Congrats to cmgrafmc for the LED opera light conversion idea, but I think I found something a little closer to stock. I've found something that will allow you to use the existing opera lights on the car and get them to light up again. The stuff is called Californeon (http://www.californeon.com/frontPage.htm) and the whole idea behind this is it's like a refill for the stock EL lamps. It's like $6 a foot for this stuff, you can cut it to length etc. I'm pretty sure that it doesn't require any transformer bypassing of any kind since the stuff is EL light and should require the same ammount of power as the stock ones. It will last longer than any junkyard replacement you'd be able to find too and glows neon bright. Looks like these things are the perfect solution for "Stockies" like me who don't wanna mess with the original look of the car and want functioning opera lamps. I'm gonna buy a couple of feet or so and try them out.

WOOT! Go for it! I love the idea, but I have to say I'm quite fond of the lights I got. At first I wasn't sure but I get tons of looks. =P I'll take a look at this stuff, but I'm not looking foward to RE-RE-WIRING everything. LOL

I'm thinking of adding matching blue ground effects. =)

Keep us posted on the EL lights, k? Oh, and how do you crack open the originals? I haven't tried coz I don't wanna ruin what I have...and finding 'em at junkyards out here is impossible.



UPDATE! I just checked the site and DAY-AM (not sure of the spelling there). I don't have to rewire, either! They can use 110 OR 12V! Hurrah! Bless you, DopeStar! :worship:

WOOT! Go for it! I love the idea, but I have to say I'm quite fond of the lights I got. At first I wasn't sure but I get tons of looks. =P I'll take a look at this stuff, but I'm not looking foward to RE-RE-WIRING everything. LOL

I'm thinking of adding matching blue ground effects. =)

Keep us posted on the EL lights, k? Oh, and how do you crack open the originals? I haven't tried coz I don't wanna ruin what I have...and finding 'em at junkyards out here is impossible.



UPDATE! I just checked the site and DAY-AM (not sure of the spelling there). I don't have to rewire, either! They can use 110 OR 12V! Hurrah! Bless you, DopeStar! :worship:
Hooray! I wonder who unstuck my thread? Oh well prolly a glitch, I'll just restick it. THere's no good way to crack open the stock lights, you'll have to clue them closed afterwards. I think this is a great solution for me who doesn't want to mess with the stock look of the car. You don't have to remove your LED's, they're prolly longer lasting than these. I concider this more of a B method.

"B method" or not, it's the answer to many a prayer. If you do this (and please do) I'll be very excited and interested to see the results. While my lights may last longer, they are clearly NOT stock. They blend in nicely but are a bit big IMHO. This EL replacement material would be ideal for retaining the stock appearance and minimizing fuss. Go for it, ASAP...I'm impatient. LOL

"B method" or not, it's the answer to many a prayer. If you do this (and please do) I'll be very excited and interested to see the results. While my lights may last longer, they are clearly NOT stock. They blend in nicely but are a bit big IMHO. This EL replacement material would be ideal for retaining the stock appearance and minimizing fuss. Go for it, ASAP...I'm impatient. LOL
LOL! I just placed my order, the company's in NJ so it shouldn't take too long to arrive. I'm excited too, I'm just unsure how I'll connect them since there's no exposed metal it appears to do so.

Did you also order the whatsabobs? The electrical doohickies. Not "resistors," not "transformers..." What the heck are they called? I'm too lazy to look at the site. Those elecamatronic whizbangs you need to power the strips.

Nop. They're connectors, all they do is attach two wires to the strip, I'm pretty sure i can do it without those, besides, they'd never fit inside the light.

I got my light strips today! I'm gonna try to wire them in and see if they work! Weee! Pics if it works!

Ahh failure! I may need to order those little connectors. If that doesn't work then my transformer in my trunk prolly went. Crap on a stick. I encourage other people to give this a try. Maybe you can succeed where I've failed.

Remember, the opera lamps are wired in series. One dies, and it kills the power to the one on the other side. Did you have a Californeon strip on each side?
I know they're in series because when I installed some then-available OEM opera lamps on my 88 Brougham in 2000, they wouldn't work until I plugged-in the second lamp. Please tell me you forgot this, and give some hope to us with burned-out opera lamps. I recommend going to the junkyard for the inverter. 1980-1989 Brougham. How did you get the opera lamp lens off? The way I've seen it done is to gently pry out with a flathead screwdriver behind the top of the lamp while it's still installed on the car. This causes the plastichrome part of the lamp to flex, and the clear piece to pop-off.

One more thing.....to make things go quicker on your second attempt. I think using a paperclip to 'jump' the two copper leads on the opposite side lamp will work. If you go as far to remove the lamp and get to the connector, I think the brown(power) and black (ground) wires need to be jumped. How much did the stuff cost?

We're not anxious or anything, but, post post post! =)

Remember, the opera lamps are wired in series. One dies, and it kills the power to the one on the other side. Did you have a Californeon strip on each side?
............................Whoops!

Any news?

I've completed the right Opera light I broke the connectors on the left one so I need to go out and buy another left opera light. Once I finish that one we'll know if they light up. Still on it though don't worry. I've got DopeStars Inc.'s best scientists working on this one.

I'm not putting any pressure on you at all.

<HURRY HURRY HURRY HURRY HURRY HURRY>

I'm not putting any pressure on you at all.

<HURRY HURRY HURRY HURRY HURRY HURRY>
LOL! You ass.

Question:

How many Dopes does it take to screw in a light strip?

