INVERTER FOR FL-12 CCFT LAMPS

This inverter can drive two CCFL's with a little modification:
1) Carefully pry out the dummy plug with a pair of side cutters and clean the epoxy residue from the pins.
2) Open the case and solder in a 25 pF 3KV capacitor in the place marked C4.
3) Close the case, plug in two CCFL's and connect power.
You now have a two CCFL inverter for the price of one.

This inverter works well as a HV power supply, producing 600 VDC from 3.6 VDC if you use a voltage doubler rectifier circuit. Current draw (no load) is only 15 mA at 3.6 V input. I use the inverter as a power supply for a geiger tube.

I know these run on 12v, but how much current do they draw, I am thinking of using it as a camping light powered by lead-acid batteries but have no Idea how long it will last.

The reviews sounded good for a CCFL. I would recommend purchasing one. But don't put it on any metal surface!

Reviewer: TheCrazy88 "Well the first one I plugged in arched across two bottom contacts, smoked a bit, and ceased working."

Comment: The CCFL inverter transformer secondary is a resonant circuit that relies on the tube as a load, without the tube connected it may over stress and fail. Always connect the lamp before applying power.