DIY - ABL using EL wire, and 3/16" tube

[yubman]

Fantastic write-up!

[camarorick]

Originally Posted by RickRay

Like Rick said it is for future items to connect. Also it is easier to change the EL wire to another color if you want.

Good point on the color change Rick

Apparently they're coming out with a wire that will have the capability of changing color ( probably the EL driver ), but think of the possibilities..... Might need to swap out the door LED pipe for EL tube

http://elwireonline.com/color_change_el_wire

[yubman]

Are the large rectanglular holes too small to pass the connectors through? Just wondering if any holes need to be drilled?

[camarorick]

Originally Posted by yubman

Are the large rectanglular holes too small to pass the connectors through? Just wondering if any holes need to be drilled?

The larger rectangular holes are for the dash trim, so the whole hole will be occupied. The smaller rectangular holes will probably be used by G.M. for their ABL setup ( just a guess ). I imagine that you could use the smaller rectangular hole, if you were to hardwire the EL in ( connector is the reason for the hole ), but then if you need to dismantle, it would make thing harder.

[yubman]

Originally Posted by camarorick

The larger rectangular holes are for the dash trim, so the whole hole will be occupied. The smaller rectangular holes will probably be used by G.M. for their ABL setup ( just a guess ). I imagine that you could use the smaller rectangular hole, if you were to hardwire the EL in ( connector is the reason for the hole ), but then if you need to dismantle, it would make thing harder.

Got it, I intially thought the smaller holes were for the trim. Thanks for the clairifcation.

[wrek]

If I swap out the blue in my doors for yellow and do yellow in my dash, will I need 3 of these? Tiny 12 Volt Constant light & Flash Inverter (0-4ft)
Will I need extra connectors or ?


If I do the floor lights, do I just need to add 10ish feet of wire and 2 female connectors?

[camarorick]

Originally Posted by wrek

If I swap out the blue in my doors for yellow and do yellow in my dash, will I need 3 of these? Tiny 12 Volt Constant light & Flash Inverter (0-4ft)
Will I need extra connectors or ?

That's the great thing about this mod, if you do the doors, you could switch to any of the colors that they supply

One driver would suffice, but you would be exceeding the 4 ft length... Purchase the 4 - 8 ft driver instead , and two more MALE connectors

Originally Posted by wrek

If I do the floor lights, do I just need to add 10ish feet of wire and 2 female connectors?

2 MALE connectors, and again you'll need the other driver if you exceed the 4 feet.

[wrek]

Cool, I am trying blue first so I just added a couple male connectors for the floors and I upped to the 8-13' power module. If it runs too hot or bright I'll add several feet of extra wire in a coil behind the dash somewhere to bring the total footage up to 8 feet.

I'll order some yellow later maybe... it's so cheap!

I'm kind of holding out to see about the rainbow-wire they're coming out with. Has anyone called them yet? I'd be curious to see what the cost of that is and what dimensions it is. It would be very cool to be able to adjust the colors!

Here's my order sheet. I added an extra 4 way splitter also. I think 2 is already 1 too many but I'm getting 3 just in case I add the doors later.

3 EZ-Connection Splitters for EL Wire
EZ-Connection type:4 way splitter (add 1.50)
15 2.2mm Blue-Green Polar Bright El Wire
1 Female 6" Connector
5 Male 6" Connector
3 Heatshrink Tubing 1.5mm
1 12 Volt Constant & Flash Inverter 8-13ft

[camarorick]

Originally Posted by wrek

Cool, I am trying blue first so I just added a couple male connectors for the floors and I upped to the 8-13' power module. If it runs too hot or bright I'll add several feet of extra wire in a coil behind the dash somewhere to bring the total footage up to 8 feet.

I'll order some yellow later maybe... it's so cheap!

I'm kind of holding out to see about the rainbow-wire they're coming out with. Has anyone called them yet? I'd be curious to see what the cost of that is and what dimensions it is. It would be very cool to be able to adjust the colors!

Here's my order sheet. I added an extra 4 way splitter also. I think 2 is already 1 too many but I'm getting 3 just in case I add the doors later.

3 EZ-Connection Splitters for EL Wire
EZ-Connection type:4 way splitter (add 1.50)
15 2.2mm Blue-Green Polar Bright El Wire
1 Female 6" Connector
5 Male 6" Connector
3 Heatshrink Tubing 1.5mm
1 12 Volt Constant & Flash Inverter 8-13ft

I would consider getting the 4-8 ft driver ( or get both )..... When I first set mine up, I used the 8-13 ft driver, and although it worked, I noticed that it would flicker sometimes.... Now I have the 0-4ft, and the flicker is gone. There are zero issues with heat ( no heat at all !! ), or brightness.

You should probably get the yellow wire at the same time ( save on shipping ) !?

[montej23]

where did you get this item i do not see it on the website?

2 x Aquarium rigid acrylic air tube ( 3/16" diameter, approx 40" long ) :
$1.99 x 2 = $3.98

[RickRay]

Originally Posted by montej23

where did you get this item i do not see it on the website?

2 x Aquarium rigid acrylic air tube ( 3/16" diameter, approx 40" long ) :
$1.99 x 2 = $3.98

He went to the Pet / Fish store to get them

[camarorick]

Originally Posted by montej23

where did you get this item i do not see it on the website?

2 x Aquarium rigid acrylic air tube ( 3/16" diameter, approx 40" long ) :
$1.99 x 2 = $3.98

Any pet shop will have this. It must be the 3/16" diameter.

[camarorick]

Hahahaha..... Rick, you're faster than me

[wrek]

Oh sorry, when I say "hot" I mean too much voltage/too bright. I've already placed the order so I'll just coil up some extra behind the dash or find something else that needs a little light. Maybe I'll just put two rows at the feet.