Power source for interior neons

[Cartman]

My plan is to hook up 3 9" neons with plans to add 2-3 more later on.

For the power source what I want to do is hook into the aux power source on the passenger side of the centre console then run that into a switch and wire the neons from there. How much current can the aux power source take, I know the neons don't draw much (i think it would be alot less then hooking up a laptop computer to the source).

If this source is no good then what else should I try, or is running from the battery the only solution (I want to aviod this)

As a side note I got one 9" neo blue street glow neon today just to see how much light it puts out and it really provides a nice glow.

 

[Robb]

What kind of AMP draw or WATTAGE are the neons?

Robb

 

[Alec]

IMO the best route is to run power from the battery to a relay, then run power to all the lights from the relay and run them with a switch. This is how I would do it to be the safest and gaurantee good light performance and minimal risk to stock wiring.

 

[jimbo74]

depends on how you hook it up.... all those lights together cant share a single 12v input unless they are wired properly so they fully get 12v each

 

[Cartman]

I haven't been able to find any numbers on the actual current draw, just that the draw is low.

The switch that I got is rated for 30 amps at 12V, if I run 14 gauge from the battery to a fuse then to the switch will that work. I have a one of BMXBOY's wiring diagrams and it shows an inline 5-10 amp fuse so I think 14 gauge is enough and I have some sitting around.

 

[EliteConcept]

i just ran mine from my ciggrette lighter thingy ma bob dealy...that is i used the postive wire from behind it and hooked that wire up to a switch, then to the lights....
works good i have............umm 10 lights hooked up to it....its held up well. i imanage it will unless i try to run the lighter and the lights at the same time, which i won't cuz i don't smoke

good luck

 

[Robb]

Originally posted by EliteConcept
i just ran mine from my ciggrette lighter thingy ma bob dealy...that is i used the postive wire from behind it and hooked that wire up to a switch, then to the lights....
works good i have............umm 10 lights hooked up to it....its held up well. i imanage it will unless i try to run the lighter and the lights at the same time, which i won't cuz i don't smoke

good luck

 

[davesexplorer]

I ran 10-12 guage wire from battery to a new fused dist. block, a switched power supply of course.....hid under my center console

 

[justin's_94]

I kind of rigged mine. I got my 12v power wire from the 12v wire going into the power seats. I then installed another cigarette lighter inside my console. I did it this way so I could hide that unsightly looking plug from the neon and so the cell phone can charge without being right out in the open. The coolest part is that it is totally hidden. I got pics to.