computer lights

[alero_bmxer]

i went to a garage sale earlier and picked up a few flexible neon ropes. now the guy use to sell computer accessories and said they would work just fine running off of 12 volts. i got them home and hooked one to my battery to test it and it lit for about 2 seconds and then the little black box, which im guessing jumps up or steps down volts, popped and smoked. i cut the box off of the wires and hooked up the rope with no box and nothing. can anyone tell me what i need to do to get them working for 12 volts. i got a few places i wanna hide them.

[clutch1]

The black box is a transformer that puts out some super high voltage. See if there's specs written on it.. and if there are, go online and buy a transformer that goes from 12v to that high voltage number.

[widbyj]

That is "EL Wire" which is basically a tiny neon 'tube' light. The black box converts 12v DC to ?000Hz AC to run the light. They are generally reliable until the tube gets damaged and it shorts things out.

Save yourself some time and maybe money by getting a fresh setup. Autozone sells various kits.

[alero_bmxer]

nothing is damaged they were brand new in the box. i only paid 8 dollars for 5 of them so im not out that much.

[Philbar71]

Xoide sells them,

http://xoxide.com/elwire.html