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Strobe light question

Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 11:06 am
by Pump3
Hi I was wondering if somebody could tell me what will happen if I run 12V into a hide-a-way strobe light without a strobe power supply, thanks

Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 12:58 pm
by eboe
if you're lucky... nothing.

you need the power supply.

Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 3:27 pm
by Pj
Strobe tubes do not run off of 12vDC. They require a cathod, antoode and trigger wire (all spelling aside of course). The power supply bumps up the 12vDC to a fairly high voltage to run the tube (ie, don't stick your tonge on the end unless you want to go into afib).

Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 3:28 pm
by Pump3
Ok I understand, thanks for the help

Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 5:47 pm
by thebigphish
Pj wrote: (ie, don't stick your tonge on the end unless you want to go into afib).
but don't worry, the afib won't kill you anywhere near as fast as the v-fib will!

Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 6:44 am
by Pump3
Hi guys, I was wondering if you could recomend a good power supply for just 2 strobes located in the 2 front corners, Thanks

Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 12:45 pm
by TWL911
Whelen CSP-220, or CSP-240: depending on how much you want to spend, and your power output requirements. The Tomar 400 series are decent little 2 outlet supplies as well.


as with anything, "you get what you pay for!"

Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2006 4:35 am
by Pump3
Can you give me a price on those units, just so I have an idea. Thanks

Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2006 6:30 pm
by firemanfox
just a personal opinion from past experiances, if you are buying for what you have now at least double it for future upgrades. i.e. buy at least a 4 strobe I would probably go with one of the whelen 6 strobe packs with 2x2x2 switching or 2x4 switching not a whole lot more money and allows for expansion later

Power supply side note

Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 10:40 pm
by squashie8
Just a side note, but I believe the CSP power supplies are "unregulated". So try not to run 2 strobes in larger power supplies such as the Whelen CSP660 (60watt 6 Outlet).

I also wouldn't recommend the CSP690 even with 4 strobes because it will pump too much power to the strobe causing way too much heat and therefore, melting the the plastic in the light assembly.

We haven't had too many problems with the CSP660 and 4 strobes except the occasional bad bulb. Just try to allow for at least a 1" clearance in the light assemblies. :D