How can I dim the cathodes?

Hello, I have been reading up tons of all this great info on wireing my footwell 12" cold cathode kit and have been searching to find all my questions but I have a new one that I couldn't find here.

First let me just start off by saying that I got 2 12" cold cathode kits (for front footwells and under rear seats) and am going to (I know this is not recommended) extend the white cathode wires so I could use 2 of them off of 1 transformer. The cathode wires REALLY need to be longer...I don't see how you could hook 2 cathodes up to 1 transformer without extending. Anyway, I will be extending them tomorrow with 18 gauge wire only about 6" - 8" or so on both of them. (only need to extend the passenger side one to plug into the transformer thats on the drivers side but I thought I would do it to both cathodes so if there is a little dimming, it will be even.

Now to my question. I want it to be dim footwell accent lighting like in the Lexus IS350 but I know that these will be too bright. How can I dim the cathodes? Is there some kind of dimmer divice (like the dash light dimmer) that I can wire between the Add-a-Circut and the transformer? (not the remote dimmer on this site)

NO there is no way to properly dim the cathodes , you can dim the LED strips maybe you should rethink product

Thanks for the response. I just did a couple of hours of recearch and searching the forum and came to the conclusion that it is not possible to efficiantly dim the cold cathodes..

Apperently the dimmer device that I was thinking of is called a 'potentiometer' but there are none that can support the high voltage that the transformer creates. Even if there was one, it wouldn't be possible to dim the output because if the voltage drops, it will either just make the cathodes flicker or not light up at all.

The only thing I can think of doing is tinting the actual cold cathodes with stain glass spray tint from Hobby Lobby. That would actualy be a good idea because I could put a little blue tint in it (green cathode tubes) to give it that oem indigo glow in my '97 Acura CL then black tint it if I need it dimmer. Too bad I gave my friend the rest of my JDM taillight tint spray..
Would my idea be a good/safe idea? I really don't want to bother having to send the cold cathode tubes for an LED bar. Plus, I don't really like the 'spotlight effect' the LED bars give.

GhettoNinja06 wrote:

Plus, I don't really like the 'spotlight effect' the LED bars give.

Are you using LED bars that have an angle of 15 to 30 degrees, or 110 degrees?

Phil wrote:

GhettoNinja06 wrote: Plus, I don't really like the 'spotlight effect' the LED bars give. Are you using LED bars that have an angle of 15 to 30 degrees, or 110 degrees?

I have a friend that has LED bars that are super bright but have a spotlight looking effect to them. So would tinting the tube with stain glass tint be alright? If not, which LED bar should I get?

Piranha LED Bar
For a great alternative to cathodes, try Oznium's brand new 10-inch LED Piranha Bar. Using LED technology, they are super bright, super durable, and made to last. You won't have transformers to deal with. They hook directly to your 12 volt power source. They've got the same, if not more brightness than a 12 inch cathode tube. Wide 120 degree angle light output.

Slightly more expensive, but this "cannibal fish" is well worth it!

Let me know how you like it.

That looks exactly what I'm looking for! Thank you! The only problem is that I already have the cold cathodes... How do I go about sending these cold cathodes back? Everything is still in the box. I just took the plastic wrapper off of the cathode box to check them out.

So these don't have that 'spotlight effect' I was talking about earlyer like the Autozone LED strips right?

They certainly WILL NOT have that spotlight effect!

http://www.oznium.com/returns

It may not be worth shipping the cathode kit back though, we can't really refund the shipping cost, so after you pay shipping to send it back to us, you'll only be getting back like $7 to $8

Btw, got your voicemail. Order cancelled.

Ahh, that's great then! Not needing a transformer really helps too.

Yeah, I might as well just keep them then and figure somewhere else to put them. Probably engine bay or something.

Thank you so much Phil for the speedy response and order cancellation notice! Haha. I have never seen such support, patience, and communication from the owner of a company. The forums are great too, I love it!
I'm going to order 4 Piranha bars right now. Also have an idea with 2 white 20" Piranha LED bars but I'll get that later.

Thanks again!

So this is what I ended up doing with the cold cathodes. haha

http://www.oznium.com/forum/topic21561#352864

the piranha bar will impress you

Just came in right now!!



Installing as we speak...err..type.

very cool. post pics when you are done!

Finished it a couple of days ago. Everything is perfect, no wires or tubes visible AT ALL! Switch was mounted as clean as can be too.

Drivers side, door closed, windows up, 35% tints.



Passenger side, door closed, windows up, 35% tints.



Drivers side, door open.





Passengers side, door open.





Front seats.



Rear seats.



Here they are.

Also ordered natural white dome led, door leds, and corner leds from superbrightleds but they gave me red ones...

I am going to play with some blue celophane paper to try to get that indigo glow to match the gauges and see if I like it and also getting a dimmer switch ASAP. Wayy too bright at night imo. Still love it though.