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Undercar Neon


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unclephil 
Member - Posts: 6
Member spacespace
Joined: May 23, 2003
Posted: April 16, 2005 at 6:57 AM / IP Logged  

Hi, I just bought a redline/Quest undercar neon kit.  I was just wondering where to install the transfo ... In the installation guide, it says to put it on a flat metalic surface that is near the battery.  It also says the that area needs to be dry, well ventilated and away from the motor.

Where do I put it ?!?  Do they mean somewhere in the engine bay (easy access, near the battery and well ventilated), or in the car, where it is "dry" and away from the motor ?  BTW, output voltage is 10 000 V, 20 mA.

Here are some pics of the transfo.

Undercar Neon -- posted image.

Undercar Neon -- posted image.

Undercar Neon -- posted image.

Please, some advice would be appreciated.  I want to do this right !

Phil

oonikfraleyoo 
Gold - Posts: 1,069
Gold spaceThis member has made a donation to the12volt.com. Click here for more info.spacespace
Joined: January 04, 2005
Location: United States
Posted: April 16, 2005 at 9:18 AM / IP Logged  
If is pretty water tight, put it under the hood, as high up as you can get it. Or you can put it under the dash, that might be the best bet.
Nik
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overworked2 
Copper - Posts: 132
Copper spacespace
Joined: March 10, 2005
Location: United States
Posted: April 16, 2005 at 7:36 PM / IP Logged  
Looking at the base of it and the manual saying it needs a flat mettalic surface, I would almost suggest that it needs to earth it self out to the body of the car. It wont do that via a painted surface. anyone got any suggestions?
Check all advice given with a meter
unclephil 
Member - Posts: 6
Member spacespace
Joined: May 23, 2003
Posted: April 16, 2005 at 9:55 PM / IP Logged  

I tested them today.  I dont think that the metalic base is for grounding because there is a ground wire to connect to the transfo.  Plus the secondary current (AC) does not require a ground ... I'm pretty sure.  I believe the metalic base is for heat sinking purpose.

There is "space" where the wires go in the transfo ... there is no rubber "gromit".  I cant open it because its rivetted, not screwed ... what to think ? Is it water safe ?!

Thanks for any help.

Phil

drvnbysound 
Silver - Posts: 289
Silver spacespace
Joined: May 06, 2002
Location: United States
Posted: April 17, 2005 at 2:40 AM / IP Logged  
I have not installed that brand of underbody neon kit personally. The StreetGlow Gold Series transformer is similar, however it doesnt have a ground wire, and the metal base is used for that.
I am unsure why the transformer you have has a metal base if its not for a ground. The metalic base wouldnt be for heat sinking purposes. That metal would heat up to become a lot hotter than a plastic backing would. And if mounted to another metal surface, everything around it would heat up as well. Obviously the internals cant get too imensely hot or the top cover of the transformer wouldnt be plastic because it would melt if it was able to get that hot.
unclephil 
Member - Posts: 6
Member spacespace
Joined: May 23, 2003
Posted: April 17, 2005 at 1:22 PM / IP Logged  

drvnbysound wrote:
I have not installed that brand of underbody neon kit personally. The StreetGlow Gold Series transformer is similar, however it doesnt have a ground wire, and the metal base is used for that.
I am unsure why the transformer you have has a metal base if its not for a ground. The metalic base wouldnt be for heat sinking purposes. That metal would heat up to become a lot hotter than a plastic backing would. And if mounted to another metal surface, everything around it would heat up as well. Obviously the internals cant get too imensely hot or the top cover of the transformer wouldnt be plastic because it would melt if it was able to get that hot.

I'm not concerned about the base of the transfo as I am about the water infiltrations .  Where did you install the streetglow gold one ? In the engine compt ?

thanks

Phil

unclephil 
Member - Posts: 6
Member spacespace
Joined: May 23, 2003
Posted: April 18, 2005 at 9:25 PM / IP Logged  

I finally installed my neon transfo in the engine bay : https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=54018&PN=1&tpn=1 I sealed all the holes and put it way up in the engine compartment.  So I hook all the wires up, and then test the neons ... THEY DONT LIGHT UP EVENLY !!!

I wired them in series, as per the installation drawing, but the 2 neons closest to the transfo light up verry good (side and front) and the two furthest (other side and rear) light up like 1/3 as much ????!!!!  Did I do something wrong ? I guess its normal that there isnt as much curent to each tube, but is there a way to fix this ?!  Is there something wrong with my system ? I guess its not possible to connect them in parallel ... the voltage wont be enought ?!?!  Also the car wasent running, but I guess that 20 mA doesnt matter running on the battery ?! Or am-I getting a lower inlet voltage (not 12 volt) and that is what is causing the uneven lighting ... ?

Thanks

Phil

nismo78 
Member - Posts: 15
Member spacespace
Joined: May 02, 2005
Posted: May 07, 2005 at 9:37 AM / IP Logged  
How do you have each neon connected to each other?, don't use butt-connectors,  Strip back the wire about 1-1.5 in. twist them good, solder, heat-shrink, and wrap the heck out of them with electrical tape, that's how i've done both of my sets, and all four lights up just as bright.
draggindakota 
Member - Posts: 4
Member spacespace
Joined: October 19, 2003
Location: United States
Posted: May 10, 2005 at 10:55 AM / IP Logged  

What brand are they? You said you had a transformer, so it sounds like a higher end set. They sould be hooked up in line (end to end) Ive had 2 sets of streetglow neons and had no problems so far with uneven lighting. Make sure your transformer is properly grounded. They burn out very easy.

ss-installer 
Silver - Posts: 444
Silver spacespace
Joined: February 27, 2005
Location: United States
Posted: May 10, 2005 at 7:24 PM / IP Logged  
i agree with nismo. make sure the connections are good and tight and then wrap them up. also zip tie them so they dont get in the path of any moving parts.
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