Hey, so i want to install neon's or LED lights in my boot to light it up.
What is the best and easyest way's to go about this? Can i plug them into the boot light socket instead of the bootlight being in there?

Yes. This is what I did for some extra LED lighting. LEDs do not draw that much extra current.

Okay, awesome, where would i buy a green LED from? that can be wired to the boot light?

Okay, awesome, where would i buy a green LED from? that can be wired to the boot light?

I wouldn't go looking for a LED replacement because you will be dissapointed with how much you will be paying for something that has patching light output and isn't much better than the factory lighting.

The best way would be to go to your Local Jaycar Electronics or anywhere that stocks computer parts and spend about $20 to get yourself 2 30cm CCFL Tubes, theses are cold cathodes that are normally used in computer cases but they will work wonders in your boot.

Heres how mine turned out.
http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/1210/sany1104.jpg
By peaandham (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/peaandham) at 2010-09-16
http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/843/sany1097.jpg
By peaandham (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/peaandham) at 2010-09-16

As for the wiring you can use the current plug, if you crimp some spade terminals onto the end of the CCFL wires, and insert them into the plug, or you can just cut the plug off and attach the wires directly to the stock wiring.

Ahh okay thanks! and so im guessing they turn off by them self if the boot is closed (because they run off of the boot plug) and also how long do they last for and is there different colours?

Ahh okay thanks! and so im guessing they turn off by them self if the boot is closed (because they run off of the boot plug) and also how long do they last for and is there different colours?

Yep they are controlled the same way as the stock globes.

I would be very comfortable to say they last much longer than any LED, as for the different colours, yes, but it all comes down to where you buy them from.

Okay thanks for your help :) Would places like dicksmith and JBhifi sell them? or more independent stores?

Okay thanks for your help :) Would places like dicksmith and JBhifi sell them? or more independent stores?

JB Hi Fi probably wont, Dick Smiths might do.

Better yet just ring some computer places and check.

Ok cheers for your time and help, its helped me a great deal :)

@peaandham...wow thats too bright for me.

I just did a blue led strip with an extra super bright blue led, it still gives enough light to see, but is more of a subtle ambiance rather than a flood light. Depends on what kind of look you want.

I quite like the really bright one. but would it use much of the battery power?

I wouldn't worry much about battery power with this type of mod. I doubt you would have the boot open for hours?

I also have 2 blue CCFL tubes in the boot and connected them from the standard boot light, and they have been working for around 6 years now, and haven't replaced them yet...

If anything, have a look on ebay for these, or ask Alan aka Megatron as he own Mr CD-R Electronics and can help you with this...
http://mrcdr.com.au/

Oh, okay so they last for a long long time then, and i would only have my boot open for 10 mins tops.. Unless i was listening to music at a park or something, but then the engine would be running most likely anyway.

Yeah, if you had your music on for hours, my bet is you wouldn't do that with the engine off on a standard car battery :)
So yeah, the CCFL won't drain your car battery that quick... Not sure if they use more power than leaving head lights on... but i'd say you will be ok for a few hours :)



Oh, okay so they last for a long long time then, and i would only have my boot open for 10 mins tops.. Unless i was listening to music at a park or something, but then the engine would be running most likely anyway.

Okay cheers man!
Yeah i think i will defiantly be saving up for these, I will upload some pics when they are in and done :-)

I quite like the really bright one. but would it use much of the battery power?

I would get technical, but i will just say you will be fine.

Well if you place a multimeter in "series" with the boot light circuit, you will be able to measure the amp draw on the battery.
But as peandham said, as long as your boot light switches off when you close the boot, you will be fine.

Just letting you know that where is no way a CCFL tube will last longer then an LED. Inverters and the actual tube go all the time and is far less reliable then CCFL tubes. That would be why most people are choosing the LED option for angel eyes now

I would recommend a LED strip instead

LED draw bugger all current, I left on my parkers (my parkers front and rear are all LEDs) on for an hour still had heaps of juice to crank the engine over :) Same with neon, and funnily enough indicant lamps as well. You need a big current draw to drop you battery voltage low enough. So anything you choose will be fine :D


You need a good battery to run your audio equipment when the car is off :)

Just letting you know that where is no way a CCFL tube will last longer then an LED. Inverters and the actual tube go all the time and is far less reliable then CCFL tubes. That would be why most people are choosing the LED option for angel eyes now

I would recommend a LED strip instead

+1 and LEDs are sold everywhere and are cheaper

+1 and LEDs are sold everywhere and are cheaper

I beg to differ, to get the same light output from a LED, or LED's you will need to spend more than you would to be 2 CCFL Sticks. LED's are directional aswell, so patchy light is what you will get from them, where as the CCFL tubes have a 360 Degree lighting area.

You cannot argue with this for a cheap lighting solution.
http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/5112/img3543q.jpg
By peaandham (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/peaandham) at 2011-01-30

Meh I have a great LED strip that is equal to your two neon :P Just need to shop around :)

Pics or GTFO lol.

Dont have a boot setup :( Plus it a messy boot I will get photo on Friday :)

Some LEDs are directional. SMD leds are not. Very wide light output and very reliable. A strip of 30 SMD LEDs will set you back $30

http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=ZD0462&keywords=LED+strip&form=KEYWORD

I have to say the CCFL option is good for light output but purely for reliability i would not choose them. Thats just me though

But they dont come in green??

CCFL's all the way.

I see what you did there. .

Good game sir. . OH WAIT :D

http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=ZD0466&keywords=RGB&form=KEYWORD

MWA HA HA HA!

I still only see Blue, Pink and White?

Try again :P

Try again :P

Now i see what You did there. lol

But then he has to solder his own wires correct? CCFL's are easier.

Comes with a few plugs already if you want to join them etc. All you have to do is connect red and black wire from the plug already on there. No soldering if need be

.....

Cheers guys, ill go have a look at different kinds of them next weekend or something. Il have a look at the tubes and the LED's :P

http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88177

PLEASE HELP WITH THE CCFL tubes.. bought some today and they arent working. not sure if its coz i cut the clips to connect to the computer off so that i could wire it into the boot light supply?
HELP