Undercar Neon
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Lights, Neon, LEDs, HIDs
Forum Discription: Under Car Lighting, Strobe Lights, Fog Lights, Headlights, HIDs, DRL, Tail Lights, Brake Lights, Dashboard Lights, WigWag, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=54018
Printed Date: April 29, 2024 at 6:59 AM
Topic: Undercar Neon
Posted By: unclephil
Subject: Undercar Neon
Date Posted: April 16, 2005 at 6:57 AM
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. 
Please, some advice would be appreciated. I want to do this right ! Phil
Replies:
Posted By: oonikfraleyoo
Date Posted: April 16, 2005 at 9:18 AM
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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Posted By: overworked2
Date Posted: April 16, 2005 at 7:36 PM
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?
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Posted By: unclephil
Date Posted: April 16, 2005 at 9:55 PM
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
Posted By: drvnbysound
Date Posted: April 17, 2005 at 2:40 AM
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.
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Posted By: unclephil
Date Posted: April 17, 2005 at 1:22 PM
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
Posted By: unclephil
Date Posted: April 18, 2005 at 9:25 PM
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
Posted By: nismo78
Date Posted: May 07, 2005 at 9:37 AM
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.
Posted By: draggindakota
Date Posted: May 10, 2005 at 10:55 AM
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. -------------
Posted By: ss-installer
Date Posted: May 10, 2005 at 7:24 PM
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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Posted By: jrodskreet
Date Posted: May 27, 2005 at 9:01 PM
i've installed this brand once and i put my transformer under my front seat and a metal connection isnt needed. its just for a better hold. but as far as the lighting problem, just wire like the instructions say and you'll be fine, im not sure why iits doing that. try swapping wiring sides, or maybe try series.
Posted By: nava94
Date Posted: May 27, 2005 at 9:17 PM
if you wired them as the instructions said then check the connections, solder the wires and make sure you use flex tube on the wires to shield them from the heat,water, etc.
Posted By: 22tahoe
Date Posted: June 25, 2005 at 5:38 PM
I have a sort of different question for all. I have installed my redline fading kit, but all the lights do is glow constantly. In addition the little control box has no effect on whether the lights are on. As long as the transformer is connected to power, the lights are on. If that makes sense, some help would be appreciated.
Posted By: 89sunbird
Date Posted: June 26, 2005 at 12:22 AM
Dont mean to piggyback, but I got the APC set, and it has 8 plugs in the transformer (1 power/1 ground for each tube) and Im wondering if the set will still work if I take each tube's ground and just drill a mount and put the ground onto the chassis of the car??
Thanks.
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