LED Lights for my acrylic amp shelf

[SolemnSinner]

I received my LED's yesterday that I'm shooting up through the acrylic to illumate my SSA logo, as most of you know.

I would like for them to turn on when the stereo turns on.

Can I cut a sliver into the H/U's Power Wire and run the power wire from the LED strip to that, or would that drain power that the H/U is getting or cause other problems?

btw, just got finished installing the H/O alternator...put on some Gucci Mane at high volume(80%). With heavy long drawn out bass tones, it never drops below 14 volts on the DMM @ idle. Success?

[snow0707]

led dont hardly use any power, you could even get away with coming off the amps remote wire,

[SolemnSinner]

Originally Posted by snow0707

led dont hardly use any power, you could even get away with coming off the amps remote wire,

It's a strip of LED's with 18 of them. Still ok?

[fosg8freak]

yeah you could take the Power from your remote wire on yoru amp easily enough

[SolemnSinner]

Originally Posted by fosg8freak

yeah you could take the power from your remote wire on yoru amp easily enough

So just plug the power wire for the LED's into the remote jack on my amp?

[RidinLoudProd]

get a 12 volt relay. run probebly 18 to 12 gauge from your amp power to the relay, and use the remote wire for a trigger? remember to put a resistor in with the LEDS

[SolemnSinner]

Originally Posted by RidinLoudProd

get a 12 volt relay. run probebly 18 to 12 gauge from your amp power to the relay, and use the remote wire for a trigger? remember to put a resistor in with the LEDS

These don't need a resistor. Just straight 12v DC.
Talked to the guy from SuperBrightLeds earlier this morning.

[fosg8freak]

if you are worried about it, you can just use the accessory fuse in the fuse box and run a wire from there...

[SolemnSinner]

Originally Posted by fosg8freak

if you are worried about it, you can just use the accessory fuse in the fuse box and run a wire from there...

Not really worried about it...just wondering if it will work without draining power from the H/U.
I think I'll tap into the inline fuse on my H/U's power wire that's about 5 inches from the battery.
That should work I think.

[SolemnSinner]

This is what I bought, btw, for RidinLoudProd.

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b...pecs%2FFLB.htm

[SolemnSinner]

Says it draws 102ma from 12vDC.

[RidinLoudProd]

Alright so it has built in resistors for how it looks. I have just been told a few times because i got a bunch of 3 volt LED bulbs that even if i run 4 in series to a 12 volt power source, i still need a 1ohm resistor to restrict voltage to keep the led's from drawing to much power. I am going to be running 4 when i build my new box and is wondering about running them off my remote or not. I was told to see how many amps the remote wire puts out and go from there.

[SolemnSinner]

I'm gonna run out, take a test run real quick, and take a pic.

[SolemnSinner]

Ok...this is what I got so far. Still some sharpening to do on the logo. Very touchy stuff freehand though...so I'm gonna pop a few Xanax before I do that to steady my hand.

[fosg8freak]

I like it!

[RidinLoudProd]

what did u use to etch the plexi?

[SolemnSinner]

I used a dremel with the pointed tip(not sure what the actual name of the bit is) to line it, and then the grinder bit to score the acrylic within what I outlined.

[jmelton86]

If you tap into the stereos' "power wire", then it'll either be on at all times OR come on with the ignition switch -depending on which wire (yellow or red) you use.

You can run it from the remote wire, but I wouldn't if you have more than, say, 2 amps (line drivers, EQs, etc...) connected to it as well.

When in doubt, use a relay.

[Fallen]

Agreed. I'd use a relay. My HU is only good for 500mA. So if theres 4 of those strips and an amp that's getting pretty close to 500mA(or it might be over depending on the amp).

Oh and great job on the acrylic.
I mean it. I have no idea how you freehanded edges that clean. Good job !

[SolemnSinner]

Hey, thanks Fallen! I take that as a huge compliment coming from a fabrication pro such as yourself.
It took A LOT of patience and a steady but firm hand.
The dremel tends to want to "jump off" the acrylic when doing it, so it's tricky because even the slightest flaws in the acrylic will show when illuminated at night.
As I stated before, there are imperfections in the work, but I'm satisfied with the results. I'm no pro.

[SolemnSinner]

Does anybody know if how to, or if it's possible to take a simple battery operated item and convert it to using 12v? I'm talking about an item that takes 2 or 4 AA batteries.

[RidinLoudProd]

resistors will do it. not for sure if thats the best way. but they will do it i believe. what you have in mind?

[sri3850341]

ever look into cold cathode??

[RidinLoudProd]

yes i have, i got 2 in my tower

[SolemnSinner]

Originally Posted by RidinLoudProd

resistors will do it. not for sure if thats the best way. but they will do it i believe. what you have in mind?

I have a couple of short strings of blue EL tubing coming that I'm using to accent the false floor I built. They run each run on 2 AA batteries. I'd like to somehow convert them so I can run them to my battery or accessory fuse.

...and for Shane, I have no idea what you are talking about. lol