what to use as power source?

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=92935
Printed Date: May 02, 2024 at 7:38 PM

Topic: what to use as power source?

Posted By: firelizard
Subject: what to use as power source?
Date Posted: April 14, 2007 at 1:13 PM

I've got a small pile of lighting projects for my 98 Protege, but I don't know what to use as power source.

I tried replacing my trunk light with cold cathodes but now the fuse blows every time the trunk is opened (I gave up and replaced the bulb, I don't know why it still does it).
The cathodes draw 5mA supposedly (that's what the box says) so I can't figure out why it would blow the fuse...

How should I power them?

I'm thinking I should build a fuse panel just for my additional accessories, run from the battery, but I don't know what kind of fuse to use for the cathodes (amperage).

Replies:

Posted By: jayem7516
Date Posted: April 15, 2007 at 9:49 AM

The cold cathodes I've used are rated at 3 watts, which means the current draw will be 250mA. You may also want to put in a cheap voltage regulator as a friend of mine has somehow managed to melt the inverter that came with the CCFL.

Something like this soldered to a stripboard will do:
Voltage Regulator

Make sure you put the fuse as close to the battery as possible.

Posted By: firelizard
Date Posted: April 22, 2007 at 1:44 PM

Okay, thanks, but what rating of fuse should I use?

And how can I make sure I don't blow the fuse?