Grab Handle Lights

[DriverLost]

First off, I must say you need to know some stuff about wiring, using a drill, a feel for working with cheezy plastic.
In other words. Don't do this project if you are not experienced. This is not a first timer project, although it is a simple clean mod, it hasn't been tested and its not UL approved. :crazy: The end can get kinda hot and the pen may not handle the heat load for long operation. Be sure to read this all the way through before considering this mod. Myself, SciKoticS, Scion, and whoever else your slick lawyer thinks he's going to get famous from and make you a million dollars over your stupidity, are not liable.

With that being said, Lets begin! Shall we? :shock:

You need to have your favorite color cold cathodes from www.oznium.com and 4 bic pens to destroy.
http://upload4.postimage.org/917508/DSC03249.jpg (http://upload4.postimage.org/917508/photo_hosting.html)
First pop open the cover. A finger nail can sometimes get it. Be careful if you use a screw driver. Remember the cheap plastic part.
YOU DID READ THE DISCLAIMER RIGHT? :naughty: THERE IS STILL TIME TO QUIT. You didn't break anything yet right... or did you? :doh: http://upload4.postimage.org/917279/DSC03213.jpg (http://upload4.postimage.org/917279/photo_hosting.html)
Now remove the two 10mm bolts to remove the handle.
http://upload4.postimage.org/917570/DSC03214.jpg (http://upload4.postimage.org/917570/photo_hosting.html)
The next step is to drilll the handles just past the square window opening on both sides.
http://upload4.postimage.org/917595/DSC03225.jpg (http://upload4.postimage.org/917595/photo_hosting.html)
I use a drill bit that is slightly bigger than the pen to help dissipate heat. The resistors on the end get kinda hot.
http://upload4.postimage.org/917616/DSC03219.jpg (http://upload4.postimage.org/917616/photo_hosting.html)
Now pull the pen tip and guts out, and remove the end cap. The end cap doesn't come out easy any more. Makes it harder on them punk kids and their spit wads in school.
http://upload4.postimage.org/917695/DSC03220.jpg (http://upload4.postimage.org/917695/photo_hosting.html)
I broke a few pens working these suckers out. An allen wrench with a few blows on a solid surface worked for me. Good luck!
http://upload4.postimage.org/917699/DSC03221.jpg (http://upload4.postimage.org/917699/photo_hosting.html)
Now you need to grind down the tapered end to get close to 5 inches.
http://upload4.postimage.org/917733/DSC03227.jpg (http://upload4.postimage.org/917733/photo_hosting.html)
Remember, we want a slightly loose fit for the heat situation and that ape friend of yours that grabs your OS handle before you get a chance to tell him to be careful not to squeeze the snot out of it and snap your neon.
Now, carefully remove the GLASS neon tube from the cathode.

http://upload4.postimage.org/917803/DSC03229.jpg (http://upload4.postimage.org/917803/photo_hosting.html)
This pic shows how it threads through the exsisting windows on the handle.
http://upload4.postimage.org/917885/DSC03245.jpg (http://upload4.postimage.org/917885/photo_hosting.html)
Now carefully thread it into the pen.
http://upload4.postimage.org/917909/DSC03232.jpg (http://upload4.postimage.org/917909/photo_hosting.html)
Some fit loose inside. This is good; it cant go anywhere so calm down.
http://upload4.postimage.org/917924/DSC03234.jpg (http://upload4.postimage.org/917924/photo_hosting.html)
Here we have it. Three more to go. Easy A.

http://upload4.postimage.org/917948/DSC03235.jpg (http://upload4.postimage.org/917948/photo_hosting.html)
Some pics of the final install.
http://upload4.postimage.org/917997/DSC03244.jpg (http://upload4.postimage.org/917997/photo_hosting.html)
http://upload4.postimage.org/918006/DSC03242.jpg (http://upload4.postimage.org/918006/photo_hosting.html)
http://upload4.postimage.org/918016/DSC03241.jpg (http://upload4.postimage.org/918016/photo_hosting.html)
Like I said in the begining, I only have about 6 hours consistent run time on these. I took them apart to check them and one had some heat damage from a tight resistor. The resistor is the bulge on the wire end into the tube.
http://upload4.postimage.org/918055/DSC03238.jpg (http://upload4.postimage.org/918055/photo_hosting.html)
DO NOT LEAVE THEM ON UNATTENDED. I barely use mine, so my 6 hour test was a beyond max for me.

