Your new lightstrip has been engineered to be 'plug-and-play' upon delivery, but in order to get the most out of it, you will need to learn how to set it up. Please take a few minutes and read through these instructions I have put together to ensure you do things correctly, and avoid possibly causing damage to both yourself, and your computer.

(my disclaimer.....)

"The Tweakmonster is not responsible for any damage to any hardware caused by the installation of this lightstrip. If this is a problem for you, please return it to where you got it from."

Computer installation Instructions

1: First, figure out where you want to mount the lightstrip. Start applying the lightstrip from the end where the wires from the inverter connect to it. That will enable you to trim off the un-needed excess, although you don't have to. If you find the adhesive is giving you a hard time sticking, try heating it up SLIGHTLY with a hair dryer on LOW to make the adhesive a bit more sticky.

2: If you do end up trimming it down, wrap a small piece of scotch tape around the open end of the lightstrip where you just cut it. This will keep you and your computer components from receiving a shock roughly the equivalent of an automotive ignition coil if you do not cover it and accidentally touch the end.

3: Find a location to mount your power inverter (the little black box), preferably near the upper area of your case (the inverter creates a little bit of heat, and heat rises..I'm sure you get the idea) The best location would be near an exhaust fan. Use some double-sided tape to attach it.

4: Plug the Molex connector into your computer's power supply and then the connector in between the Lightstrip and the power inverter and your lightstrip is now installed. If you like, you can add a 12 volt switch in line with the RED wire to turn it on or off. See the diagram below for more details on how to do this. Enjoy!

NOTICE ABOUT POWER INVERTER NOISE:

You may notice a very slight humming noise coming from the power inverter. A small amount IS NORMAL, however it should not be so loud that it is noticable after installation. In other words, when mounted in a case with atleast one 80mm case fan, or a fan cooling the CPU, the noise should not be noticable. If you are dissatisfied or think your inverter is creating more noise than it should, then try wrapping the inverter in some electrical tape. This should help to all but eliminate the noise.

Note: Due to their design, the new revision 3 Lightstrips are NOT capable of being re attached to the inverter after cutting, so keep this in mind before you trim it down. After trimming, please wrap a small piece of scotch tape over the exposed end for insulation purposes.

Vehicle Installation Instructions

Our Advice… Although the inverter, connectors, and wiring harness are shielded, it is recommended that they not come into direct contact with pressurized water sprays or areas of high heat such as mufflers, motors, etc. For motorcycle applications, the best place to locate the inverter and connectors is under the seat or in a closed or shielded compartment. For automobiles, under the hood or in the interior are the best places.

1) Select the light circuit that you wish to activate your EL strip (turn signals, running lights, or brake lights), or purchase a 12V DC push button or toggle switch for turning the strip(s) on and off. We have mounted panel push button switches in the trunk compartment of motorcycles with good success.
2) Assure which wires are the hot and ground of the selected light circuit by tracing them from a light bulb socket (we recommend using a multi-meter during the installation process). Activate the light circuit and test the leads going into the light bulb socket of the circuit with your circuit tester or multi-meter.
3) Locate and mark the hot and ground wires of the circuit and disconnect the battery.
4) Assure that you have enough slack in the strip’s connector wire and power inverter to place the strip and locate the inverter, power connections, and connector terminal under the motorcycle seat or in a compartment.
5) If you are using a push button switch then skip to the next step. Using the stripping type quick splice connectors, splice the power inverter’s black lead to the ground wire of the light circuit and the red lead to the hot wire. Use common pliers to crimp the connectors closed.
6) Reconnect the battery and test the connection by connecting the power inverter to the EL strip with the connector terminal and turning the light circuit or your push button on. The EL strip should glow brightly in the dark. (In brightly lit areas, shield the strip from the ambient light to see it glow.) If the strip does not glow, recheck your connections.
7) Disconnect the strip from the inverter.
8) Pull the adhesive release liner off of the back of the EL strip and place the strip as desired. Press the strip down firmly to activate the adhesive.
9) Reconnect the strip to the inverter with the connector terminal.
10) Wrap all connections securely with electrical tape to protect them if the strip is used in a vehicle environment.
13) Neatly arrange your new wiring to prevent it from being pinched or worn by closures or moving parts.
14) Glow in peace!

The red wire is +12V, and the black wire is -12V.

Recommended tools and additional parts:

-Multi-meter
-Pliers and/or a crimp tool
-(2) Terminal connectors if attaching the inverter to a battery.
-Stripping type splice connectors if connecting to an existing 12V circuit
-Electrical tape
-Extra wire (depending on application)

Some hands-on modding computer Lightstrip application articles can be found here and here.

A hands-on motorcycle installation article can be found here.

Any questions, or comments can be directed here.