Connecting Cathodes to Fuse - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Sean89 · 03-10-2009, 06:18 PM

Hey, I am planning on doing the add a circuit method to power my cold cathodes. I had a couple of questions before I attempted to do this.

1) What is a good fuse to connect to?

2) I am planning on two sets. One set for driver side and one set for passenger side. Can I connect the two sets into one add a circuit?

3) If I can connect them into one add a circuit do I have to use a 10 amp fuse or a 5 amp fuse? Each set takes 5 amps. Im thinking 10 amps but I want to confirm.

4) Im planning on buying the CCFLs from here: http://www.coolerguys.com/840556011057.html Is that a good brand/price?

5) On the add a circuit does the factory fuse go on the side closest to the metal pins or the other slot?

Thanks so much!

catric69 · 03-10-2009, 09:00 PM

I can't comment on those guys, but I did buy mine from Petra's Tech shop. Very well packaged and fast shipping. Plus, the owner personally sent me a thank you card just for the one item I bought.

http://www.petrastechshop.com/12duccki.html

***bandit*** · 03-10-2009, 09:58 PM

Avoid Logisys cathodes. I can lightly tap it and the inside filament or "bulb" would rattle.

oznium.com. Its $10 plus shipping and is a whole lot better. One of my logisys started to dim after only 2 months of use in my trunk. I've had my oznium for 4+ months and not a problem. If ordering from oznium, choose first class. If you order 2 or more, it would automatically be shipped via priority due to the weight. So you can save a buck or two from shipping.

Sean89 · 03-10-2009, 10:16 PM

Ill take your advice and go ahead and order from oznium.com. About double the price but worth it if they last. I am also thinking about putting a rocker switch for it. Anyone know a good spot to put it? I only saw 1 switch slot on the dash. Are there more?

EDIT: Just purchased 2. I have spent about 40 dollars for this mod so far. This is getting pricey fast. Thought it would be 20-25 mod :S

icqboy51 · 03-10-2009, 11:08 PM

do not buy Logisys CCFL!!! crap quality.

others have said Oznium.com ones are better. but do check their shipping. shipping can get expensive if you buy 2+ kits. play around with the number of items and shipping cost.

i found that buying 1 kit at a time is cheaper than buy 2 at a time.
1 kit at a time shipping is like $ 5.95, then when i choose to buy 2 kits together shipping jumps to $ 31.95!

Sean89 · 03-11-2009, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icqboy51

do not buy Logisys CCFL!!! crap quality.

others have said Oznium.com ones are better. but do check their shipping. shipping can get expensive if you buy 2+ kits. play around with the number of items and shipping cost.

i found that buying 1 kit at a time is cheaper than buy 2 at a time.
1 kit at a time shipping is like $ 5.95, then when i choose to buy 2 kits together shipping jumps to $ 31.95!

I bought it from oznium. The first class shipping was 4 something. Priority was 7 something. I remember the difference was $3.51 according to their website. I hope the trick that dcemureviews comes into play. 7-10 days is too long

.

Thanks for the inputs everyone, does anyone know about the other questions I had?

***bandit*** · 03-11-2009, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icqboy51

do not buy Logisys CCFL!!! crap quality.

others have said Oznium.com ones are better. but do check their shipping. shipping can get expensive if you buy 2+ kits. play around with the number of items and shipping cost.

i found that buying 1 kit at a time is cheaper than buy 2 at a time.
1 kit at a time shipping is like $ 5.95, then when i choose to buy 2 kits together shipping jumps to $ 31.95!

Wrong about shipping. There were times where I bought 1 or 5 at one time and the shipping was the same no matter how many you buy. The cheapest shipping is $4.20 regardless of quantity. Whats stupid is that the Priority mail costs more for 1 than it does for 5. It should be the other way around in price unless that is their business tactic.

Even ordering a ICELED UFO underbody light that costs $930, has only $4.20 shipping via UPS

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean89

I bought it from oznium. The first class shipping was 4 something. Priority was 7 something. I remember the difference was $3.51 according to their website. I hope the trick that dcemureviews comes into play. 7-10 days is too long

.

Thanks for the inputs everyone, does anyone know about the other questions I had?

They ship in a long cardboard box. If the weight of package is over 1lbs, the post office will automatically bump the package to 2-3 day Priority. Even if shipped first class, its pretty quick. 7-10 days is just an estimate. More like 5 business days (weekdays).

icqboy51 · 03-11-2009, 12:33 PM

haha my bad, forgot to mention i was comparing shipping up North.

cause if i had 1 kit + 1 tube have the option of low cost USPS first class $ 5.95 shipping

then if buying 2 kits must use USPS priority mail $ 31.95 shipping

***bandit*** · 03-11-2009, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icqboy51

haha my bad, forgot to mention i was comparing shipping up North.

cause if i had 1 kit + 1 tube have the option of low cost USPS first class $ 5.95 shipping

then if buying 2 kits must use USPS priority mail $ 31.95 shipping

Ah, I see it. Your location on your profile says North America when you were referring to Canada. But yes, the shipping to Canada is a bit outrageous. Shipping to Canada via UPS is only a little over $20. But yes, what you originally stated about ordering 1 at a time is cheaper than ordering multiple...IF you're in Canada.

workerant · 03-11-2009, 12:48 PM

Yep, car vibrate a lot.. so best to use things that are solid stage like LED.

Y not run your own wire from the battery? If U still want to play with the fuse, try it and if it burn trash it and put in the next higher.

If U really want to get technical choosing the fuse, use the DMM. measure the OEM setup and measure how much Amp your cathodes draw and..... do the math.

Sean89 · 03-11-2009, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TTM77

Yep, car vibrate a lot.. so best to use things that are solid stage like LED.

Y not run your own wire from the battery? If U still want to play with the fuse, try it and if it burn trash it and put in the next higher.

If U really want to get technical choosing the fuse, use the DMM. measure the OEM setup and measure how much Amp your cathodes draw and..... do the math.

My cathodes will draw 5 amp each. I was thinking of putting it into the cig lighter one. Does it matter how many amps is on the factory fuse? I thought that didnt matter since I have 2 fuses. One for the factory and one for my cathodes.

Do you know if I will need a 10 amp fuse or a 5 amp fuse? I believe I need a 10 amp but I want to make sure.

Sean89 · 03-11-2009, 09:22 PM

Ah man none knows about my questions? I guess they are better suited for an electrical forum but I thought someone might have more insight about it considering I was told by multiple people on here to go to the fuse box for power :S

workerant · 03-15-2009, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean89

Ah man none knows about my questions? I guess they are better suited for an electrical forum but I thought someone might have more insight about it considering I was told by multiple people on here to go to the fuse box for power :S

5amp is a lot. And it's not just the fuse, its the cable too if it can handle that much power without burning up.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...5162948AA8e3rK

So the formula is I = P/E

So 5amp * 12v = 60watt (each)

I don't think all the small cables in the car are made to handle 120Watt.