neon lights

[AbnTgr01]

Looking at installing neon lights under my Cart

looking at ones from amazon, but I have a few questions

Looking at the 50/50 RGb Lights. do you guys just run the whole strip around the underneath of cart? or do you cut and run down the sides? if you do cut how do you connect the led strips?

Also I assume I need a voltage reducer? and the ones on amazon look like they have a house plug on them, but says 12v


Thanks

[Swan]

a link to the lights would help , safe to assume your talking LED and not neon

[AbnTgr01]

Amazon.com: SUPERNIGHT (TM) 16.4ft 5M Waterproof Flexible 300leds Color Changing RGB SMD5050 LED Light Strip Kit RGB 5M +24Key Remote+12V Power Supply: Home Improvement

Amazon.com: SUPERNIGHT (TM) 16.4ft 5M Waterproof Flexible 300leds Color Changing RGB SMD5050 LED Light Strip Kit RGB 5M +24Key Remote+12V Power Supply: Home Improvement

[wesleycox]

I use those exact lights for ground effects on my carts. There is enough length to follow the bottom of the frame rail all the way around the cart. Clean with acetone and start sticking it up at the driver side of the frame rail near the pedals and continue back around the back of the cart and up the passenger side. Use zip ties as needed to help the adhesion or it will fall off over time. You can cut the excess when you reach the front again. As you are running it check the back of the strip at any solder points you see. cover these spots with electrical tape to prevent a solder pad from contacting the frame as it could cause a short it the led circuit. If you want to cut the strip for more strategic light placement you will need to be handy with a soldering iron. I use Cat 5 Ethernet cable to jump between sections of led strip. solder the four pads to the cable and cover with hot glue then heat shrink for a lasting connection. you will need to extend the line from the led controller to the strip with Cat 5 or amazon has the 4 pin extension cables for purchase. as for 12 volt power you would cut the barrel connector from the power supply and apply 12 volts to it through a switch so you could turn the lights on and off without the remote. make sure the polarity is correct at the led controller or you will be buying a new one as it does not have polarity protection in it. A reducer would be recommended, these lights do not handle over volt very well. These lights are very versatile and can be used under the dash, in the cubby holes, around the inside of the top or inside the headlights for a nice accent.

[AbnTgr01]

thanks man for all the helpful info.


Those are the ones I am getting. I will be using cat 5 cable like you did.. Didn't even think about that. And I am Descent with soldering iron!!

guess I gotta take controller apart to make sure polarity is correct?

[wesleycox]

The barrel connector polarity may or may not be listed on the power supply. You could plug in the supply and meter the connector to find it. I buy the package that does not include the power supply or barrel connector, break open the controller and desolder the connector and add my own wires out. I think all the controllers I've seen have the ground on the outside wall of the connector and the positive inside. You don"t have to use the controller to power the leds on all the lights. You can power the strip with 12 volts to add lighting in the solid color of your choosing. Different ground combinations will allow for red, green, blue, white, magenta, yellow or cyan Often I will use the controller for the lights under the car and use the leftover strip as dash lighting in white or blue. As for the IR sensor on the controller i drill a small hole in an inconspicuous place in the dash and adhere it with a bit of silicone.

[AbnTgr01]

I may just buy basic blue lights.. Because that's the only color I am wanting for under.

Do away with controller and all other crap I don't need

[jjance]

I may just buy basic blue lights

Crimson red would look good. :)