DIY: Wiring Cold Cathode Lamps for auto use

heathenbrewing · 06-15-2006, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backseatchris

-i did not try the fuses themselves going different directions but i will.

That wont make a difference.

Im leaning towards a bad ground myself. Let me know how it turns out.

backseatchris · 06-15-2006, 04:53 PM

i use the neg on the battery....but i have a pretty good ground on the car. its on a screw @ the parking brake. I really think the problem is that its not getting enough power

heathenbrewing · 06-15-2006, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backseatchris

i use the neg on the battery....but i have a pretty good ground on the car. its on a screw @ the parking brake. I really think the problem is that its not getting enough power

It would be quick and easy to check to be 100% sure though.

Big_Kokujin · 06-15-2006, 05:10 PM

So Taz, just to make sure; i can lenthen the +/- but not the wires after the in/converter right?

heathenbrewing · 06-15-2006, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big_Kokujin

So Taz, just to make sure; i can lenthen the +/- but not the wires after the in/converter right?

You get a yes vote from me anyway.

DodgerGirl · 06-15-2006, 05:22 PM

Hey Taz, how much do you charge?

backseatchris · 06-15-2006, 05:26 PM

where is a good place to ground a wire?

the connection with the ground wire and the ring terminal is very tight and the connection with the ring terminal and the screw holding it in place is very tight.

What could i do to ground it any better? Just curious, maybe im forgetting something

surfcitylocal · 06-16-2006, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big_Kokujin

So Taz, just to make sure; i can lenthen the +/- but not the wires after the in/converter right?

You can lengthen the wires after the converter provided you are using the 4 inch cold cathodes and do not extend it beyond another 5-6 inches. Any further and the light output will dim.

surfcitylocal · 06-16-2006, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backseatchris

where is a good place to ground a wire?

the connection with the ground wire and the ring terminal is very tight and the connection with the ring terminal and the screw holding it in place is very tight.

What could i do to ground it any better? Just curious, maybe im forgetting something

You will do best using a ground point that is already in place. You can find them throughout the vehicle. Scion uses white wires for the grounds. You'll notice several wires all connected to the body with a screw, you can use that same point. If you are looking for one in the ceter console area, there is a perfect ground point at the mounting for the e-brake.

backseatchris · 06-16-2006, 10:30 AM

ok, so i just tried the ground point exactly where ya said and still it lights up the exact same way. I dont think its getting enough power from the fusebox? Im out of ideas

Big_Kokujin · 06-16-2006, 10:36 AM

FYI, if you use the e-brake bolt as a ground point its a PITA to get back in. Unless you have the brake off, like all the way down...I fought with it for 15 minutes while it was up...

Skeeter · 06-16-2006, 10:50 AM

I think i used one of the bolts for the shifter as a ground.

Skeeter · 06-16-2006, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backseatchris

i use the neg on the battery....but i have a pretty good ground on the car. its on a screw @ the parking brake. I really think the problem is that its not getting enough power

The packaging says they use 500mA, which is .5 amps or 1/2 amp. When I ran them without a fuse the invertor didnt last long, so a fuse is recomended STRONGLY. I am using .5 amp fuses on each set of cathodes.. Hope this helps Chris.

Chris You found 16 sets of 12inch cathodes on ebay for $10??????

backseatchris · 06-16-2006, 11:07 AM

i bought 8 sets of 2 for $10. Sorry i wasnt talking correctly when i said 16 cathodes. i meant individual not sets. my bad.

Is there any way to use a fuse without going through the fusebox?

backseatchris · 06-16-2006, 02:31 PM

okay, i even hooked it up to the car battery and it is dim. grrrrr

heathenbrewing · 06-16-2006, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backseatchris

okay, i even hooked it up to the car battery and it is dim. grrrrr

It sounds like a bad transformer.

But why did you initially say when you hooked it to the battery it worked fine, now you say you hooked it directly to the car battery and no glow?

Very odd.

Not trying to give you a hard time, but dbl check the wiring and try plugging a different (as in none you have installed so far, if you still have a few) transformer. It is possible to fry those bad boys.

heathenbrewing · 06-16-2006, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skeeter

....When I ran them without a fuse the invertor didnt last long, so a fuse is recomended STRONGLY....

I think that all that testing with a battery (if it was a car battery) may have killed the transformer. They tend to work for a while when having a full 12V applied, but they do fail quickly under that load.

backseatchris · 06-16-2006, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heathenbrewing

It sounds like a bad transformer.

But why did you initially say when you hooked it to the battery it worked fine, now you say you hooked it directly to the car battery and no glow?

Very odd.

Not trying to give you a hard time, but dbl check the wiring and try plugging a different (as in none you have installed so far, if you still have a few) transformer. It is possible to fry those bad boys.

When i say i hooked it up to a battery then, i mean one of these.

this is the first time that i hooked it up straight to the car battery.

I opened a new box and did try a new transformer. It worked just fine with one of those little batteries, but when i tried hooking up to the fuse, its extremely dim and only lights up about 1/4 of the tube. Ive tried multiple ground points, and have even run new wire. Then when i tried the car battery with a new transformer, still the same results as the fuse box hook up. And just to make sure i didnt blow the transformer, i tried the 9v battery again, and it was working fine.

I have no clue whats going on.

Skeeter · 06-16-2006, 06:30 PM

a 9 volt isn't enough to fire the cathodes., 12 volts gets stepped up to around 700 volts or so,with very low current. And yes you can fuse them without going through the fuse box, i used round fuse holders simular to what Big_Kokujin used, I picked up a 10 pack of fuse holders for $5 at a electronics place. You can run it them without a fuse for a short period of time. Sounds like you found a good deal on those cathodes

surfcitylocal · 06-16-2006, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backseatchris

When i say i hooked it up to a battery then, i mean one of these.

this is the first time that i hooked it up straight to the car battery.

I opened a new box and did try a new transformer. It worked just fine with one of those little batteries, but when i tried hooking up to the fuse, its extremely dim and only lights up about 1/4 of the tube. Ive tried multiple ground points, and have even run new wire. Then when i tried the car battery with a new transformer, still the same results as the fuse box hook up. And just to make sure i didnt blow the transformer, i tried the 9v battery again, and it was working fine.

I have no clue whats going on.

Are you sure you're using cold cathodes? They shouldn't be able to run off of a 9v battery. The converter is designed to use 12v and ups the voltage for the bulbs to light up. When you tried it with the 9v where you connecting the converter to the battery or just the bulb? Interesting situation you've got going there. Post a pic of your stuff if you've got one.