pic: cathode light assembly

[Doug G]

We built ours much the same way, a 2x4 frame, some sheet aluminum on the back, but it just doesn't seem bright enough. We may try lining the inside with foil next.

[elknise]

At first outs was extremely dim, after about 3 minutes it got brighter, then I walked down to the wood shop to get some tools, and when i got back about 10-15 minutes later, it was very bright. I believe that the lights just need to worm up..

Our box took about an hour to make and about 30 minutes to wire. I wired it up to one of our 12v batteries and used a breaker panel from 2 years ago and a 20amp fuse to power it.

I was just wondering if anyone else used the correct offset for the lights from the diffuser panel?

Also, ours was plenty bright with just wood, has anyone compared a wood box to the official boxes to see how the light compares?

[AV_guy007]

we used aluminum and a 12v battery and it was bright almost instantly . i dont think they have to warm up.

[skimoose]

cold cathodes do need to warm up for maximum light output.

[coldabert]

4 hours of work? i can understand taking your time, but you had nothing better to do?