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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: Nick Badame Refrig/ACC on May 07, 2008, 07:05:13 PM

Title: Another Off the Wall Bus Project..
Post by: Nick Badame Refrig/ACC on May 07, 2008, 07:05:13 PM
Yea, I do some weird things...

But, this one is one that my wife seemed to like too. :o

After expirementing a few days, I decided to brake out the drill and rivets after dinner tonight and install them.

I installed 4- four foot white neon tubes on my 24' awning. They give off a very soft light at night and are perfect for patio use.

They are 12v and last night I hooked up a 9 volt battery to one tube and this morning it was still lit.... :o Very Efficient!

The pics don't show the full effect but, here they are..

Nick-



Title: Re: Another Off the Wall Bus Project..
Post by: gmbusguy1 on May 07, 2008, 07:15:35 PM
Hey Nick, if you had some yellow lights we could sell elephant ears.   LOL

seriously the new lights are very cool

Chris
Title: Re: Another Off the Wall Bus Project..
Post by: oldmansax on May 07, 2008, 07:21:36 PM
All I got to say is........


YOU BAD!!!   ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D


I'm just proud to be associated with the organization!
Title: Re: Another Off the Wall Bus Project..
Post by: Dreamscape on May 07, 2008, 08:30:57 PM
"Neon Nick" Has a ring to it don't ya think! ;D

Very cool I must say.

Title: Re: Another Off the Wall Bus Project..
Post by: chazwood on May 07, 2008, 08:57:11 PM
Nice lights Nick.

Say.....how did you post those pictures?
Title: Re: Another Off the Wall Bus Project..
Post by: captain ron on May 07, 2008, 09:44:34 PM
Nick, You're supposed to get them in bright green, red or blue and put them under you bus. But they do look cool.
Title: Re: Another Off the Wall Bus Project..
Post by: FloridaCliff on May 08, 2008, 05:11:16 AM
Nick,

Cool Idea!

A lot of people have neat idea's, but only the brave share them.

Thanks.

Cliff
Title: Re: Another Off the Wall Bus Project..
Post by: HighTechRedneck on May 08, 2008, 05:24:23 AM
Nice!  I never knew neon lights were that efficient.
Title: Re: Another Off the Wall Bus Project..
Post by: Sojourner on May 08, 2008, 05:50:09 AM
Nick.....Looking Good and great report about 9v battery that still somewhat lit one of them.

Question....is each 4' unit has 3 mini-short tubes or whatever?

Want to learn more. Could you share the information link to these?

Thanks for sharing your experiment & idea.

Sojourn for Christ, Jerry
Title: Re: Another Off the Wall Bus Project..
Post by: skipn on May 08, 2008, 06:23:32 AM

Nick,

    Now that is the type of polish that seperates your bus to a class of its own.

    So will you publish a parts list to go with it?
     Maybe some picts on the attaching part.

   Sure now you went and made more work for yourself........External bus decorator

   Fun    shway :)

   Skip
Title: Re: Another Off the Wall Bus Project..
Post by: travelingfools on May 08, 2008, 09:48:15 AM
Nick, Do the units use a standard bulb with the DC electronics or is there a special 12volt bulb ?
Title: Re: Another Off the Wall Bus Project..
Post by: luvrbus on May 08, 2008, 10:10:53 AM
another way you guys can have patio lighting is to use 3 pickup cargo lights I have had them for years, changing to led bulbs when I find the right ones
Title: Re: Another Off the Wall Bus Project..
Post by: WEC4104 on May 08, 2008, 10:35:42 AM
Nice job Nick.  I'm holding off though until you introduce the new model with the built-in bug zapper.   ;D
Title: Re: Another Off the Wall Bus Project..
Post by: Nick Badame Refrig/ACC on May 08, 2008, 01:30:25 PM
Thanks Guy's..

The best way I can describe the tubes is...They are glass filled with neon and surrounded by Acrylic tubes to protect the glass.

The neon is very bright and there is no starter or external parts at all. The electronics are inside the end caps.   Just run 12v to them.

I ran a 24ga stranded 2 conductor wire from the tubes, along the lateral arm's, then to a switch just inside my entry door.

Last year I bought 2 sets of blue tubes and tried them on the bus and didn't like the color. Then I just bought two sets of clear

and hung them last night.

Hay Wayne, I did have a pic of the blue tubes.. [They looked like Bug Lights..Lol]  then took them off. See Pic Below.

Here is the link to the seller
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Undercar-Underbody-4-Piece-Car-Neon-Kit-Lights-WHITE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742Q2em153Q2el1262QQcategoryZ33714QQihZ012QQitemZ220231052816QQtcZphoto

Nick-
Title: Re: Another Off the Wall Bus Project..
Post by: Nick Badame Refrig/ACC on May 08, 2008, 01:43:13 PM
Quote from: Sojourner on May 08, 2008, 05:50:09 AM
Nick…..Looking Good and great report about 9v battery that still somewhat lit one of them.

Question....is each 4' unit has 3 mini-short tubes or whatever?

Want to learn more. Could you share the information link to these?

Thanks for sharing your experiment & idea.

Sojourn for Christ, Jerry


Hi Jerry,

The tubes are solid neon. The separation that you see in the tubes are the center mounting brackets that help support the tubes.

My kids and I had some fun last night. We used the left over 3ft. tubes and hooked up 9 volt batts to them and played Star Wars...[ light sabers]

Now I can remove those goofy tabs in the awning rail that held up my old patio lights.

Nick-
Title: Re: Another Off the Wall Bus Project..
Post by: Sojourner on May 08, 2008, 06:14:45 PM
Thank you very much Nick.
Very well explained.

It must be very small diameter.

Sojourn for Christ, Jerry