How the neon lights are attached. How to choose, install and use neon lights

Today we will again touch on the field of external tuning of the car, and we will independently organize neon lighting.

Choice of neon car lights

We have already written about how to make it on our own and promised to tell about neon in the near future. Today we keep our promise, and we is in a hurry to tell you how to make neon illumination of the car underbody on our own. Stimulating you to take action, we want to inform you that the end result will exceed all your expectations, and your car, after installing the backlight, will resemble a spaceship.

Only it will not be superfluous to transform your car outwardly - appropriate body kits, low-profile tires. But something we have moved away from the topic, let's, after all, return to the direct installation of neon lighting.

So, you need to start by purchasing a set of neon lamps, which can be found in any building materials market or in a store with lighting equipment. At the same time, make accurate measurements in advance, since long lamps will not snap into place, and short ones will look a little ridiculous. Also, before choosing, you should know that such neon lamps can be of all kinds of colors - red, blue, pink, light green, green and white, choose the one that suits your car.

After the lamps are purchased, you need to think about connecting them to a power source. It is worth emphasizing that a voltage of about 6000 volts is required for power supply, which is why usually a special transformer is included with the lamps, which must be installed under the hood. Pay attention to the cables, more precisely to their length, determine the required one in advance, since it will not be possible to lengthen it in the future.

Car neon lighting installation

After the preparatory stage, you should proceed to the installation of the backlight. Despite its apparent difficulty, it is quite easy to implement. To do this, we need self-tapping screws and the holders included with the neon lamps. Do not worry about damaging the lamps, they are quite strong, but you need to be careful with the wires.

After the lamps are in place, they should be connected to a power source. Again, we advise you to connect them directly to the battery, but if you have an irresistible desire, you can connect the backlight in parallel to the inclusion of the dimensions. However, it should be remembered: it is highly undesirable for the backlight to be constantly on, because during the day there is no special effect from it, but the load on the generator, and, consequently, an increase in fuel consumption is guaranteed. But at night, at dusk or even in cloudy weather, of course, such illumination is able to attract everyone's attention, both the drivers of neighboring cars and ordinary pedestrians. Also note that the luminous flux is the brighter, the lower the vehicle's clearance.

Therefore, if you have a sports car, for example Toyota Supra, Mitsubishi Evolution or, say, Honda Accord, which are popularly known as puzoterki, then the effect of neon illumination will be simply stunning and it is simply necessary. Although, of course, we will not hide, the effect is only visual, such neon illumination will not give any improvement in the technical parameters to your car.

By the way, it is not at all necessary to illuminate only the bottom with the help of neon lights; thanks to them, you can emphasize some body elements - underwing space, spoiler, etc.

Summing up, I would like to say that neon lighting is a great way to distinguish your car from the gray stream of its relatives, to give it individuality and stunning appearance, thereby causing delight and envy of others. However, if you are not sure of your abilities, then perhaps it is better to entrust this matter to professionals? They already know all the subtleties of this work. Good luck!

Most of the modern rooms are decorated in accordance with the latest design developments. One of these solutions is neon lighting in the apartment, which allows you to make even an ordinary room unique and original. With the help of neon, the required level of illumination is provided not only for the entire room, but also for all the necessary places. Lighting devices and lamps are selected in accordance with the requirements.

Features of neon lighting

As a result of properly arranged lighting, a soft environment is formed. It is advisable to protect the details of neon lighting from aggressive external influences. This will significantly increase the service life.

To power the backlight in any room, various electronic converters are used. They are much lower than that of conventional electromagnetic transformers. The quality of installation work is of great importance.

All elements that make up the lighting system must be hidden. This is especially true for wires and electrodes. For direct lighting, special neon tubes with a diameter of 15 mm are most often used. As a rule, before starting the installation, all the details of a specific neon lighting are agreed upon.

Lighting of the main elements

Parts of the neon light are very fragile and must be handled with care to avoid accidental injury. There are very successful individual options to solve this problem. The main focus is on the design of special niches for laying parts of the lighting system. Their design should, if necessary, ensure the unhindered replacement of neons. If there are several niches in the room that are not connected with each other, then each of them must have its own supply cable.

Neon ceiling lighting is done in accordance with the general rules. All elements are hidden under plasterboard skirting boards, giving the interior extra style and elegance.

