Awesome NEON alternative!

[92CordDX]

yeah, so i was checkin ebay out for some neons, and i ran across these cathodes for $4


I ordered then, came 3 days later (today) so i decided to put these puppies in!

12" Cold Cathode Tubes (for PC's)


Pics after install:

Car off (still works, installed a *hidden* switch under the seat)



Car on with deck lights, dash etc



View from backseat, one 12" light under each seat provides enough light for both the front AND the rear!



This is just real quick, so ill write some more up on it tomorrow

[92CordDX]

please read the rules about postin Ebay links.


Thanks
Jordan

Someone needs to get their panties out of a bunch, im NOT selling these, but since they're installed im just showing everyone that they're actually computer case cathodes.

[92CordDX]

i geuss i understand, but i don't see that in the rules, feel free to show me

[The G-Man]

Anyways. Good find. Not really for me because I have been using cathodes for a few years now. In my computer, not my car.

['93accordse]

the ebay thing is a PARTIAL ban, and its kind of spotty. the rules really need to be rewritten in cases such as these. this isnt an item that the normal everday person would find or that a car enthusiast would be looking for, therefore in this case i think the link would be ok. the rules are so open to interpretation, its kind of dumb. and i hate how everyone jumps on everyone elses cases about ebay links. no offense to you Jordan, but thats what the mods are for. other members getting on each other just causes resentment imo.

[eriemoto.]

what did you wire it to?

[civic_90_08]

your right, and im sorry bro

[AccordWarrior]

The ebay ban isn't for random stuff...its more when people were posting up links to every JDM CB part that existed...causing the prices to skyrocket.

[d2privat11]

Xoxide has these, but I wasn't sure how to wire em up, mind PM'ing me with how and how you did the switch?

http://xoxide.com/bluecathode.html

[T3aM 83rD]

damm, they look nice and bright

[4doorfury]

Looks great! How did you wire them up? I looked into them before I got my neons, they seemed cheaper and brighter, but I couldn't figure out the wiring to the 12v.

[cp[mike]]

looks good. im amazed that car people havent been using cold cathodes this whole time, they are much brighter and run cold. i used to have a pair of 12" cold cathode tubes for a PC mounted under my hood... [img]http://www.****.com/www/blueneons.jpg[/img]

[Thomas_LX]

How did you wire these? Obviously, you needed an inverter.... right? How you get them to run off of 12V? Where did you get power from? Take a wire straight from the battery? Hmmmmmm?

[92CordDX]

K, here is what i did:

1. Cut off computer power connectors, but i saved the extra wire incase i needed to lengthen the wires from the switch and inverter (which i did)

2. took some speaker wire leftover from my sub (i used monster cable instead, the stock stuff was crap anyway) and separated the first 2 inches into 2 wires, then stripped about 1/2" on the ends of both wires.

3. Stuck one wire into the socket for the 12VDC Amp power wire (loosened screw, shoved it in next to the power wire) and screwed it back down

4) Stuck the other in the gournd termincal on the amp, same as the power line.

5) Took note of which was ground/power (one wire in the speaker wire loom has writing on it, the other has nothing)

6) Ran the speaker wire through the backseat hinge (folds down), right along where i ran the power line for the amp from the engine bay. Put it under the foot panel that covers the edge of the carpet in the doorframe, then cut a small X in the carpet to slip the wire through the hole and under the driver seat ( approx in the middle of the seat, from front to back).

7) Cut the excess wire, then stripped both wires about 1/2". Connected the Ground wire to the black wire coming from the inverter, soldered that and heatshrinked it. Then the other wire coming from the inverter (+) went from the inverter to a switch (red wire) then a yellow wire ran out of the switch. Since this is the (+) wire still, i connected the (+) wire coming from the amp, again soldering and geatshrinking it.

7) undid the two screws for the center console (Ebrake section only need be removed, the rest can stay in).

8) Popped one of the inserts from the Ebrake console section out, dremeeled a hole for the slide switch (kept it recessed and painted it black, looks stock so no one knows i have them ) Then proceeded to JB weld it in there.

9) While letting the JB weld cure, i cut back some of the unattatched capet under the Ebrake console section, then washed it with rubbing alcohol and put the large piece of velcro on it (provided with the Cathode kit) Stuck the opposite side of the velcro to the inverter, stuck that puppy down there.

10) Ran one cathode from the inverter (one side of the inverter the 12VDC power goes in, the other the two Cathodes plug in) to the passenger side and one to the driver side.

11) By this time, the jb weld had cured, so i turned the switch on to make positive the lights still functioned, then screwed the console back in leaving the inverter under there to be seen by no one Also, excess wires were ziptied and loomed so ntohing is fishing around and is possible to get caught in the Ebrake. Lastly, i pulled the Cathose wires from the inverter as tight as possible, giving myself enough slack to work with under the seats.

12) Attatched 2 velcro squares to each cathose end (4 in total, also provided) then proceeded to stick the corresponding sides under the seats, far back enough so not to be kickable when getting in/out, but far enough foward so the light isn't lost under the seat.

13) Kept the lights on the WHOLE time while finishing the install, so if somehting did come loose or someting, i could tell right away and not after i had everyhting put back together.



**I tried to make as many steps as possibly, i know some of you aren't Electronic oriented, and i HATE it when there is a DIY but the stps go way too fast **


anymore questions, fell free to ask!

[rickyduckworth]

normally i look at neons like i do windshield banners and altezzas, but those are pretty damn nice......