cold cathode trunk lighting
 

I found some cold cathode (what many people mislabel as neon) with inverters and the website (http://www.elwirecheap.com/si12winco.html) said that all i have to do is connect the inverters to a 12v source. my question is, is the trunk light socket wired to a 12v source, and can i connect that wiring to the cathode so that whenever I open my trunk, the switch is thrown to turn on the cathode? is that possible or will i need to do some wiring modifications? what i've got is a 1995 LX. thanks.
-meGrimlock

Re: cold cathode trunk lighting
 

IT can be done, by I would suggest using a relay inbetween the trunk switch and the inverter.

I'm a electronics student and I feel SOO dumb asking this question....

¿What is the purpose of a relay? I have a basic idea of how it works but not sure it's purpose.

The purpose of a relay is to provide 12v to whatever you connect to it (in this case additional trunk lighting) directly from the battery utilizing something else as a switch (in this case the original trunk light). Using a relay avoids the possibility of overloading a circuit.

But using the relay you are still pulling current from the same line and could possibly cause burning if pulling too much right?

Would you have to use another fuse for the switch?

What would be the layout? From the source line to the relay and connected to the relay is the transformer (in this case) and the switch?

Why are there different types of relays?

PS- sorry for taking over the thread

thanks
 

hey thanks for the advice, Rider and no dont worry about taking over the thread, Pollito, the more info the better. you're pretty much asking the same questions i would ask.
-meGrimlock

I have also stolen power from the tail lights that you could throw a switch on to to turn on and off. The power comes in just on the side of the trunk. If you can find the wire for the trunk light it should be able to tap in easily. I found that two lights is the most you want to run off one power source. Works fine without worries of burning something out.

yea the only wiring coming into the trunk i could find were my amp wiring and some wiring for the lights that came in from the side of the trunk that was wrapped in loom. i might try that wire first, thanks. do you think i could use the wiring from my amp kit? it's crossed my mind.
-meGrimlock

Sure you can use it but since the live (red) wire for the amps are directly from the battery they will always stay on (unless you install a switch). And if you DO decide to install a swtich nothing will assure you of remembering to shut them off. If you connect to running lights they will automatically turn on when you turn on the tailights and if you forget to turn them off you will have the buzzing sound to remind you.

If you want to have the buzzer and have the option of shutting them off you will want to connect to running lights and install a swtich, thus letting you choose to shut off on some ocassions.

Yeah, any hot wire (negative) in your car will work for and type of light or thing that needs power. Just remember when it is turned on and off, if applicable, like the head lights or the trunk light, or you could hook it up to a constant power source and have a switch. I ran the positive wire back to the middle armrest by going along the side of the car, under the door sill, and then under the driver's/passenger's seat. I then drilled a small hole in that center plastic armrest consol right near the shift and slapped in a switch. Then it's just a matter of attaching the wire to any little metal bit or screw to ground it. Works wonders.

sounds interesting, good advice. i havent ordered the part yet, but i'm definitely gonna try using the wiring from the existing bulb first, then try the other suggestions. i may just end up getting a switch/relay after all. thanks.
-meGrimlock