Thus, neon lighting in the apartment is actively used not only by architects, but also by designers. With the help of neon lighting elements, you can create drawings and other images that make any interior unique. The advantages of this kind of lighting are the ability to use multiple colors and shades.

Neon lamps rarely fail, consume very little energy, and can be used open or closed. In some cases, neon lighting acts as an additional lighting in low visibility conditions.

Features:

Neon lamps look like a glass tube in which gas is present. The content enters the tube under the influence of low pressure. Not every type of gas is used for lamps of this type. Neon can play the role of inert, hence the name of the lamps. However, other types of inert gases can also be injected into the flask.

The features of such products include:

• The atoms are completely filled with an electron shell.Due to this quality, neon atoms do not come into contact with other types of atoms, which excludes the possibility that a new electron will be captured. However, it is possible to take away electrons only by spending a large amount of energy;
• The end of the glass tube is equipped with an electrode;
• The activity of lamps is able to be carried out not only due to constant current sources, but also on variables. If the connection is carried out using the first method, neon lighting will be present only near the electrodes. For this reason, neon lights can only be connected to an alternating current source;
• The whole work of light bulbs is in the characteristics of an inert gas.

If we talk about the work of light bulbs, it is carried out according to the following rules:

• when electric gases are passed through atoms, there is a loss of electrons with the subsequent receipt of a positive charge;
• after the atoms are positively charged, there is an attraction to the electrode, which has a negative charge;
• such actions create a neon type of lighting with a bright spectrum.For this reason, such methods are increasingly used as lighting for apartments and structures. In most cases, neon lamps can replace LED strip and act as a light source. The backlight is not inferior in its characteristics to LED representatives, attracting attention with its showiness.

Advantages and disadvantages

Neon lamps have many positive qualities:

• wide range of sizes and shapes;
• easy installation. Lighting installation is carried out with a small number of components for a minimum period;
• there is an option to control brightness and power consumption;
• you can get different colors;
• impressive service life. The service life of neon lamps can be up to 20 years;
• the design of neon sources excludes the possibility of heating, which indicates fire safety;
• lack of noise during operation.

Despite the fact that neon sources have a large number of positive qualities, they have disadvantages. The negative qualities include:

• the composition of lamps of this type contains harmful components;
• work can only be carried out in the presence of high voltage. For this reason, they can only be used in conjunction with a powerful transformer;
• neon lamps are fragile because they are made of glass.

Having studied the positive and negative characteristics, one can come to the conclusion that neon sources have more positive characteristics than negative ones.

Kinds

There are several types of neon lights. Each of them has its own characteristics and features. For example, a neon warning light is a safety factor by adjusting the operation of transport systems. These include indicator lamps that can be used to illuminate the switch and other elements. Such lighting sources show the functionality of the devices.

Luminescent neon representatives are often used as lighting devices, as well as sources of radiation for school buildings, administrative structures, and residential buildings. Many manufacturers produce special types of lamps that are aimed at providing "sunbathing".

These light sources have many positive qualities:

• they are able to provide the territory with a lot of light;
• lamps increase the level of performance;
• contribute to the preservation of vision;
• reduce the degree of fatigue;
• have an effect on improving mood.

Decorative neon light sources are miniature light bulbs that are actively used as interior decor.

Such devices bring zest to the design of the room, increase the comfort of the room and make it more original.

Color solutions

As mentioned earlier, one of the positive properties of neon illuminations is their ability to reflect light of different colors. Only one neon tube is responsible for this feature. The color scheme is due to the composition of the components that are located in the flask:

• helium contributes to the creation of light pink and orange colors;
• argon is responsible for producing a blue glow;
• due to neon, green, white and other colors are obtained.

Based on the style of the room, with the help of neon lamps, you can create a rainbow, delicate or contrasting atmosphere in the room.

How to choose?

If you decide to buy a neon lamp, you should decide for what purpose you need it. Similar light sources can be used in different areas:

• as tuning for cars;
• in the field of decorative lighting of the interior;
• when creating light inscriptions, signs and signatures;
• to illuminate shop windows, structures, bridges and theater posters;
• for decoration of landscape design.

Depending on the purpose of lighting, you should choose a light bulb and its size along with a color scheme.

