Introduction: Install Computer Cold Cathode Lights Into Car
Many accessories such as fans and lights that you can put into your computer can also be put into your car since they run off 12v.
This is my first intructable and will be on how to install a cold cathode light kit under the dash in a car. I am using a dual green kit on a 1994 buick park ave., the lights will get their power from the cigarette lighter. You can run a line from the battery, but the reason why I used a cig. lighter is because 1. It already has an inline fuse 2. Easy access and I don't smoke :)
Advantages: Bright
Affordable
Disadvantages: Somewhat Fragile
I got the kit from http://www.xoxide.com , these kits can be found other places as well so I will be using one of their pictures. A note on that picture is that the bulbs are blue, the ones I used are green.
This is my first intructable and will be on how to install a cold cathode light kit under the dash in a car. I am using a dual green kit on a 1994 buick park ave., the lights will get their power from the cigarette lighter. You can run a line from the battery, but the reason why I used a cig. lighter is because 1. It already has an inline fuse 2. Easy access and I don't smoke :)
Advantages: Bright
Affordable
Disadvantages: Somewhat Fragile
I got the kit from http://www.xoxide.com , these kits can be found other places as well so I will be using one of their pictures. A note on that picture is that the bulbs are blue, the ones I used are green.
Step 1: What You Will Need
1. this kit and the parts that come with
2. electrical tape, ( i ran out so i used athletic tape for now, please use electrical if you can)
3. wire stripper ( i used a knife)
2. electrical tape, ( i ran out so i used athletic tape for now, please use electrical if you can)
3. wire stripper ( i used a knife)
Step 2: Cut the Right Wires
You will notice two white 4 pin molex connectors, one of them has 4 wires going into it, the other only has 2. The one with two wires is unnecessary and can be cut off to avoid confusion. The Yellow is your 12v and the black is your ground. I'll try to explain on the picture better..
Step 3: To the Cigarette Lighter!
Find a way to get to the power and ground wires using your cigarette lighter. My ash tray just popped and slid right out. It did take some force, yours may use screws or involve taking a part of the dash off. If you do not want to use the cigarette lighter, you can run a line from the battery with an inline fuse, or find another 12v source such as the wire off your cd/tape player. Although these lights hardly draw any power (I have left them on for 2days with hardly any battery drain), make sure you know how to change a fuse if you need to.
Step 4: Wire Time
Now here is where you use the two wires you have cut and are ready to use. Splice the two wires respectively to the power and ground in your car, twist, then tape together. I unfortunately do not have a soldering iron, if you have one, USE IT! In my case, yellow to orange was 12v, black to black is ground. The 12v color may not match in your vehicle, but black is sure to be always ground. There was a third wire in my car but it was not connected to the lighter, but to the light bulb that lights the tray.
Step 5: A Place for the Inverter
I put the inverter in a central location right under the ash tray as this is where the lights plug in. You can always extend the power line to the switch, which will give you more room to place the inverter wherever, but you cannot cut the white wires to the light bulbs and lengthen them, they are a specific length. However, thanks to KeiferHurley for finding that white cable extensions (http://www.xoxide.com/ccfl-extension.html) can be purposed, however adding to much length may seriously dim the lights.
Step 6: Light Placement
I put one under the dash on the passenger and driver side using the velcros that come with, you may also want to use tape and/or superglue as sometimes the velcros won't stay, especially when the weather heats and cools a lot here in South Dakota.
Step 7: Night Time Lights!
Now your floorboards are beautiful! I hope this intructable was easy to understand, PLEASE ask questions. With xoxide.com, the lights plus shipping are $10, the only drawback is they are not waterproof. But are very bright! Keeping this in mind, avoid placing them right in front of you on the dash as they can't hurt your eyes and distract from your driving. Enjoy!