03-18-2013, 06:41 AM | #1 |
Drives: "Bmblbee" 2010 RY 2SS/RS. VIN 12043 Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Waldorf, Maryland
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Installed EL strip in mailslot
It seems everyone has LEDs in their mailslots so I went with something different. White (actually, it's more of a cool white. Not blue, not quite white) 1/2 inch EL stripe from Xoxide.com. Didn't pay $120, didn't pay $61.44 only $12.95 plus shipping.
Wired it up to my parking lights. Don't think it will cause a ticket as it doesn't flash, strobe, and not quite blue enough to clash with LEO colors. Also did a DIY LED bowtie and rigged up a cheap LED light-pipe set up on the lower grill. Total cost for the entire front end lighting - less than $50.
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03-18-2013, 06:52 AM | #2 |
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I'm very interested in EL tape but have never used it and I'm not exactly sure how it works. Every application I see looks amazing though.
Great job.
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03-18-2013, 08:30 AM | #3 |
Drives: "Bmblbee" 2010 RY 2SS/RS. VIN 12043 Join Date: Oct 2008
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It's a phosphor that glows when a current is put to it. Waterproof, flexible, cutable.
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03-18-2013, 10:06 AM | #4 | |
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Quote:
Thanks, gotta look into it!
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03-18-2013, 11:51 AM | #5 |
Drives: 2011 2LT/RS CGM W/ Black Stripes Join Date: Jul 2012
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looks great! Good work.
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03-18-2013, 11:53 AM | #6 |
Drives: 2011 5.7L Tundra Double-Cab X-SP Join Date: Mar 2012
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I've heard EL wire fades over time though... any experience with that?
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03-18-2013, 04:52 PM | #7 |
Drives: "Bmblbee" 2010 RY 2SS/RS. VIN 12043 Join Date: Oct 2008
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It's only been in a few weeks. Even if it does, 2 foot strips are only $13 so does it really matter? My AAC LED bar only lasted about 2 years before the UV cracked the waterproof casing.
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03-18-2013, 05:04 PM | #8 |
Drives: "Bmblbee" 2010 RY 2SS/RS. VIN 12043 Join Date: Oct 2008
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Did some checking. EL will last 1-2 years in direct sunlight. Did I mention it's $13?
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03-18-2013, 05:12 PM | #9 | |
Drives: 2011 5.7L Tundra Double-Cab X-SP Join Date: Mar 2012
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Quote:
At that price it's pretty much disposable anyway. How do the wires connect to the EL wire portion? Some kind of fitting? And also, don't you have to have some sort of ballast to use that? |
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03-18-2013, 06:44 PM | #10 |
Drives: "Bmblbee" 2010 RY 2SS/RS. VIN 12043 Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Waldorf, Maryland
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As I understand it, the pos/neg wires are embedded the entire length of the strip. The current flowing between the two light up the phosphor. The wires then go into an inverter (about 2x2 inch square). The wires out go to the car's 12v. Easy, no plugs or connectors other than to car power. Next project is to put a pair on the roof of the cabin (front to back) or lengthwise across the roof by the rear window.
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03-18-2013, 07:16 PM | #11 |
KNGTFALL
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How well did it stick to the inside of the mailslot?
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03-18-2013, 07:19 PM | #12 |
Drives: 2012 2SS/RS Convertible Join Date: Aug 2012
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that's pretty slick.
I like the white bow-tie, does the mail slot strip match the interior ABL? looks kinda close.
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03-18-2013, 07:32 PM | #13 |
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any pictures of where you mounted your inverter or how you wired this. im interested for other projects
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03-18-2013, 08:14 PM | #14 |
Camaro CRAZY
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Looks great! I might have to check out some EL wire/tape. Heard a LOT about it...
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