I recently installed some lighting inside the interior of my cabinets over the cook area. We had been using a flashlight when ever we needed something and that was getting old. I even put in a battery powered fluorescent light but it of course got left on and killed the batteries.

I experimented with some LEDS but soon abandoned the idea for lack of light output.

Instead I chose a computer lighting effect kit.

Or better known as a "Cold Cathode Fluorescent Light Kit. $14.95 at Fry's electronics.

Each tube uses 5ma of current.

The kit I bought comes with two 12 inch cathodes, a power supply and an on and off switch.

I rigged it up using micro switches that are activated when the cabinet doors are opened.

The photos below are pretty much self explanatory. I will ad a schematic soon.

The wire tie mounts I used may have to be replaced with staples as they are not holding to the surface very well. The tubes are incased in a plastic container and do come with double sided foam stick tape.

A word of caution, the cathodes are very fragile, handle them with care.

As you can see by the bottom photo they are really bright. I still have some tidying up to do with the wiring but you can get the basics from the photos.

As of this writing we have not taken them on a trip so I can not say how durable they will be. I do plan on removing the wire tie mounts and using staples to secure the wire ties.

Started a thread on the forum for this project. Any questions please post them there.

http://toyotamotorhomes.com/forum2/index.php?showtopic=39

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The micro switches just complete the positive side of the circuit when activated.

I wired everything prior to installation.

Use 1 inch long screws to hold the micro switches in place.

I had to bend the taps to better contact the door when closed.

The wires all become hidden behind the cabinets top frame.

Interior view.

View with lights on, no flash was used for photo.