DIY - ABL using EL wire, and 3/16" tube - Page 24 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

sparaz · 06-12-2010, 02:43 PM

Sweet, that was a pretty slick idea you rolled with then, going to have to replace my stock ABL on doors with some blue ones and fix the doors so they go all the way up to the front edge instead of two inches too far back (how did they not get that right from the factory design?). Little nervous about the work and install, but i'm thinking that it will pan out pretty good in the long run. Did you install any fusable links/fuses in the line or is that unnecessary?

n2hcky · 08-06-2010, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wylde1

I'm thinking of trying to run just exposed EL wire across the top of the trim but I'm not 100% sure how I'd secure it yet. I want to try to steer clear of glues because I'd like to be able to replace the wire if it ever failed. But I'm not sure if 3M double sided tape will be enough to hold it in place. lots of thinkin' to do.....

I am not sure how this would work out but you could run it exposed by just wedging the flap under the dash trim pcs.

http://www.thatscoolwire.com/store/i...D=&SKU=abc-ezm

wylde1 · 08-06-2010, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n2hcky

I am not sure how this would work out but you could run it exposed by just wedging the flap under the dash trim pcs.

http://www.thatscoolwire.com/store/i...D=&SKU=abc-ezm

This is definitely the way to go. Most places call it Tail Wire. I'll be using it when I get to this mod eventually. I'm just going to tape the tail to the back of the trim and then it's all replaceable/removable if anything fails

KTMracing09 · 08-07-2010, 08:06 PM

On the EL wire website they only have colors "Raw-Blue" or "Raw-Green" there is no "Blue-Green" color he said to use

Icntdrv55 · 08-16-2010, 01:43 PM

Has anyone had a prblem with the glue "melting" when it gets hot out? I used a hot glue gun instead of super glue and the glue is actually melting. It makes the light look bad and very splotchy on the outside.
Just wondering if the super glue has the same problem?

*TAG UR IT* · 08-16-2010, 02:14 PM

DO NOT USE SUPERGLUE!!!

The fumes from the superglue will DESTROY the outer plastic tubing. If you think it's splotchy now, just wait till AFTER using superglue.

I never had a problem with the hot glue melting while I had it in there.

Your best bet to get it to stick there is to do a drop or two UNDER the tube keeping it in place. Do NOT use the hot glue gun all around the tube as that makes it spotchy with the light coming through...only use it on the bottom to keep it in place. I wish I had all the pix on this computer....I'd be happy to show you how I did it. Just take off the dash panel and repair it. That is your best bet.

*TAG UR IT* · 08-16-2010, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TAG UR IT

OH! MAKE SURE that if you are doing this mod AND IF you pull off the backer, WHILE THE BACKER IS OFF, use a dremel or other tool to shave down the plastic tabs on the backer towards the top by where you sanded. Here's an example of what I mean.

Look to the left of the clip...the one inch plastic tab type thing...

Right where my pinkie finger is...you'll see that little tab. Once you pull it off, you'll see about 4 of those tabs ranging in different sizes. Shave them all down to be smooth. If not, you are going to get shadows from your El Wire.

Also, NO HOT GLUE ABOVE THE ACRYLIC TUBE!!!! That will also create shadows. You want the blue to be PERFECT. I screwed this up (as you can see in the above picture) had to pull it off, and remove the top hot glue. I even had to shave off the ends of the acrylic tubes to make it better. But, all perfect now.

Yep...here's the post I was talking about!

Icntdrv55 · 08-16-2010, 10:14 PM

thanks TAG!

*TAG UR IT* · 08-17-2010, 02:08 AM

You got it!!!

Gonzo · 08-21-2010, 06:21 PM

Wow, I love this mod. I am going to order all the parts to do this on my 2SS. Thanks Camarorick for the great write-up. I will let you know know it goes.

Gonzo · 08-28-2010, 10:00 PM

Okay, so I thought I would take a look behind the dash before I started this mod. When I removed the panel on the driver side of the dash, there was no connector there.

So my question is: has anyone with a 2011 2SS or 2LT tried this and found the connector.

Because I think that GM may have removed this from the 2011 models. So now I have to figure out where I will get the power to connect the wires to power that allows me to dim the EL wire. Any suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks.

*TAG UR IT* · 08-28-2010, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gonzo

Okay, so I thought I would take a look behind the dash before I started this mod. When I removed the panel on the driver side of the dash, there was no connector there.

So my question is: has anyone with a 2011 2SS or 2LT tried this and found the connector.

Because I think that GM may have removed this from the 2011 models. So now I have to figure out where I will get the power to connect the wires to power that allows me to dim the EL wire. Any suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks.

GM stopped putting the plug connectors in all Camaros somewhere around the 55k vin range in the 2010 model year. You won't find any connectors...none. You are going to have to tap into one of the other pre-existing wires to power the lights. But, you need to tap into the right one or the panel lights won't dim with the dash lights.

shutduck knew the proper wires to tap into. I think it's in this thread SOMEWHERE... it'll be a lot of looking, but if you look for his name...

read through Camarorick's posts here...

and read though shuttducks here...

pretty sure it's shuttduck that found the dash wire to tap into.

