Okay im looking into some cold cathode lighting for my xB and i was wondering if people who have done this could describe the install and its intensity, good mounting places/strategies, and tips on where to buy which brands and so on... im a nub DIY'er so pardon me for asking such a (probably) pitiful question... I'm the most confused about the electrical setup. Ideally i would like to hook my cathodes (yet to be purchased) into the power on my dash setup so i can dim everything if i want to. That or do some constant and some into the electrical current that works when you lock/unlock (it'd be pretty spiff to make it glow inside when i lock my car ) Any suggestions?! where the wires are etc?! thanks a lot people. (yes i know about randode's stuff but, no offense randode, i don't have that kind of money to throw at some cold cathodes ) thanks everyone

 

you might want to PM korbendalis , bBted or the Opr8r . they are the cold cathode kings They are available for parties too!

 

the only thing i REALLY want to know is, if you buy the cold cathodes that are made for computers, are they 12v.? If not, where can you get an invertor and what exactley shoud i look for. We're not tryin to outdo you RANDY but some of us just want to do it ourselves

 

Cumon, i know someone knows the answer to this...help us noobs

 

Computer = Car = 12 volts
enjoy!

 

for the love of pete.....THANK YOU...now..was that so hard?

 

NOT AT ALL

 

http://www.svc.com/lighting.html
http://www.elwirecheap.com/neonwircarki.html
http://www.hardcorecooling.us/index....S&Category=303
http://www.thinkgeek.com/pcmods/lighting/
http://www.geekchicpc.com/case_lighting.html

 

dont forget ebay.com

 

alright, this is way easier than it sounds, got the cathodes and installed them, they are hot, cost all of 15 dollars shipped + 1 hour of figuring ____ out.

 

These cold cathodes cost me $10.99 at Comp USA. I just spliceed them into my existing LED wires. There is no reason why someone should have to pay more then that to get ones that are made just for cars.....they are the same thing for PC box mods. Just make sure you keep the little inverter that comes with them in circuit. And if you accidentally touch the negative to the positive there is an inline fuse under the center console(at least in the xA) which comes of with just one screw in the rear cup holder,

 

could u post a pic of what the tubes look like without them on in the day? I want to see where u have them mounted and what they look like.

thanks

 

you could also make your own for a few bucks...

-goto Radioshack... buy 2 LED's in whatever color they have that you like... buy wire... and buy one of those cigarette lighter car charger thingies for your cell phones (they sell them at radio shack to be used as a power source)...

-then goto a Home Depot or similar place... buy a clear plastic tube... cut to whatever size you want... and some silicon sealant...

-Now... wire the LED's and mount one in each end of the tube... Lock them in with the silicon.. Let dry... Then finish wiring and plug into cig. lighter..



There.... all done for like 10-15 bucks...


That's what I was going to do when I g0t my xB.. but I'm going to get a RS 1.0... and it already has lights.. and I don't need to do a write up anymore....

 

ahhh crap, now you confused me again. Most of the cold cathode lights that i see at fry's don't have any type of invertor or anything attached to them. it just looks like a tube with 2 or 3 wires coming out of it. PLEASE EXPLAIN

 

because u didnt see the inverter....they should have it

 

Why would u spend that much and do that much work when u can just get 2 12" Tubes with Inverters for under $6 from www.svc.com

 

the joy and pride of DIY..... smartass

 

:mrgreen: Why Yes I Am!!

 

I can email pics of the day to anyone who wants to see them. The cold cathodes are really cheap if you buy them off the internet. PCMODS.com has a whole array of them. I just dont have the pattience when I get ideas( damn mail). LEDS aren't bright enough for me but some people dont want it too bright so LED's are right up thier alley.