Marquee Backlight Debate needed please

[MYX]

Hey all, I have been looking at Cold Cathode vs. T8 vs. T5.

I have only seen a CC Black light, so I do not know how much light they actually put out. I did a search and found that some folks were really happy with the CC White lights. I did not find much in the search about t5 or t8 specifically. I looked at Home Depot this weekend at flouressents and decided that I did not want to go with the big ol fatty flouressents (Though good light, they take up a lot of room)
 
I would rather go with the T8 or T5 sized. My issue is that the t5 did not seem to put out much light and the t8 was not working.

My delima is this... I read that it is best to have 3 inches between the edge of the bulb and the marquee for best light spread. I took into account for the bulb size, but dork did not think about the big metal box that is connected to the flouressent light. So I am looking at smaller footprint lighting.

What are you all using and do you like it?

[Ken Layton]

A.M.O.A. game cabinet specifications call for a fixture using an F15T8 fluorescent light.

[johnperkins21]

Technically you don't need that big metal box to hold your light. There's a ballast in there with wires going to the tombstones on either end. Re-route the wires for the tombstones, and mount the light below or above the ballast. That will give you pretty low profile, but I'd keep the lamp at least 1/2" from your wood just because those things get very, very hot and I'm a wussy.

[MYX]

Thanks Ken and johnperkins21, I will look into the Flouressents more.
I do want to get more input for alternates too. So...

What are you all using and do you like it?

Thanks all.

After this is all done, I will also add the findings to the wiki.

[lloydcom]

I use a cold cathode white light that was intended as a case mod for a PC.  The unit came with the inverter/starter and the brightness is enough to light the box.

I'm in the UK and Maplins (see below) has one that works very well.  I'm very sure you can find one anywhere in the world.

It connects up to your pc power molex, and it makes it real easy to switch on and off, but it can function with any 12v source.

I didn't want a hot bulb in there causing a fire, that would be hard to explain to the insurance company if the house went up 

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=34147&criteria=cold%20cathode&doy=16m6