#1697963 - 08/25/09 07:25 PM
Neons
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BLed31
SD Newbie
Registered: 05/16/09
Posts: 13
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So i just got a new truck and the neons on it were unhooked. By unhooked i mean the wire had torn from what looks like a small fuse that is part of the wire(If that makes any sense). I tried patching with a small piece of wire and electrical tape to give slack to prevent it again. Well it works but with two problems:
1. The tape overheats and melts from the current flowing through causing a possible fire hazard.
2. The neon lights underneath would shut off when i tried to turn on the neon over the lisence plate.
There are seven bulbs on entire truck, two inside, four outside, and one above the plate.
Help please?
Edited by BLed31 (08/25/09 07:26 PM)
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#1698196 - 08/26/09 10:54 AM
Re: Neons
[Re: BLed31]
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keep_hope_alive
in another life, i'm a serial killer
SD I Power Bombed the Undertaker
Registered: 04/24/07
Posts: 13370
Loc: Quad Cities, IL
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rewire all of the neons. remove any existing wiring for them - back to their source. provide a new 10 AWG wire from the battery, controlled with a 30A relay (or two wires and two relays depending on the current draw from the neons or if you want control in groups). individually fuse each neon wire, sized for the current draw of each neon) - that way you can easily identify problems later.
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#1698340 - 08/26/09 03:11 PM
Re: Neons
[Re: keep_hope_alive]
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BLed31
SD Newbie
Registered: 05/16/09
Posts: 13
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I think i possibly need another type of wire because i believe using the 10 AWG isn't sufficeint. The wire with the kit says its does 1500 Volts output.
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#1698368 - 08/26/09 04:07 PM
Re: Neons
[Re: BLed31]
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keep_hope_alive
in another life, i'm a serial killer
SD I Power Bombed the Undertaker
Registered: 04/24/07
Posts: 13370
Loc: Quad Cities, IL
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yes, 1500V output from the transformer to the neon. that high of voltage has very low current. what you need is a better connection, with a lot of insulation so it can't arc and melt. just wrapping wire and electrical tape is not sufficient.
if i had to make a splice or repair a wire i would start by getting 2-3 layers of heat shrink ready, soldering the wire together, heat shrink each layer, then put split loom or something over the splice to futher distance it from anything else.
note that you need to put the heat shrink sections over the wire before you solder the wires.
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#1698511 - 08/27/09 06:24 AM
Re: Neons
[Re: keep_hope_alive]
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BillK1002
SD Ralph Wiggum
Registered: 03/29/09
Posts: 78
Loc: Baltimore
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WOW your playing with high voltage with electrical tape, your about to burn your car to the ground. Most off the shelf wire is rated at best for 600v. Low voltage wire has one layer of insulation, high voltage wire has multiple layers for a reason.
Go to an electrical supply house, ask to speak to the master electrician, have the specks for the transformer with you and let him show you what wire you need to safely hook the transformer again. Do it right the first time with the proper wire, relay, fuse and loom and be done with it.
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#1698672 - 08/27/09 11:31 AM
Re: Neons
[Re: BillK1002]
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keep_hope_alive
in another life, i'm a serial killer
SD I Power Bombed the Undertaker
Registered: 04/24/07
Posts: 13370
Loc: Quad Cities, IL
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^agreed. thanks for clarifying.
my initial post was in regards to the 12V side of the transformers. rewiring the neons is still a good idea to ensure you aren't overloading any 12V wiring.
my second post is assuming you aren't replacing the wires that came with the neons, just patching a break. the heat shrink needs to be rated for the voltage you are using it with.
honestly, i would just pitch the neon and get a new one without damaged wiring.
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#1698940 - 08/27/09 05:26 PM
Re: Neons
[Re: keep_hope_alive]
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TtownCLS
**********
Team SoundDomain
Registered: 02/11/08
Posts: 1503
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http://www.oznium.com/
Ultra bright LED's in many different colors. They don't need the high voltage of Neon, and are made in weather resistant versions. The life and current draw of an LED is far superior to Neon too.
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#1698956 - 08/27/09 05:59 PM
Re: Neons
[Re: TtownCLS]
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keep_hope_alive
in another life, i'm a serial killer
SD I Power Bombed the Undertaker
Registered: 04/24/07
Posts: 13370
Loc: Quad Cities, IL
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werd. LED >> Neon
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