>>>> What do I need to run these on either 12VDC or something similar
>>>> in AC ? Has to be low voltage
>>>>
Most of the cheap CCFL inverters you can get surplus (or out of a
discarded laptop/etc, or as part of a "case mod" or automotive
vanity lighting) will drive normal fluorescent tubes as well (one
output at each end of the tube.)  Output will be what the inverter
can supply rather than what the tube is good for, of course, but it's
frequently enough to do reasonable things to small tubes.

Here's a cheap TDK inverter set inside a 20W CFL bulb that had blown
its original balast.  Now it glows nicely (but nowhere near 20W worth!)
from a Li-ion cell...

http://homepage.mac.com/westfw/.Pictures/Photo%20Album%20Pictures/2004 
-07-23%2018.46.17%20-0700/Image-2219447EDD1311D8.jpg

BillW
-- 
http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist