. guess that doesnt work?

Enko · 08-November-04, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BhladeOGhrass


	Yeah i know.. was thinking of rerouting it and using dropping it down to 12V so there would be a 30 and a 12V source.. guess that doesnt work?

what do you mean by "using dropping it down"?

BhladeOGhrass · 08-November-04, 02:23 PM

Haha.. I don't know, I think resistors were supposed to be in that sentence somewhere, must of lost my train of thought.

FunkyFresh · 08-November-04, 03:11 PM

Just like with LED's, you can use resistors to drop the voltage if you know the cathode's current draw (which you could also measure with a multimeter). And, just like LED's, you'll have to make sure the resistors have the correct resistance and power ratings. For more info, try googling "Ohm's Law" for resistance, and "Watt's Law" for power.

BhladeOGhrass · 08-November-04, 03:18 PM

Ok, I understand i can take the voltage down, what I've been trying to find out is, will running a cold cathode off of the same power supply that the printer is running off of cause the printer to function improperly or not at all (due to the new power drain)

FunkyFresh · 08-November-04, 03:34 PM

Can't say for sure, but cathodes don't draw a huge amount of power.

Joose · 10-November-04, 12:07 PM

if it's a "laser" printer, then it will likely affect printing performance; if it's an inkjet, you might be able to get away with it...

Just keep in mind...when the manufacturer was making the printer, they did not anticipate ANY accessory draw. The PS is likely *just enough* for what the printer needs...either way it *could* cause a problem, but this is all theory. I've never done it myself...

Why not drop by radio shack and pick up an ac/dc 12v transformer and power your CC off of that? Better safe than sorry...your credit card might thank you too...

08-November-04, 10:41 AM		#1 (permalink)
BhladeOGhrass Apex Techie I	Cold Cathode in Printer Hey I'm working on a printer mod right now (http://forums.pcapex.com/showthread.php?t=27461) and I was wondering how I can connect a cold cathode to the 30V power supply? My main concern is making sure the printer still gets all of the power it requires, so I want to hook it up without interfering with that. Not really sure exactly what to do. Suggestions?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Cold Cathode Problem	Fire Hawk	Other Modding	9	21-February-06 08:32 PM
Cold Cathode for cars.	teh_spazz	Other Modding	6	16-October-04 09:39 AM
Cold Cathode vs. UV	tmpearson	Case Modding	8	11-August-04 11:58 PM
cold cathode for cheap??	WDoG	Other Modding	33	08-March-03 04:57 PM
cold cathode	GoldenMouse	Case Modding	24	29-September-02 01:15 AM

08-November-04, 10:53 AM		#2 (permalink)
stereomod Locked Account	dood yah should have posted this in the SAME THREAD! its easier to ammend a thread then to start a new one, for the cathode, use a multimeter and find a 12v point and solder it on that way but DO NOT open the little blue box! just snip the black and yellow wires off the molex and solder it onto the PCB that way!

08-November-04, 12:45 PM		#3 (permalink)
BhladeOGhrass Apex Techie I	Well nobody was replying to the same question over there.. but anyway, do you mean search the circuit board for a 12V point or something, because its 30V DC in, not 12.

08-November-04, 01:02 PM		#6 (permalink)
BhladeOGhrass Apex Techie I	Yeah i know.. was thinking of rerouting it and using dropping it down to 12V so there would be a 30 and a 12V source.. guess that doesnt work?

08-November-04, 02:23 PM		#8 (permalink)
BhladeOGhrass Apex Techie I	Haha.. I don't know, I think resistors were supposed to be in that sentence somewhere, must of lost my train of thought.

08-November-04, 03:11 PM		#9 (permalink)
FunkyFresh 'Da Doctor of Funk	Just like with LED's, you can use resistors to drop the voltage if you know the cathode's current draw (which you could also measure with a multimeter). And, just like LED's, you'll have to make sure the resistors have the correct resistance and power ratings. For more info, try googling "Ohm's Law" for resistance, and "Watt's Law" for power.

08-November-04, 03:18 PM		#10 (permalink)
BhladeOGhrass Apex Techie I	Ok, I understand i can take the voltage down, what I've been trying to find out is, will running a cold cathode off of the same power supply that the printer is running off of cause the printer to function improperly or not at all (due to the new power drain)

08-November-04, 03:34 PM		#11 (permalink)
FunkyFresh 'Da Doctor of Funk	Can't say for sure, but cathodes don't draw a huge amount of power.

10-November-04, 12:07 PM		#12 (permalink)
Joose Joosey	if it's a "laser" printer, then it will likely affect printing performance; if it's an inkjet, you might be able to get away with it... Just keep in mind...when the manufacturer was making the printer, they did not anticipate ANY accessory draw. The PS is likely just enough for what the printer needs...either way it could cause a problem, but this is all theory. I've never done it myself... Why not drop by radio shack and pick up an ac/dc 12v transformer and power your CC off of that? Better safe than sorry...your credit card might thank you too...