Answer:

More than one, apparently.

=P


I AM an ass... =(

Question:

How many Dopes does it take to screw in a light strip?

Answer:

More than one, apparently.

=P


I AM an ass... =(
LOL! If they screwed in I'd be done by now!

So what's the process here? Having wiring issues? Did you have to order the "connectors?" Maybe I can help.

Nop, I just gotta find time to get to the junkyard. I'm pretty busy these days.

Pshaw, man! Tut tut! What has a youth to do but whittle away the hours laboring over his prized vehicle? Don't tell us you have a *GASP!* ... JOB?!

Hahah the Caddy's gotta eat ya know. I'm also trying to save up for a special little 69 SDV in black with purple metallic flakes I found.

Oh yeah, in case you haven't figured it out, you may as well disregard my advice to jump the wires on the opposite side B-pillar to simulate an opera lamp for your ops check. There ain't even a black wire for the opera lamps, according to the previous thread about using the aftermarket ones. Out of the four original opera lamp wires, I don't know which to jump for test purposes.
Are you bypassing the inverter to run the lamps off of 12V DC or keeping it to retain the 110V AC? Sorry for the brain fart, there.

Hello, I removed the opera lights by removing the plastic trim panel on the interior column (6 screw, 3 on each side). Pull back the insulation to expose a series of screws (4). Once unscrewed, the opera light comes away from the outside chrome piece, exposing the light. Theres a tab on the top end that pops open the lens. Be careful, I snapped the lens at the bottom, but once I put the chrome piece back on the broken end cant be seen. I only saw two wires or connector, both the same color, copper. What I didnt see was how to disconnect the damn thing. Also, the element is like tape, what the.......

Are you bypassing the inverter to run the lamps off of 12V DC or keeping it to retain the 110V AC? Sorry for the brain fart, there.
I'm running these on 110. If don't have to rewire I don't want to.

If anyone is interested, I found opera light! Thats the good. The bad is it'll cost an arm and a leg. Also, you cant just buy the light element, you have to by the complete unit. Thats the chrome housing, lenses, and light element. Plus, you can only buy the unit for the Rt side. No Lt side in stock. I guess if you wanted to buy the unit and take the light element out you could. Cost: approx $86 bones a piece.

Ouch... I can't believe GM still makes the opera lamps for the 90-92 Broughams. I wish they still made the 80-89 lamps.

I dont think they make they as much as they still have the Rt side in stock.
Cant you use the light element? Award chevy--Crestview FL

Ouch... I can't believe GM still makes the opera lamps for the 90-92 Broughams. I wish they still made the 80-89 lamps.
Dopestar, I still have some invertors if you need one.

blaze@misn.com

Blaze

Dopestar, I still have some invertors if you need one.

blaze@misn.com

Blaze
Invertors? Refresh my memory, which thing is that?

Invertors? Refresh my memory, which thing is that?
The thing that takes 12 volts and turns it into 110 volts so the opera lamps can work. The transformer, you might call it, but it is actually a invertor.

Blaze

Ohhh, well I don't think I need that since these lights run off 110 and I'm pretty sure mine works. If not I'll let you know.

What's going on lately?

*COUGH*


Awwwwwkwaaaaaard...

*HACKING, WET COUGH*

No news is BAD news, my friend.


*Indiscriminate muttering*

I dont know much about these Opera Lights. My 90 Brougham has them, i like them, wish they were brighter though. I looked at a 90 D Elegance for a parts car. Guy said the opera lights are worth some $$. I want the car for parts, but not for $500. 140k. white on red leather. runs drives. missing 2 hubcaps, top is shit. nice emblems, that i want, along with the antanna. Body parts would go right on my car.

Hey i havent seen any news on the Opera Lamps with the Califoneon stuff? Want to get mine going. Thanks

Yeah, sorry about the delay here but I haven't had much free time to work on the lights. Between work and school I am swamped for time. I still intend to get them going so when I do you'll hear from me.

Hey Dope. No problem. I understand. I was out in my Brougham Saturday night and checked the passenger side and guess what. I have one working opera lamp! Couldn't believe it! So now what to do what to do. I also have a set of the real wire Cadillac wheels coming this week. Can't wait to put them on the car. Hope all is well and thanks for the update

Dude, nice score on the wheels! Let's seem 'em!

As Requested Here is before and after
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2168774
Let me know what you think

Glad to see there is some discussion on this! I am having the same problem with my 87 B ham. My mech has ordered two different power inverters and neither one has worked.

What are the L E D retro fit solutions, if any?

Where is the inverter located ? I would like to check to see if my is bad before I go tearing into the interior if possible

on the '89 Brougham it is located in the trunk behind the fabric covered panel
drivers side. about half way rearward on the quarter panel from the trunk hinge. You will see the cable harness,really no way to test it. Are there any updates from anyone on this?
These stupid lights cause everyone grief, maybe a limo bulb type replacement
would work.:crying2:

on the '89 Brougham it is located in the trunk behind the fabric covered panel
drivers side. about half way rearward on the quarter panel from the trunk hinge. You will see the cable harness,really no way to test it. Are there any updates from anyone on this?
These stupid lights cause everyone grief, maybe a limo bulb type replacement
would work.:crying2:

Here is a link to a similar product in England, pretty cool
http://www.litewave.co.uk/products.asp

The Californeon may be the way to go, but does it wire directly to the battery? Then it stays on all the time or what. You probably will need all the
extra stuff that goes with it, inverter, connectors etc. The answer is out there somewhere.