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cathode in trunk?

Discussion in 'Interior' started by dragonhuntur, Nov 18, 2004.

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    dragonhuntur Sunny So.Cal

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    Damn!!! I want mine that bright!! :D Where did get the cathode. I see them at Frys but didn't know they were that good :D How much do they run for...sorry for all the questions but I rreally like the brightness of it :D
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    toyotaboy New Member

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    cathode in trunk?

    Ok, I'm sick of the crappy lighting in my trunk. I tried replacing the stock bulb with a couple different LED"s, but it's not any better. so then I thought "hey, cathode is bright as hell!", I can just hook one up by splicing into the wires (cathode typically runs on 12v like from a computer power supply and draws about 300milliamps), then I can just use double sided tape to mount it underneath. My only question is, can I use the wires already running to the current bulb, or will the draw overheat the wires? this chart:
    http://www.epanorama.net/documents/...resistance.html

    Says that 28 gauge wire will handle up to 500milliamps, but I'm not sure if the wires in there are that thick or not?

    *edit - nevermind.. guess I should try before I ask. I pulled the bulb assembly out, pulled the connector down a bit, and the thickness of the wires are equivalent to what's going into the power supply inverter, so there should be no problem. I stuck the two wires directly into the connector and stuck on some electrical tape (I'll solder them direct later).. works great, lots of bright light.. when I open the trunk it's like when they opened the briefcase in pulp fiction :) it's a clear 4" lens and it works great.. It was from a mis-order on a lightkit I bought like a year ago. glad it's finally being put to use*
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    RollaRyder1103 New Member

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    toyotaboy New Member

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    it wasn't hard to do.. oh, you mean so you can see the brightness? here:

    pic with the garage light on:
    [IMG]
    pic with lights off (note reflection off garage door)
    [IMG]
    pic inside trunk, reflecting off everything
    [IMG]
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    toyotaboy New Member

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    ummm.. shop online for a cathode. xoxide.com has some nice ones, but they're a little pricey. For best prices either check pricewatch, or do a search on yahoo shopping and sort by price. Shouldn't have to pay more than $8 for a 4". The one I got has a plastic protective sleeve built around the cathode. it's possible they're all like this now, but when they first came out you got an unprotected bulb (very easy to break), then they started using a cheap plastic sleeve that didn't work much better.
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    statik New Member

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    You should be fine with that wire. 300 mA isn't much at all. Most 9v powersupplys are around 300 mA, like for your cell phone or small electronics, look at how thick those wires are... The wire you've got running to the bulb is probably overkill, you're good.

    Looks really good. I think I'll have to get one myself, great idea.

    statik

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    dragonhuntur Sunny So.Cal

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    I seen them on eBay for 4.50 for 2 12" tubes...are those any good?

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