Tried something new... Trunk lighting
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Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Colorado
Nice Work. 
I have cold cathode lights in my trunk too. I mounted them to the angled part of the side panels right under where the mat/cover rests and made some reflectors out of aluminum with vinyl on the back-side to blend in better. I tapped into the dome light for power, but still have a switch to turn them on/off because normal fluorescent ballasts don't like to be dimmed (they will be damaged). That way I only turn them on when I need them (but of course the dome light has to be on), but if I forget, the car's power saver feature will turn them off....unfortunately in that case, the "theater dimming" feature may damage the ballast. At least they were cheap.
I'll have to post pics later.
I have cold cathode lights in my trunk too. I mounted them to the angled part of the side panels right under where the mat/cover rests and made some reflectors out of aluminum with vinyl on the back-side to blend in better. I tapped into the dome light for power, but still have a switch to turn them on/off because normal fluorescent ballasts don't like to be dimmed (they will be damaged). That way I only turn them on when I need them (but of course the dome light has to be on), but if I forget, the car's power saver feature will turn them off....unfortunately in that case, the "theater dimming" feature may damage the ballast. At least they were cheap.
I'll have to post pics later.
Def post up some pics!! I want to do this, and have it tied into the dome, but also want to have a switch for it! I also want to "blend" it pretty well!
-Justin
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From: Tomball/Nacogdoches TX
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Launching!
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Augusta, GA
Brian hooking it to your dome light shouldnt be a problem. I know on my 98 Formula that the map lights & dome light automatically cut off after a certain time period like 10 to 15 mins if I remember correctly. I always thought the 98+ Camaros were the same?
Damn 10-15 minutes?? When I get outta my car at night mine go off after about 1 minute. I know at night when I get home they are off by the time I get from my car to my front door.
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From: Tomball/Nacogdoches TX
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From: Eastern MA
Originally Posted by Brian2006
I'm interested in how VIP installed his without being visible.
I'll post pics later... and another addition..
Copy & Paste Moderator
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Eastern MA
As requested, here is a pic of my setup:
I also have more pics and detail in this thread:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/appearance-detailing/952281-trunk-lights-box.html
I also have more pics and detail in this thread:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/appearance-detailing/952281-trunk-lights-box.html
Launching!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 207
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From: Augusta, GA
maybe I was over exaggerating about it being 10-15 mins.. just know every time I go to do some work in the car interior it seems like it takes a few mins for them to shut off.
On the dimming feature.. wouldnt the cathode just shut off because of power loss? the power is just cutting off on the dimmer feature so all it would be doing is just cutting the power to the Cathode too even tho the rest of the lights are just dimming due to the type of set up they are on...
On the dimming feature.. wouldnt the cathode just shut off because of power loss? the power is just cutting off on the dimmer feature so all it would be doing is just cutting the power to the Cathode too even tho the rest of the lights are just dimming due to the type of set up they are on...
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From: Colorado
^^you may have a point...when I changed out the Map/Dome with LED's, whenever the lights would shut off, it would do just that...shut off...no dimming feature...so maybe it might work with the cathodes?
Maybe VIP would like to chime in on this....
Maybe VIP would like to chime in on this....
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From: Colorado
So the switch would prob be the best bet! Not that much of a deal to take like 2 sec to flip the switch on and off! If the best thing is to wire it to a switch, then thats what I'm gonna do.....though I am going to have to use my trunk area more often