Powering my lights for car shows...need help - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Dangeruss · 10-22-2010, 10:41 AM

Hey guys. I have an AAC lighting package, but want the ability to keep the lights on for car shows and street meets. I've heard I can use an RV inverter, (or is it converter?) but I'm not sure which one to get. I'm assuming I won't need too much power since I'm only dealing with LEDs. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

klatterblast · 10-22-2010, 10:51 AM

then where are you going to plug the extension cord ? lol . you can leave all your led's on a long time before it drains your battery just dont leave your hid's on.

Dangeruss · 10-22-2010, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klatterblast

then where are you going to plug the extension cord ? lol . you can leave all your led's on a long time before it drains your battery just dont leave your hid's on.

My lights are hooked to my parking lights, and when you leave them on the car turns everything off after 10 minutes. My understanding is that RV converters store power so you don't need to plug in. I think this is what AAC uses for their vehicles, but I'm not sure which one to get.

klatterblast · 10-22-2010, 11:24 AM

AAC has an extension cord hanging from the back of there car, i saw it when i was there getting lit up. call AAC and ask them about it, they will help you.

Dangeruss · 10-22-2010, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klatterblast

AAC has an extension cord hanging from the back of there car, i saw it when i was there getting lit up.

I know they have something, because they weren't plugged in at all in the hotel parking lot at Camarofest. They told me they used some sort of internal power converter in their big truck, but I don't remember what it was. Maybe they'll see this thread and chime in.

Gotthat02fire · 10-22-2010, 05:08 PM

I'm also intrested in this but my show season is over and my Camaro is starting to be torn down again so this would be great timing for any additional wiring that may be needed!!!

agkelly73 · 10-25-2010, 12:34 AM

Guys, I have AAC halos as well and needed a solution similar. I purchased an "on, off, on" switch which you can pick up from any auto store. I then rewired my lights into that switch. One side on allows the lights to run with the normal headlight switch. The other side "on" allows me to run them constantly during car shows. Just tie it to a constant hot source. I can explain later a little better as I'm on the road right now.

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk

Dangeruss · 10-25-2010, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agkelly73

Guys, I have AAC halos as well and needed a solution similar. I purchased an "on, off, on" switch which you can pick up from any auto store. I then rewired my lights into that switch. One side on allows the lights to run with the normal headlight switch. The other side "on" allows me to run them constantly during car shows. Just tie it to a constant hot source. I can explain later a little better as I'm on the road right now.

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk

Yea...I looked into this option as well, but I want to be able to power everything. I have headlight and foglight halos, side markers, taillights, and Showstopper mirrors. I think what you're talking about would only power the headlight halos right?

Kendell347 · 10-26-2010, 10:21 AM

I would have the car rewired to have the option to be turned on via parking lights or via constant 12 volts (through an on / off switch in the car). This can be accomplished with diodes. If you ask someone who knows how to do wiring this can be done and LED's will not drain the battery.

Kendell347 · 10-26-2010, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AACstyle

The parking light timer is ground-switched. Putting 12V constant to it will not help in this case.

Actually I was recommending two different circuits so they function during driving and separate when on for show. It would require additional wiring.

Dangeruss · 10-26-2010, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AACstyle

Russ, you need to ground the headlight switch.

I would take a pic for you but the car is back in the body show getting the door jambs cleared before SEMA, will get a pic for you and a diagram though!

Thanks Justin. I want to run everything including the side markers, taillights and bowtie. What's that big power supply you guys use for the truck?

Noturday · 10-26-2010, 06:21 PM

advance auto parts (and i believe others) have a 4 function wireless switch setup (im running one in my truck) for $30 and it works great, you could use one function for the halos, one for your mirrors, one for side markers and one for taillights. wiring each of them individually may be a little difficult, but for the box all you need is a constant +12 and a ground, then there are color coded wires for each of the 4 functions.

on my truck im only using 3 functions now, one for exterior glow, one for interior, and one for head/fog lights. still trying to come up with something for my 4th function....maybe radio.....

*Mindz* · 10-27-2010, 04:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AACstyle

Russ, you need to ground the headlight switch.

