DIY ICE Sound Sensitive Cathode Light

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Cathode Lamp DIY

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Yesterday, spend another 13 hours on my car, did up the Cathode Lamp Tube (not neon), cigar lighter slot extension from the socket found inside the center console, Cable Hunter Project Part 4 which include soundproofing the boot door, front floor, wheel arch and firewall, also wired up my front speaker to run active.

 

I chosen Cathode Lamp becos it looks much brighter than neon tube. Neon Tube run on 12 V DC. However this Cathode Tube run on a 700V AC which comes with a transformer to step up the 12V DC from the car supply to 650V, so result is brighter.

 

This is the one I bought. there is 3 mode, one is always on, one is sound sensitive with adjustment, one is off. Sound sensitive means it will blink when ever the dB exceed the level i adjusted. So when I on my ICE, the light will blink with the music.

 

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The specs of the Cathode Lamp, see 700V AC . Another good point is its only 3W power, so I can safely on it for very long time while I diy my sound proof at night without fear my battery flat. In fact I on it for 13 hours...without starting my engine. Battery still ok.

 

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This is inside the package.

 

A transformer to transform 12VDC to 700VAC, a sound sensitivity module which can output to 2 cathode tube. If I want to change color of the tube, it can be done very cheap, each cathode tube only cost $9.90.

 

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This is the control, with sound sensitivity, on, off option and a sound sensitivity control switch.

 

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I tap the power from the hidden cigar lighter socket which hides inside the center console was found during my Cable Hunter Project Part 3.

 

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After I tap the power, I connect a fuse to the 12V DC power line, then to the transformer of the cathode lamp.

 

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Then the sound sensitivity module and the cathode lamp. test it works, then I find place to mount.

 

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Hide the wires along the center console under the air con panel and the sound sensitivity box at the leg side air con vent, and the transformer cum switch control under the glove box on the air con filter box. All using double sided tape.

 

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Then used cable tie to secure the cathode Lamp tube under the glove box.

 

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This is the result when on, for left front light.

 

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This is the final result after glove box is placed back.

 

Then proceed to front right side.

 

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Find a place to cable tie the cathode lamp, under the steer wheel panel.

 

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Test that it works...

 

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Final result of front right side.

 

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Overall result of the front. The rear has not been added yet, will soon buy a few more sets to add in the rear seats.

 

[Kwongwing]

Aiyoh! Looks pretty eerie .....

Anyway, really admire you so hardworking, sweat, etc. to DIY.

I shift my woofer box to access amp to tune gain + x-over, also lazy liao

 

BTW, do make sure that the power supplying the lamps is isolated from that supplying the sound equipment. Also do make sure that the lamp is not touching anything flammable or that cannot withstand high heat. I am quite sure the lamp does heat up a bit

 

Cheerio

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Yah...I agree pretty errie. Haha...but I like it.

 

Sometime u just need some determination to make the first step to get things going, like driving to a multistorey carpark is a good step, however make sure the stuffs and tools are all ready, then u should be unknowingly doing the diy. After every diy session, I feel so happy and satisfied although shaq. No regrets. Imagine I go let ICE shop do...sure charge me a lot, plus DIY enable me to understand my car more, I am getting to know my car more and more after each session.

 

Yah...I use power supply from my 2nd hidden cigar lighter extension connector and amazingly my cathode lamp doesnt heat up much, its still abt human skin temperature after 13 hours of diy on and off, good thing is it doesnt take up much power also, can on it without starting engine.

[Darkness]

nice i like....

 

OT a bit....bro i realise that u are selling the rodex voltmeter...out of curiosity how does such a device connect up huh? To the ecu or to the battery? If ecu then must cut any wires?

 

Thanks