Attaching 12v in car lighting to power source?

[norbie]

Hello,

I'm thinking about getting these for my footwells:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-x-12-NEON-KITS- ... dZViewItem

I don't really want the cigarate lighter adaptor to go with it as they get in the way, how can I attach it to a 12v power source like it says?
I mean practically in the Lanos, where can I do this, and is it hard?
I can get behind the stereo easily if it could be put in there?

And if it didnt come with a switch, how easy would it be to attach a switch to the circuit, if I bought a cheap one?

[cpd]

Easy.

Find a spare globe holder behind the dash if there is one. If not, ahh, splice it off something else.

As for the switch... join up the negatives on both the socket/wire, and then stick the positives to a switch as above. You'll soon find out which is on and off.

[TheGreatAndPowerfulOz]

Those are the same lights I bought for one of my computer cases! LOL

[norbie]

I also bought a 12v cold cathode x2 white kit as well as they are great replacements for a boot light!

[norbie]

I've wired these up today straight into the back of my stereo.

I have a connection block there and have screwed the two red wires in together and the two black wires together, then connected it to the cars black and red ones.

All works well, except for when I'm listening to music (I think it is just radio) the sound crackles a little when the neon wires move around behind the stereo as they are not stapled down.
I guess that it is somehow interfering with the radio signal, it is fine when I listen to music off of a CD (I think), but I need to do some more tests to be sure on that.

Does anyone have any ideas?

[JohnnyC]

Yeah... Do you have fog lights? If not, there is a 12v power wire on the left side under your dash. It should have a connector on the end of the wire that isn't connected to anything. You could take the wires off your radio since you're probably overloading that line anyway and switch them to the fog light connection.

My guess is that part of the feedback you're getting through your stereo is symptomatic of overloading the stereo's power source.

Not 100% sure that is what is causing the feedback... but it's what makes sense in my head.

[norbie]

I am not sure if I do - Do you have a photo of one with fog lights and one without to compare?

I have a button on my dash for "fog lights" but I'm not sure lol.

Also when you say about this spare wire would it be on the drivers side under the wheel or on the passenger side?
I'm in the UK so car is other way round to you

[JohnnyC]

Well... if you have a button for fog lights (they're the smaller lights on the lower part of your bumper) you probably have fog lights... hehe but if you don't use them you could always disable them or use their power source.

The plug itself would be under the dash on your driver's side. There is a plastic panel along the floorboards behind where your fuse box is. The cord is usually tucked back in there. The cord is always there regardless of if you have the fog lights or not. I think it was just part of the stock wiring system and then they added from there to put the fog lights in the cars that got that option.

Best way I can think of to find it is to open your driver's side door and kneel down on the ground. Then lean you head in under the dash and look along the inside there. You should spot the area I'm talking about. If you find a red wire with a connector on it (kinda squareish connector with foam padding around it), that's the one you're looking for. I ended up using that particular wire to power my tach.

[daewoomofo]

that wire is constant power , you only need key on power for your tach or you could killl your battery