This mod is open for discussion on impovements, comments, or whatever at any time.

[fsu1dolfan]

Nice idea...and great look...but the heat is not a good thing...plus people occasionally use them in my car and they would probably break them.....like it though!!!

[DriverLost]

.but the heat is not a good thing.
Its not that bad. I'm just covering our rear end. :wink:
If someone uses these lights more than on occasion for long periods of time. I would not recomend it.

plus people occasionally use them in my car and they would probably break them
They're up against the inside of the handle and would almost take a little effort to break.

[FrankenScion]

I saw these last week in person and I have to say that this is the best Macguyer mod I have ever seen, hands down. :up:

[Sciko Hubby]

If you had some old 12" tubes laying around could you cut them to 5" so you would have thicker tubes for the heat? Or are they too big to drill the holes in the handle? Nice job though.

[DriverLost]

I saw these last week in person and I have to say that this is the best Macguyer mod I have ever seen, hands down.
Thanks. He's my hero. :pilot: My hand gun made out gum rappers never worked like his, but it looks cool. :rofl2:


If you had some old 12" tubes laying around could you cut them to 5"
Ya, the're pretty thick. But would be worth a try. The're cheep enough to mess around with.

[Sciko Hubby]

Cool!

[blackboxrc]

now that is some high class low budget fabrication. :bow: :bow:

beautiful work. looks awesome. :up:

to bad you beat me to it :rofl:

good job on the walk through as well !

[DriverLost]

Thanks Ryan.

Chad I think your on to something with the 12" cut down. :ponder: It shuld take care of both set backs, strength and heat.

I guess I need to place an order next payday :)

[blackboxrc]

the tubes that the cathodes come in from oznium. are they glass or lexan tubes??
got an idea for a nice lounge looking dome light . :ponder:

[DriverLost]

are they glass or lexan tubes
All I know is that they're not glass, probably a type of lexan.

[blackboxrc]

thanks Rob :up:

[um_lunchbox]

Great Idea .. now lets get someone to make the entire Oh Shit Handle out of Plexi or some other clear plastic, frost them, add LED's to the ends and make functional lighted Oh Shit Handles .... Killer Glass, is this up your alley ?

[fsu1dolfan]

Great Idea .. now lets get someone to make the entire Oh Shit Handle out of Plexi or some other clear plastic, frost them, add LED's to the ends and make functional lighted Oh Shit Handles .... Killer Glass, is this up your alley ?


YES YES YES....thats what i was thinking and want!!!

[um_lunchbox]

OK Hedge hog .. you're going away soon, try and get somewhere with the idea and make your trip productive

[xscionB]

That looks damn good! I must remember this for later reference...

[DriverLost]

That looks damn good! I must remember this for later reference...
Thanks , I hope to try Chad's idea with thw modified 12" tubes soon. :ponder:

I'll let you know here if it works out.

[ciscob]

Great Idea.

[xscionB]

Those pics don't do em' justice... :blink2:

[midnightxb]

so how did the job cost in total?

[aalbertson3]

Or you could try some of these options: http://www.clubxb.com/forums/f29/2941-diy-adding-cold-cathodes-oh-s/

If you read through the pages other members improve on the original idea. :up:

[DriverLost]

so how did the job cost in total?

Not much over the price of the cc's. So under $30.00

f you read through the pages other members improve on the original idea.
Ya no doubt. That Scionetics guy was a dick. :x: Replys like that would keep all my idea's to myself.
Anyway, the pen idea is going to need some improvement. I had them on another 5 hours continuos at a show last Saturday, and I have another one a little warped.

The pens are easy enough to replace with out taking them all apart. I also like how you can't see them untill there on, and the os can still fit a hand in there and be used. My next batch of pens will get some vent holes drilled in a few spots, and will see if that helps.

I hope to come up with a cool unique final design with some fresh input here.

[aalbertson3]

Rob I can't wait to see your final design. I might try putting 2 LEDs on each side of the handles and see how they look. :pilot:

[DriverLost]

Rob I can't wait to see your final design.
Thanks. I think it will be the 12" tubes cut down to fit.

I might try putting 2 LEDs on each side of the handles and see how they look.
The bad part about LED's is to get them to shine where you want, causes you to see the bulbs, or gives you a small round spot of light.

I spend allot of time getting assorted lights out of view. I just want to see the light, not the source of light. My anal retentiveness area exposed :oops:

[Huber]

Looks clean....keep up the nice work....thanks for the info on the mod