Underdash Neon wiring

[WestCoastKDM]

I have 4, 10'' neons wich plug into the cig lght. How can i wire these to the car and free up my cig lght?

[moosie420]

cut off the lighter,
twist them all togeather,
sodder a new wire to the existing one, make sure the sodder is covered by electrical tape after.
run the wire to a switch (your choice(either end))
run the other side to a 12 volt power source
if your going right off the battery make sure to buy a fuse

thae the other wire and "ground" it to the car.(-battery terminal, chassis)

[tibby01]

make sure that the transformer is in the tubes though, NOT the cig lighter adapter before you cut it off.

[WestCoastKDM]

I tried what you said. I soddered the wire to a new wire and ran that wire to the battery. It didn't work. Any ideas?

[MADTIB]

First of all, how do you want this to be wired? Do you want to control the neons from an aftermarket switch, or do you want it connected so they turn on when you turn on the parking/headlights? This is the way I have mine,which makes more sense.You can't see the neons during the day.

Let me know and I'll try to get you tru it.

[moosie420]

Originally posted by WestCoastKDM
[body]
I tried what you said. I soddered the wire to a new wire and ran that wire to the battery. It didn't work. Any ideas?
[/body]

each wire? meaning the - and + wire needs it's own wire. make sure it's grounded (-) or the circut will not be completed.

[tibby01]

Originally posted by tibby01
[body]
make sure that the transformer is in the tubes though, NOT the cig lighter adapter before you cut it off.
[/body]

IS IT!!???!!!

neon tubes work by passing very high voltage through gas. 12v from the car battery isnt enough, so they have transformers to step up the voltage to about 3000. some have the tranformers on the end of the tubes, others have it in the cig lighter plug. if the cig lighter has anything in it besides a fuse and some wires, then the transformer is in the cig lighter plug, and you cant cut it off.

[WestCoastKDM]

Ok....the transformer is in tact. It its independent of the bulb but in the middle of the wires. And yes, I want them to just turn on when my headlights are on...no aftermarket switch. Thanks for the help.

[moosie420]

just splce the positive amd negitive wires into the fuse box for the headlight fuse. i ran mine to the foglights so if i get pissed off with them i can turn them off.

[WestCoastKDM]

Ok...thanks for all your help. For now I have them going to a switch. The headlight option, however, is appealing. How many of these lights can I safely run from my battery?