Cold Cathode Techniques!
#1
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sIcKsCiOnS
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Join Date: Feb 2004
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Cold Cathode Techniques!
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
#3
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
#8
#11
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,
#13
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....
-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....
#14
Just make sure you keep the little inverter that comes with them in circuit
#15
Originally Posted by scionracerxb
Just make sure you keep the little inverter that comes with them in circuit
#16
Originally Posted by AKgoalie7
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....
-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....
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
#19
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.
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