I would take a pic for you but the car is back in the body show getting the door jambs cleared before SEMA, will get a pic for you and a diagram though!

If this is something that can be accomplished in a day or two with very limited electrician experience, I'm down too. I want to show off my sidemarkers/P13W at SEMA.

Dangeruss · 10-28-2010, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AACstyle

We have this 30A unit in the Camaro and in the Truck.

Look at page #16 of our catalog:

http://www.automotivelightstore.com/...cleCatalog.pdf

Thanks Justin. That's what I was talking about. Now the million dollar question...how would I hook it up? Would I need to rewire everything?

10-22-2010, 10:51 AM	#2
klatterblast Drives: 2010 camaro 2ssrs blk. Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: walker la. Posts: 1,732 View My Garage	then where are you going to plug the extension cord ? lol . you can leave all your led's on a long time before it drains your battery just dont leave your hid's on. __________________ 2010 Hennessey HPE650 2SSRS Blk/Blk Magnuson TVS2300,ported heads,cam,Hotchkis suspension. Weld 17”s, Mickey Thompson’s.

10-22-2010, 11:24 AM	#4
klatterblast Drives: 2010 camaro 2ssrs blk. Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: walker la. Posts: 1,732 View My Garage	AAC has an extension cord hanging from the back of there car, i saw it when i was there getting lit up. call AAC and ask them about it, they will help you. __________________ 2010 Hennessey HPE650 2SSRS Blk/Blk Magnuson TVS2300,ported heads,cam,Hotchkis suspension. Weld 17”s, Mickey Thompson’s.

10-22-2010, 05:08 PM	#6
Gotthat02fire Drives: 2010 Camaro 1ss IOM Join Date: May 2009 Location: Williamsport,PA Posts: 2,246 View My Garage	I'm also intrested in this but my show season is over and my Camaro is starting to be torn down again so this would be great timing for any additional wiring that may be needed!!! __________________ Jannetty Racing Built and Tuned 416 Maggie Max Package even better now!

10-26-2010, 10:21 AM	#9
Kendell347 Doc Drives: BLACKOUT & Fifty Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,580 View My Garage	I would have the car rewired to have the option to be turned on via parking lights or via constant 12 volts (through an on / off switch in the car). This can be accomplished with diodes. If you ask someone who knows how to do wiring this can be done and LED's will not drain the battery. __________________ 1100-7/20/2009 * 6000-2/4/10 Proud Owner of Autographed Litho # 1282010 Camaro 2 SS/RS - BLACKOUT & 2017 Camaro 2 SS - 50th Anniversary #894 WWW. NY5THGEN.COM

10-26-2010, 06:21 PM	#12
Noturday [Not-your-day] Drives: 2005 Avalanche Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Huntsville, TX Posts: 223	advance auto parts (and i believe others) have a 4 function wireless switch setup (im running one in my truck) for $30 and it works great, you could use one function for the halos, one for your mirrors, one for side markers and one for taillights. wiring each of them individually may be a little difficult, but for the box all you need is a constant +12 and a ground, then there are color coded wires for each of the 4 functions. on my truck im only using 3 functions now, one for exterior glow, one for interior, and one for head/fog lights. still trying to come up with something for my 4th function....maybe radio..... __________________

10-22-2010, 10:41 AM	#1
Dangeruss Bayoucitymusclecars.com Drives: Camaro LSX Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Spring, TX Posts: 4,413 View My Garage	Powering my lights for car shows...need help Hey guys. I have an AAC lighting package, but want the ability to keep the lights on for car shows and street meets. I've heard I can use an RV inverter, (or is it converter?) but I'm not sure which one to get. I'm assuming I won't need too much power since I'm only dealing with LEDs. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

10-25-2010, 12:34 AM	#7
agkelly73 Drives: 2016 SS Convertible Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Hope Mills, NC Posts: 419	Guys, I have AAC halos as well and needed a solution similar. I purchased an "on, off, on" switch which you can pick up from any auto store. I then rewired my lights into that switch. One side on allows the lights to run with the normal headlight switch. The other side "on" allows me to run them constantly during car shows. Just tie it to a constant hot source. I can explain later a little better as I'm on the road right now. Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk

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