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Multi-Colored CCFL Review
Review Date: September 21, 2002
Reviewed by: Dwayne Sessom
Manufacturer: Sunbeam Technology
In the case modding world over the last year or so, we have been seeing a growing number of people using neon lights and more recently, cold cathode florescent lamps (CCFL's) to light the components inside of the PC case to display the owner's tricked out system. It makes sense really, no different than showing a car. You sink lots of hard earned cash into your system, so it is only natural to want to have a window in the case so you can see your investment. Not just any light will do though. Like an artist, you want colors to brighten your top-end components, and more color is better. Enter Sunbeam Technology, who specializes in CCFL lighting.
Here is what comes in the package:
- Two Multi-Color CCFL tubes.
- Dual Inverter.
- Wiring harness.
- Power switch.
- Velcro for Inverter attachment.
- Instruction booklet.
Assembly:
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Assembly is really easy - no tools required. The two CCFL tubes plug into the dual inverter as shown here. It doesn't matter which tube goes where, and both plugs are made so they will only fit the correct way. The velcro cover on the inverter is a cool idea because it enables you to stick the inverter anywhere you want without having to use screws, glue, etc.
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The wiring harness looks confusing at first, but Sunbeam has taken the time to put different shaped connectors on the harness so that everything only plugs into the place it is intended to go. This makes assembling the wiring harness a no-brainer. There is also a switch included that with a slight case mod could be mounted on the outside of the case, but if you like, you can leave it as. This is a much nicer looking switch than most I have seen. I like the round and flat shape.
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A close look at the tubes themselves reveals just how much attention to detail that Sunbeam truly has. These are by far the highest quality tubes I have seen. The CCFLs are inside a heavy acrylic sheath which is also protected from scratches by a thin plastic wrapper. The ends, as you can see, have square acrylic end pieces and the wiring going into the tubes is double insulated. The quality seen here surpasses anything we have seen yet here at PCExtreme.
Ok, so now we will show you what they look like in our Cheiftech case
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In the dark, and with the room lights on. These pics don't do these lights justice at all. The colors in real life are absolutely brilliant. I sure hope santa brings me that Sony Mavica CD1000 I want, cause the poor image quality of this camera is brutally apparent in low light shots.
But anyway, a few more pics...
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Here is a pic provided by Sunbeam. Click on it for a larger version.
Conclusion:
Everything about this CCFL setup is well thought out, and well designed. If you think that all CCFL's are the same, think again. We were pleasantly surprised at the high quality of craftsmanship that Sunbeam puts into these things. The only concern worth mentioning is that the inverter gets pretty warm after several hours of operation, so you might want to place it near a fan for good ventilation. Overall this is an outstanding product, and is well deserved of our best rating - 5 X's!
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