DIY Cathode Lighting: License Plate, Dome Lamp, Trunk lighting.

[Dtownz Thrillah]

Re: DIY Cathode Lighting: License Plate, Dome Lamp, Trunk lighting... **56k=certain d

I don't know how they compare to the LED's, but the cathodes are quoted by the manufacturer @ 5 milliamps, so they also use a very small amount of power. I feel that the cathodes are a great choice for the license plate and trunk, to achieve an even lighting. For the dome lamp however, it's just a cost saving method. I added two more 4" cathodes to my dome lamp, it's now brighter then ever. If there was a built in reflector in the dome lamp the gains would be better, but making one would be quite a chore.

Hrmmmm.

I have some like chrome looking tape, maybe you can go to the store and look for some tape like that and take off your dome housing and cover the inside with that chrome tape

 

[Zero-Defect]

Re: DIY Cathode Lighting: License Plate, Dome Lamp, Trunk lighting... **56k=certain d

Or he could go to walmart and pic up one of those replacement cut and stick mirrors

 

[Dtownz Thrillah]

Re: DIY Cathode Lighting: License Plate, Dome Lamp, Trunk lighting... **56k=certain d

Or he could go to walmart and pic up one of those replacement cut and stick mirrors

cosign

 

[matty2013]

Re: DIY Cathode Lighting: License Plate, Dome Lamp, Trunk lighting... **56k=certain d

Last thing you should add to complete the trunk, maybe two 4" CCFL's on the trunk door, so you'd have light as far as the ground behind the car in case your ever loading stuff in the dark, when you flip the trunk up.

 

[vorin]

Re: DIY Cathode Lighting: License Plate, Dome Lamp, Trunk lighting... **56k=certain d

great post!
i just did my dome, but i added some aluminum foil tape and removed the blue box - it wouldn't fit in my moonroof-less car. i love the results! my departure from halogens in my car is almost complete.

 

[kevinbo03]

Re: DIY Cathode Lighting: License Plate, Dome Lamp, Trunk lighting... **56k=certain d

Wow! Nice results! May I have your permission to include your pictures (with credit of course) in the guide?

Also, thank you for noting that the ballast does not fit in moonroof-less 6ga's. I was neither aware of nor able to test the problem.

I'm going to add some foil tape or a cut-able mirror as mentioned above, Yours is definitely brighter then mine with your addition!

Last thing you should add to complete the trunk, maybe two 4" CCFL's on the trunk door, so you'd have light as far as the ground behind the car in case your ever loading stuff in the dark, when you flip the trunk up.

That's a great idea! I may give that a shot when I have more cathode kits, Which will be very soon.

 

[Dtownz Thrillah]

Re: DIY Cathode Lighting: License Plate, Dome Lamp, Trunk lighting... **56k=certain d

That's it, im getting some 4 inch cathodes for my interior right now.

more cathodes, here I come!

 

[vorin]

Re: DIY Cathode Lighting: License Plate, Dome Lamp, Trunk lighting... **56k=certain d

Wow! Nice results! May I have your permission to include your pictures (with credit of course) in the guide?

sure!
if you want more of my pictures (i took plenty,) just request them from me.

for anyone wanting to add foil tape:
since the foil is conductive, you must be careful not to let it contact the fine wire that runs outside the glass element.
I've seen clear electrician's tape for sale, and that might be one way to easily foil the entire dome (minus the halogen bulb holder) without having to stress too much about shorting out the lamps

 

[kevinbo03]

Re: DIY Cathode Lighting: License Plate, Dome Lamp, Trunk lighting... **56k=certain d

You should not have to worry about the foil touching the wire as long as the foil is not grounded.

Will add pics to guide now.

 

[vorin]

Re: DIY Cathode Lighting: License Plate, Dome Lamp, Trunk lighting... **56k=certain d

well, it would be really easy for the foil to be grounded, since the grounds run through the bolts that hold the light in place. I actually got some sparking action as i was screwing them in. I think it was due to the built-up static electricity of the tape being pulled from its backing.

it was a fun mini light show