In article ,
Ger wrote:
Anyone know if (and where) I might buy a small neat
neon-tube-type light that I could put into the display area.

Maplin ZC11 - 4.99. It's a 150mm miniature fluorescent unit operated by 4
AA cells. Includes velcro self adhesive pads. ;-)

--
*A backward poet writes inverse.*

Dave Plowman London SW 12
RIP Acorn

In message ,
"Ger" wrote:

Hi Group,
I have built a small table with a plate glass top.
Underneath the glass top is an area (21"x24") for displaying
shells and the like. I would like to add a hidden
light beneath the glass to enhance the display.
Anyone know if (and where) I might buy a small neat
neon-tube-type light that I could put into the display area.
Manual switch on/off would be fine.
BUT - it must be battery operated - no external cables.
Best I can think of are torch bulbs and soldered wires!!
In hope and with thanks
Ger



You could dismantle a "camping lantern" or three, try camping shops and
diy stores. I had a very early version of one of these. Not hugely
bright, but good enough for camping. Ran on 4 AAs for about 8 hours (3
or 4 hours a night - would last a decent camping trip). Maplin still do
something similar: YT10, £4.99. Also ZC11 (£4.99) and UN43 (£14.99) for
something a bit bigger. In fact, there's quite a lot of them and other
possible alternatives on p547-549 of the current catalogue.

I also bought a kit from Maplin... ermmm... doesn't seem to be in the
current catalogue. This was in the day when they did their own kits and
not the hugely overpriced Velleman stuff.

You could be really sneaky and hide a stick of batteries in a leg :-) (a
table leg that is).

Dunno. May be of help.

Hwyl!

M.

--
Martin Angove (it's Cornish for "Smith") - ARM/Digital SA110 RPC
See the Aber Valley -- http://www.tridwr.demon.co.uk/abervalley.html
.... We laughed, we sang, we danced far into the night.

Ger wrote:

Hi Group,
I have built a small table with a plate glass top.
Underneath the glass top is an area (21"x24") for displaying
shells and the like. I would like to add a hidden
light beneath the glass to enhance the display.
Anyone know if (and where) I might buy a small neat
neon-tube-type light that I could put into the display area.
Manual switch on/off would be fine.
BUT - it must be battery operated - no external cables.
Best I can think of are torch bulbs and soldered wires!!
In hope and with thanks
Ger



Camping fluorescent lights.

In article ,
chris French writes:

Battery operated bulbs/fluorescents are fine, but the batteries don't
last that long really. (though I guess you could hide larger capacity
batteries)

or rechargables to save replacement costs.

I would suggest investigating the bright 'white' LEDS that are now
available. These have improved in leaps and bounds recently and are now
being used in things like head torches and cycle lights.

Main problem I foresee I the quality of the light (it is not really a
white light, it has a very blue tinge to it.

The beam sometimes isn't a consistent colour across it's width
either, but this sounds like a good potential use for them.

The spread of the light might not be even enough

There are some very thin (T1, 3.2mm diameter) fluorescent tubes
available. Originally made by JKL, but I think others make them
now too. These would be excellent for concealing in small spaces,
but don't allow them to come into contact with flammable material
as the ends get extremely hot (for fluorescent tubes).
I've noticed Maplin stock them with inverter for 12V operation,
although these may not be JKL ones. I have only seen them in high
(cold) colour temperatures (not tried the Maplin ones though),
although if you want 1000, JKL will make them up in whatever
colour temperature you want;-) JKL do 5-6V inverters in addition
to 12V ones. The tubes are cold cathode tubes, so the inverters
are capable of generating the best part of 1000V, so you will
need to be careful.

JKL also do blacklight blue versions (long wave UV for fluorescing
materials).

--
Andrew Gabriel

In article ,
chris French wrote:
Battery operated bulbs/fluorescents are fine, but the batteries don't
last that long really. (though I guess you could hide larger capacity
batteries)

I would suggest investigating the bright 'white' LEDS that are now
available. These have improved in leaps and bounds recently and are now
being used in things like head torches and cycle lights.

LEDs aren't as efficient as fluorescents everything being equal. They
achieve longer life on bikes by pulsing them - as unlike most other light
sources they have the same 'start' current as running.
And, of course, a fluorescent wouldn't be suitable for a bike due to the
size and type of light - you need a bright point source for visibility
rather than a large softer light which is better for illuminating
something.

--
*I'm planning to be spontaneous tomorrow *

Dave Plowman London SW 12
RIP Acorn

Thanks to everyone for all those great ideas.
Your combined help and comments much appreciated.

Ger

"Ger" wrote in message
...
Hi Group,
I have built a small table with a plate glass top.
Underneath the glass top is an area (21"x24") for displaying
shells and the like. I would like to add a hidden
light beneath the glass to enhance the display.
Anyone know if (and where) I might buy a small neat
neon-tube-type light that I could put into the display area.
Manual switch on/off would be fine.
BUT - it must be battery operated - no external cables.
Best I can think of are torch bulbs and soldered wires!!
In hope and with thanks
Ger