You should also take into account the mains voltage (127-220 V), take into account the voltage during the appearance of an electric discharge (60-550 V) and according to the maximum permissible current value (0.2-30 Ma). Knowing these characteristics, you can choose the most suitable type of lamps.

In addition to the neon lamp, there is a neon strip on sale called flexible neon. It looks like a 12 Volt LED string that is soldered into a PVC tube. There are solid and multi-colored options.

How to check?

To check the performance of the neon lamp, you should pay attention to it appearance and carry out a live test. You can also clarify the performance of the neon source by connecting it to the radio broadcasting network. To do this, you can use a low frequency transformer.

If it is not possible to use the network, it can be replaced with batteries and a low-frequency transformer. A power source and an interlamp source will do.

The lamp is checked using ballasts.

Electronic ballasts are often used to test modern lamps.

To test the lamps, use serviceable equipment that has the same parameters and is connected in a suitable way to the lamp under test. If the luminaire works normally with this method of connection, you should look for a malfunction in the unit itself.

You will learn more about neon lamps in the following video.

Examples in the interior

Neon lighting is able to blend harmoniously with the interior of your home. As a rule, this method is used in the following cases:

• in a stretch, suspended or multi-level ceiling;
• for lighting molding;
• as a lighting device for walls and columns;
• to accent floors, walls, steps and podiums;
• can be used in lamps;
• for decorating niches and various partitions.

Ceiling

You can decorate the ceiling in your apartment with neon lighting. Such an addition is able to focus well on various ceiling designs, its unusual shapes along with protrusions and levels. If you decide to use slit illumination (this method implies the visibility of light without visualizing the lamps themselves), you can visually increase the area of \u200b\u200bthe room, getting the "soaring" of the ceiling and its individual elements. Such a warrant would be perfect for small spaces.

In the role of a key lighting element, neon lamps with the desired color and shade can be used. Side lighting is used as auxiliary lighting. Such a design will only look harmonious with a perfectly smooth surface without defects.

Some people admit that it is due to the "floating" effect that they manage to fall asleep quickly.

Floor

Some apartments boast illuminated floors. This solution looks spectacular when paired with cornice and ceiling lighting. With this lighting solution, you can zoning a room, highlight the perimeter of the floor and highlight various shapes of geometric shapes.

Slit illumination with a "hover" effect is actively used. It is installed around the entire perimeter of the floor.

When you are equipping a floor light, pay attention to the precautions.Each lamp must be properly protected from moisture and mechanical stress. For such purposes, neons with an increased level of protection are suitable. Prefer light bulbs with moderate brightness. Some people use outdoor lighting as a guide in an unlit room, so bright options will dazzle and interfere.

In the bathroom, it is undesirable to use neon lamps on the floor, because in this room there is a possibility of contact with water. In the bedroom, this option is also inappropriate, since the floor lighting is located closer to eye level, making it difficult to relax.

One of the varieties of decorative or additional lighting when decorating a room is neon lighting. It has pros and cons, and installation difficulties. Therefore, we will consider what it is, how it works, what are the most optimal options for using it in the interior, how to do the installation yourself and what to look for when choosing materials and equipment.

Traditional neon illumination is based on glass tubes-lamps, closed from the external environment, filled with an inert gas. A feature of the work of such a lamp is a wide variety of colors. This explains its widespread use. The natural shade of light coming from such a source is red with pink. However, the use of a special surfactant on the bulb allows radiation to be directed to any part of the spectrum.

In addition to high aesthetic performance, neon lighting is appreciated by consumers due to the following number of advantages:

1. Uniformity of lighting.
2. A wide variety of colors.
3. Durability (at least 10-15 years).
4. Fire safety (the lamp does not heat up over forty degrees).
5. Safety for others.
6. Quiet operation.
7. Comfortable visual perception.

Of course, neon lighting is not without its drawbacks:

1. The impossibility of assigning pipes of a certain shape for interior elements with your own hands.
2. The need to install a step-up transformer.
3. The increased fragility of neon bulbs requires special care during their maintenance and cleaning.

In general, neon lighting, with the right choice of components and proper installation, is a good, durable and maintenance-free way of lighting a room.

How it works

At the heart of the neon lighting is a gas discharge tube. It is a glass flask sealed on both sides with electrodes connected at the ends, not connected to each other. A special substance is applied from its inner surface - a phosphor. Discharged neon is pumped inside it - a gas that does not interact with the materials of the device in the normal state.

