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[Mark Ducati]

Sorry to be so naive,

But I need clear directions with pics for a proper install to one of the AUX switches...

When you buy this EL Tape, as long as you, I assume attach it to the "lead end", the excess can be cut off, right?

What's the 3 way splitter for? One for each side, that's two.. is the 3rd split for grounding?

And as you said you needed some 12ga speaker wire to extend the driver's side over to the passenger side... underneath the hood, is there a place to connect it to one of the AUX switches? Or does the wiring need to go through the firewall to get inside the cab to one of the switches?

I want to do this mod over vinyl, but really need some help... could you take some pics of your install?

Thanks,
Mark

 

[Mark Ducati]

Okay... so this is what I buy:

2 pieces of electroluminescent panel with 12V inverter
$41.00

1.4M electroluminescent tape with lead and connector
$12.00

Why do I need to buy more tape when the $41 first item comes with two pieces of 12" tape? Is the extra tape just for future replacement when it fades?

3-way splitter for EL products
$3.50

Why do you need the 3 way splitter... what's wrong with the two way splitter that comes with the inverter in the first kit for $41?

THEN,

You mentioned buying these:

These are 6" pieces of EL Tape, with leads for $15 bucks... but only available in white/Blue... what exactly is your "Folder Trick" to get it red? Are you using that transparent tape from an auto parts store that people some times put over their broken tail lights?

So I'm thinking that if you were doing this all over from the start... maybe just buy the:

$15 replacement strips in white
$3.50 3 way splitter
$8.00 12V inverter
Quick Connects (still couldn't find them on their sight)
18ga speaker wire from Radio Shack cheap

I'm thinking, this mod could be done for less than $50 bucks easy...

But I need more clarification on how you wired this to the Aux Switches... sorry for being clueless, I need help.

Specifically... 1) why do you need a 3 way splitter instead of 2 way 2) how do you wire this to an AUX switch (under hood or in cab), 3) What's the folder trick about using the inexpensive 6" white strips to get them red, 4) I know you said something about covering the excess with black electrician's tape... but on the 6" piece, can you cut the opposite side to shorten it? Or will this short out the strip?

I'd appreciate any further clarity you may have to offer... I have NO mechanical skillz obviously.

 

[Raptor Retrofit]

Ill try to awnser all your questions. The website has changed a little so Ill will post new links.

This is what you want


Quantity 1, color red. this is 1 strip and a inverter - http://glowhut.com/electroluminescent-panelel-tapeback-light-with-12v-invert12.html

1 more red strip - http://glowhut.com/12-x-125-inch-el-paneltapebacklight-with-lead-wire-and-conn12125.html

1, 3 way splitter, it can power 3 strips, you only will use two. - http://glowhut.com/3way-splitter-for-el-product3.html

accessories connector - http://glowhut.com/accessories-for-el-wireel-stripel-tapeel-panel.html


The strips are not meant for exterior use so they will eventually fade and grow mold in the exposed areas. If you start with the end of the strip and cover the rest with black tape you can actually get 3 usable sections from one strip, when you cut away the used section make sure to seal it back up with a few layers of super glue. I've cut one 4" section off -



The red el strip is actually more orange then red so thats why I used the folder trick, you can use the brake light repair kit, Ive heard its uv resistant and wont fade, Ill try it next time.

The 3 way splitter will power 3 strips but since you need 2 strips the 3rd is left unconnected -



Now for extending to the drivers side. this is where you use the accessories connector. The passenger side strip will connect directly to the splitter and not need to be extended. Theres a male and female connector both with striped ends(look at the link, its the wires that make the circle in the smiley face), you use the 18 gauge wire and connect to both stripped ends making it around 4' long. heres the extended wire and the channel I hid it in.-





For the inverter, you do not need to run anything through the firewall. thats already done for you with the pass through wires. You will need to connect the pass through wires (behind the glove box) to the hot wire from aux switch 4. Ironman has a great video on how to do this, Ill look for the thread. heres a pic of the inverter connected to the pass through wire and grounded.



You can drill a hole and mount it somewhere but I just tucked it in next to the battery.




Hope that clarifies things a little, if you still have questions let me know.


Heres Iron's pass through video, this is more a pain in the ass then hooking up the el strips. YouTube - PASS THROUGH WIRES

 

[Mark Ducati]

Thanks dude! Those were awesome instructions!

Your single post on this SHOULD be a sticky on a DIY Forum!

 

[chockada]

Very cool, I just wonder if it is legal here in Illinois also. I don't like the automatic pullovers

 

[Raptor Retrofit]

Very cool, I just wonder if it is legal here in Illinois also. I don't like the automatic pullovers

Anything other then amber on the sides is probably illegal, thats why I hooked up to aux 4 and not the marker lights.

 

[6isntenough]

Where did u mount the box?

 

[Raptor Retrofit]

Where did u mount the box?

I just tucked it in next to the battery, hasn't moved since.

 

[Phyguy]

I just tucked it in next to the battery, hasn't moved since.

LOL I did the same...after about 10 minutes of going, "Hmmm...where am I going to put this sucker..."

 

[RaptorScrew]

Please help this NOVICE!!!

When watching the video on the Upfitter Switches - What is he referring to Soldering things together?

If I'm understanding correctly, You have to add the extra wires to bring them out the firewall?

I'm loving this idea but VERY nervous about setting it all up. I want to hook up to the AUX switch but that's where the majority of the hesitation comes in...