Cold Cathode - How Hot Will It Get?

[fourthtimelucky]

I have wired up my small (4") blue cold cathode, inverter, 12v power source etc thanks to the great pinned topic, and it all seems to be working fine.

Just trying to work out how hot it will get so I can decide where to put it. There is actually room for it inside the reflector for my 15w arcadia pygmy lamp. I would put it on the edge but this would only leave a couple of cm between the two bulbs. Other option is mounting it directly to my hood but because of space issues this would probably be quite close to the condensation tray.

I've had it running 15m or so and still 'warm' rather than hot -- but will it end up scorching anything around it? The packet says 'low heat'... but then it would, wouldn't it!?

Any info on how hot these things actually get much appreciated.

 

[raptorrex]

it will never get too warm to hold. the tube itself is encased in a plastic tube, very little heat is transfered. you can put it anywhere as long as you insulate all connections.

 

[fourthtimelucky]

Thanks, that's good to know.

 

[o0ric0o]

just ordered myself 2 of these