CCFL monitor backlight

I often work at a computer in the dark, and I know that it is not very useful for the eyes - to look at a bright monitor on a dark background. I watched various options, including the blue backlight on the LED from Ikea on a friend’s TV, but I myself couldn’t do something like that. At one time I even just wrapped the desk lamp behind the monitor, imitating the “backlight” - but this was not the solution.

The decision came by itself - on one of the sites where I sometimes buy different pieces of hardware, on the main page I looked at a pair of CCFL ( http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_cathode ) for a symbolic amount of 4.99 €. One trip to the store and spent another 7 € later I sit in the dark and write this text with absolutely unstressed eyes :)

The CCFLs, which I suddenly became the owner of, turned out to be Sharkoon companies, and were bundled in a switch, a transformer and a Y-cable to connect them to the computer’s power supply (based on casemodders):
')


“It's all good,” I thought, “but first, how do I power them (a computer under the table, and a monitor on top), and second, where to plug the switch so that it is convenient?”. I decided to extend the power cable of the meter by two, and attach the switch with all the wires and the transformer to the same place as the lamps — behind the monitor, so that it can be switched from the bottom. After that, I went and purchased the following items for a total of 7 €:



For a brilliant plan it took: a plastic “body” for wires and a switch, electrical tape, ties and clamps for connecting the wires (I don’t have a soldering iron), well, and actually a coil of a strong wire.

I cut the power cord immediately after the branch from the Molex, and using clamps again connected it with two meters of my wire. Extender was ready. The switch, I stuck in the wall of the "case", and inside hid the clips and excess wires.



After that, I connected the transformer and the lamps, and stuck the molex into the free branch of the power supply. Turn on. Works!



There was a trifle - to attach all this behind the monitor. I glued the case with the switch with double-sided tape at the lower edge - so it is convenient to turn it on and off and not to be seen from the front. And for the transformer and the lamps in the kit were Velcro, which I attached them.





Bottom line: for 12.99 € and five minutes of work, we have a comfortable backlight for the monitor, which everyone can do. Thank you all for your attention!