neon tube wiring help

[sickem]

i have a 10inch neon tube under drivers dash that requires a 12 volt source. can i splice the power into the cigar lighters power and splice the ground into the cigar lighters ground

[spikedsteel]

Use a tap you can get them at radio shack or whatever ya got in the states for electrical stuff you can just ground it to something metal in the car.

[echoicse]

No, I wouldn't splice into the cig. lighter-if I'm correct the fuse is 15(+) amperage-it would ruin your neon tube. Your best and easiest method is go to a auto store (AutoZone, AdvancedAuto,etc.) and get a "LITTELFUSE-ATO ADD-A-CIRCUIT". This type of circuit you use the fuse box-once you see it you'll be able to figure it out. I use these all the time! And you could use the fuse that is for your light switch and lower the fuse amp. to your neon tube,and if needed you can hook up a switch from the positive feed. The ground wire- screw into a any ground on the dash.

[ancona46]

the cig lighter is fine im running 8 cold cathodes off it and 1 set of strobes

[echoicse]

Originally posted by ancona46
the cig lighter is fine im running 8 cold cathodes off it and 1 set of strobes

I know what your saying here...you took the cig. positive wire and used multiple fuses or did you tie the pos. wire into a new juntion box then into your strobes,etc.?

[tenspeed]

I used the cigarette lighter power for all my interior lights. I put a switch under the HVAC controls and used disconnects on the wires so I could remove the radio trim. I have 4 CCFL's and 4 neons.

It has 20 amp fuse so if anything shorts out, it blows the fuse. It won't ruin the lights.

[GaSe05]

i have four neons/ light up pedals and light up vents my postive comes the battery with a inline fuse holder and my ground is under the dash my switchs are under my radio. i dont like to use the cigar lighter plug cus it blows fuses alot. its easyer to make your own common postive and ground.

[ancona46]

i just tapped into the +wire for the cig lighter with a wire tap and i just use the main fuse from that circuit to protect my lights..then i grounded my stuff to a nut in the fuse box....i dont use the cig lighter cause i dont smoke so it doesnt matter

[Pte Socks]

I use the mini add a circuit and I have all 4 or my neons running to two of them with 10 A fuses. Works fine for me and have been doing so for years now.

[sickem]

got the add a circut and when i went to install it it was too big. sooo i just ended up asking this electrician that happened to be at my house and he said just 2 shove the power wire into one end of a fuse and it worked switch and all ............bad?

[ancona46]

it will work fine its just not that great of a connection and u run a risk of melting some plastic

[echoicse]

Originally posted by sickem
got the add a circut and when i went to install it it was too big. sooo i just ended up asking this electrician that happened to be at my house and he said just 2 shove the power wire into one end of a fuse and it worked switch and all ............bad?

sickem, their is two (2) types of ATO ADD-A-CIRCUIT(s). Each one is specifically made for the two types of oem fuses in your fuse box. The fuses are the flat type that one is small and the other is larger.The part # for the ato add-a-circuit,larger fuse is FHAA200BP/OFHA0200ZP. I don't have the part # for the smaller ato add-a-circuit. I believe you bought the wrong one,and or the auto store you went to is out of the correct one you need!

[sickem]

ok well i dont want to leave it connected like that forever ill go back and get the right one