Lighting source for lithopanes

[myxpykalix]

I'm looking for a good source for lighting a lithopane. I have looked at all the dollar stores, home centers, big lots, craft stores and everywhere for something like this in the picture. It is a 13 watt 3/8" round flourescent tube. I can find the bulbs no problem, I just can't find any seperate receptacles for it. I don't want to buy a whole desklamp. Does anyone know of a reasonably priced place to buy the bulb and receptacle? Or anything similar or have suggestions on anything better? thanks

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[kfitz]

I can't help you Jack, but I've often thought it would be neat to light a lithophane pet grave marker using one of those solar driveway lights. Sort of an electronic "eternal flame" for a beloved pet.

[myxpykalix]

I already thought of that! I went out and bought a set and took my lithopane out after it charged up all day and they don't put out enough light to even see it thru the thinnest part of a litho. My thought was to make a sign for a friends farm called "Dogwood Hill" and in the center i wanted a litho of a dogwood tree. Then have the solar lite behind it, it was a bust. Besides the solar lite only lasts for 3-4 hours before it dies out. These were cheap dollar store lites too.

[myxpykalix]

FYI: searching in another forum I cam across this site:
http://www.directron.com/clk12wt.html#caption this looks like it might be what we need.

but other ideas and suggestions still wanted...

[Brian Moran]

Hi Jack,

There has been an excellent thread recently on the Vectric forum regarding lighting lithophanes using cold cathode lights.


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8931

These tubes are used to light the inside of ‘custom’ computer cases and can be acquired pretty cheaply. Jeff E. on the forum has gone to the trouble of putting together a PDF file showing how to wire up the tubes using an inexpensive wall transformer.

Link to top of thread http://vectric.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6002#6002

Direct link to post with the PDF file http://vectric.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6102#6102

Hope this helps

Brian

[myxpykalix]

Brian,
After i posted the question i went to the vectric forum and found the post you quoted and posted the link to those cold cathode tubes above. I talked to the guy who made the pdf and he says they work good so i am going to buy a couple to try out. Thanks for going to the effort to find that for me.