Noturday · 08-28-2010, 11:57 PM

this really does look great and the fact that it dims with the other interior lights is great

i have a question though, it may not be helpful to me since i dont have a camaro, but it may be helpful to the other guys here who are considering doing this...

i used EL wire in my truck to trace around a bowtie that is mounted on the front of my sub box (shown below), but the EL wire driver made a terrible high pitched noise every time it was on, and the EL wire actually quit working after about a month. it still made that high pitch noise so i had to take it out. is there any problem like that with this setup or did i just get a bad driver or what?

this was a mock-up pic, thats why there is renegade lighting off to the upper-right side there

*TAG UR IT* · 08-29-2010, 01:00 AM

Nah...your unit was bad. I used mine and it worked fine. No problems...

08-16-2010, 01:43 PM	#327
Icntdrv55 CCOTR Member Drives: Victory Red 2010 2SS/RS A6 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Parker CO Posts: 1,096	Has anyone had a prblem with the glue "melting" when it gets hot out? I used a hot glue gun instead of super glue and the glue is actually melting. It makes the light look bad and very splotchy on the outside. Just wondering if the super glue has the same problem? __________________ Camaro Club Of The Rockies (CCOTR) Check us out on Facebook! --------------------------- 2010 Camaro SS/RS Victory Red A6- Vararam Intake, Doug Thorley Tri Y LTs, Magnaflow X-pipe, Flowmaster Super 40's, VMS Tune, Razzi Ground Effects, Herritage Grill, RED headlight and fog light Halos, LED DRLs, Dash and extended Door ABL, engine, grill and rear defusser LED lighting ........ 12.59@112.21 (DA Corrected)

08-16-2010, 10:14 PM	#330
Icntdrv55 CCOTR Member Drives: Victory Red 2010 2SS/RS A6 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Parker CO Posts: 1,096	thanks TAG! __________________ Camaro Club Of The Rockies (CCOTR) Check us out on Facebook! --------------------------- 2010 Camaro SS/RS Victory Red A6- Vararam Intake, Doug Thorley Tri Y LTs, Magnaflow X-pipe, Flowmaster Super 40's, VMS Tune, Razzi Ground Effects, Herritage Grill, RED headlight and fog light Halos, LED DRLs, Dash and extended Door ABL, engine, grill and rear defusser LED lighting ........ 12.59@112.21 (DA Corrected)

08-28-2010, 11:57 PM	#335
Noturday [Not-your-day] Drives: 2005 Avalanche Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Huntsville, TX Posts: 223	this really does look great and the fact that it dims with the other interior lights is great i have a question though, it may not be helpful to me since i dont have a camaro, but it may be helpful to the other guys here who are considering doing this... i used EL wire in my truck to trace around a bowtie that is mounted on the front of my sub box (shown below), but the EL wire driver made a terrible high pitched noise every time it was on, and the EL wire actually quit working after about a month. it still made that high pitch noise so i had to take it out. is there any problem like that with this setup or did i just get a bad driver or what? this was a mock-up pic, thats why there is renegade lighting off to the upper-right side there __________________

06-12-2010, 02:43 PM	#323
sparaz 867-5309 Drives: 2010 CMG RS & 86 black Z28 3rd gen Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Redondo Beach, L.A. County, California Posts: 295	Sweet, that was a pretty slick idea you rolled with then, going to have to replace my stock ABL on doors with some blue ones and fix the doors so they go all the way up to the front edge instead of two inches too far back (how did they not get that right from the factory design?). Little nervous about the work and install, but i'm thinking that it will pan out pretty good in the long run. Did you install any fusable links/fuses in the line or is that unnecessary?

08-07-2010, 08:06 PM	#326
KTMracing09 Drives: 2SS/RS L99 ABM Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Mechanicsville, Maryland Posts: 227	On the EL wire website they only have colors "Raw-Blue" or "Raw-Green" there is no "Blue-Green" color he said to use

08-16-2010, 02:14 PM	#328
TAG UR IT www.Camaro5store.com Drives: 2014 ZL1 #705 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: SA, Texas Posts: 26,544 View My Garage	DO NOT USE SUPERGLUE!!! The fumes from the superglue will DESTROY the outer plastic tubing. If you think it's splotchy now, just wait till AFTER using superglue. I never had a problem with the hot glue melting while I had it in there. Your best bet to get it to stick there is to do a drop or two UNDER the tube keeping it in place. Do NOT use the hot glue gun all around the tube as that makes it spotchy with the light coming through...only use it on the bottom to keep it in place. I wish I had all the pix on this computer....I'd be happy to show you how I did it. Just take off the dash panel and repair it. That is your best bet.

08-17-2010, 02:08 AM	#331
TAG UR IT www.Camaro5store.com Drives: 2014 ZL1 #705 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: SA, Texas Posts: 26,544 View My Garage	You got it!!!

08-21-2010, 06:21 PM	#332
Gonzo Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS/RS IBM 6M Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sandy Eggo Posts: 564 View My Garage	Wow, I love this mod. I am going to order all the parts to do this on my 2SS. Thanks Camarorick for the great write-up. I will let you know know it goes.

08-28-2010, 10:00 PM	#333
Gonzo Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS/RS IBM 6M Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sandy Eggo Posts: 564 View My Garage	Okay, so I thought I would take a look behind the dash before I started this mod. When I removed the panel on the driver side of the dash, there was no connector there. So my question is: has anyone with a 2011 2SS or 2LT tried this and found the connector. Because I think that GM may have removed this from the 2011 models. So now I have to figure out where I will get the power to connect the wires to power that allows me to dim the EL wire. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks.

08-29-2010, 01:00 AM	#336
TAG UR IT www.Camaro5store.com Drives: 2014 ZL1 #705 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: SA, Texas Posts: 26,544 View My Garage	Nah...your unit was bad. I used mine and it worked fine. No problems...