Warning! EL Tape Issues!

[RaptorScrew]

If the end of the EL tape is not sealed with glue, tape, gaffers tape, etc. it could touch bare metal and cause a short to ground. Increasing amp through black box, causing overheating and melting.

I will have to check. I thought that I had taped the end with Black Electrical tape but not 100% sure... That might make sense.

 

[f16YODA]

Wait... you cut the tape off at the ends?

That's what I read in the main post about this because the exposed tape will fade in the sun eventually. Then you just cut that part off and shift the tape.

 

[Hockster]

That's what I read in the main post about this because the exposed tape will fade in the sun eventually. Then you just cut that part off and shift the tape.

Hmm... I thought that you couldnt cut the tape... When I looked at the tape I got it looked like it couldnt be cut.... hmm... So, I left mine long and covered it with black tape...

 

[RaptorScrew]

Hmm... I thought that you couldnt cut the tape... When I looked at the tape I got it looked like it couldnt be cut.... hmm... So, I left mine long and covered it with black tape...

I did that originally. But in the original thread about this mod I got the impression that you could cut the tape two times at 4" per time as the tape fades or goes bad...

Was I wrong in doing so?

 

[Squatting Dog]

I think it depends on type.. most EL tape can be trimmed.. The end needs to be sealed because the black box (invertor) turns the 12volts DC to 100 volts AC.. If the ends are not sealed (terminated) good, there could be leakage to ground.

 

[Hockster]

I did that originally. But in the original thread about this mod I got the impression that you could cut the tape two times at 4" per time as the tape fades or goes bad...

Was I wrong in doing so?

Hmm... well, it was a while ago when I did mine... I remember reading that... I have to research it but, i remember when I looked at the tape it looked like there was no place to cut it...

 

[Squatting Dog]

Hmm... well, it was a while ago when I did mine... I remember reading that... I have to research it but, i remember when I looked at the tape it looked like there was no place to cut it...

It depends on the EL tape manufacture and how the leads are connected to the tape. If it is the end of the tape or center..

 

[Raptor Retrofit]

I did that originally. But in the original thread about this mod I got the impression that you could cut the tape two times at 4" per time as the tape fades or goes bad...

Was I wrong in doing so?

You can cut it, Ive done it twice. 4" at a time and you get 3 new sections every time it fades. I've always sealed it back up with a few coats of super glue and never had a problem. The black spots are mold, I had them the very first time but they have never come back since Ive cut it ??? I would just recommend not completely soaking it with water when washing.

The $10 dollar inverter failing is not that big of a surprise, not exactly high end electronics. Good thing is you caught it in time before it caused any damage under the hood. Ive never hooked a volt meter up to find out but my guess is that it takes a amp or less to power these things, having a 3 amp fuse may have blown the fuse before melting the inverter. I agree though there must be a short somewhere causing the inverter to melt.

 

[Highroller]

I think it depends on type.. most EL tape can be trimmed.. The end needs to be sealed because the black box (invertor) turns the 12volts DC to 100 volts AC.. If the ends are not sealed (terminated) good, there could be leakage to ground.

I agree with your leakage to ground statement, but were would it ground out at, the fender is plastic, so no metal to ground too. Unless the EL Tape shorted inside itself.

 

[RaptorScrew]

I pulled the vent last night and the cut edge was sealed up with black electrical tape.

I'm not sure where it would short at. Thinking about pulling the mod. I don't need this thing to go up in flames or have major damage due to a $10 part!