As soon as a high voltage is applied to the electrodes, the atoms of the gaseous substance lose electrons and form ions - active elements. The latter, interacting with a substance sprayed on the flask, cause a glow - which is perceived as a neon illumination. Moreover, its color is completely determined by the composition of the phosphor.

Pay attention! To initiate a neon lamp requires a voltage of about 15 kV! Therefore, in the circuit of such a backlight system, there must be a step-up transformer.

Use in the interior

Neon illumination provides ample opportunities for interior decoration of apartments, houses, offices and any other premises. For example, these are areas such as:

1. Ceiling.
2. Cornice.
3. Columns.
4. Wall panels.
5. Floor and wall surfaces.
6. Steps, stairs, podiums.
7. Partitions and niches.
8. Separate lamps.

The main role of LEDs in the interior design of apartments and houses is illumination. And although, due to their brightness and low power consumption, they can be used as the main lighting, as a way of decoration they reveal themselves precisely through the backlight. LED strips (flexible surfaces covered with LEDs), and LED cords, and simple lamps, and lamps for which cases are made to order are also used.

What can be achieved with LED interior lighting?
1. Ceiling - night sky


If you want to create a night sky with iridescent stars on your ceiling, LEDs will help you! Small bulbs are randomly placed on the surface of a black or dark blue ceiling (it can be stretch or plasterboard ceilings) and flicker smoothly at night.


This interior decor looks especially impressive in large halls with high ceilings, but a small room will also be transformed with such a sky on the ceiling.
2. Additional hidden lighting


Aside from the obvious main lighting, LED lighting is often used in the corners under baseboards and moldings to highlight these areas and add volume. Often there are backlighting and plasterboard niches in the wall. Its peculiarity is that only the light itself is visible to the observer, and not its source.


The result: very soft light accents that add volume to the entire interior.
3. Artistic lighting of the walls


In addition to lighting niches, you can decorate the wall illumination in a much more original way. Such types of wall decoration of apartments and houses, such as drywall and stretched fabric, require the installation of metal slats at some distance from the wall. The resulting space is often used for laying utilities, but LED lamps can also be placed there.
Patterns are cut out in the plasterboard sheet and replaced with translucent materials or colored glass. The result can be even more spectacular than the night sky created in a similar way - just imagine what pictures on your walls can be made to literally shine!
4. Furniture lighting
In addition to lighting the room itself, you can also highlight furniture. This will give her a truly unusual shade (literally and figuratively). Very often, armchairs, sofas, beds and various glass furniture: wardrobes and tables are exposed to this decor.


But it will also add "club" shades to the interior, therefore it is suitable for apartments in modern design.
5. Illumination of accessories


Along with furniture, LEDs can be decorated with accessories and various decor: paintings, niches in the wall, mirrors, showcases, natural plants. But when planning LED lighting accessories in the interior, expect that they may not stay with you for a long time.
6. Functional lED lights


LED substitution in the interior can act not only as a decor, but also perform quite utilitarian functions. So, for example, LEDs perfectly act as lighting for stairs (we think that anyone who at least once groped for steps in the dark with their feet, the benefits of such lighting are obvious). Often, LEDs are also used to illuminate the work surfaces of a kitchen set. And indeed any place where you work.
7. LED lighting of sculptures and figurines


And one more option for using LED lighting is a variety of sculptures and figures made of glass or fabric on a frame. They can be found somewhere, made by yourself, or created to order. But just imagine an interior for which not just lamps act as lamps, but evenly glowing (for nothing that LEDs allow you to achieve uniformity) sculptures.


A floor lamp in the shape of a crane? Glass tree glowing from within? How about decorative frosted glass columns that, with a wave of the hand, become a source of light? Or "sculpting" from translucent materials, which will give soft light?
8. LEDs in different interior styles


By the way, best of all, LED backlighting gets along with modern interior styles. Such as minimalism, hi-tech, techno and others like them. However, the latter type of lighting, thanks to sculptural compositions, allows not only to get along with classics and high-tech illumination together, but also gives unique shades to the interior.
What can we offer?
LEDs are one of the most sustainable and modern lighting tools that, thanks to the creative work of designers, allows you to achieve truly "strong" results in the transformation of your home.