interior light dimming to off

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akuhead

Member - Posts: 17

Joined: January 18, 2006

Location: United States

Posted: May 16, 2010 at 10:02 PM / IP Logged

Just back from vacation and my 50th high school reunion. Had a rental car that the interior lights that dimmed to off after door closing and slowly lit up when the doors were opened. I like that feature and am wondering if I could add it to my old car? Is it a box of some sort that does this, or a feature of some sort of car computor, or could the feature be added using relays, capacitors, etc?

My car is a 32 Ford, will be run on a 12 volt system

Thanks

Jim

i am an idiot

Platinum - Posts: 13,672

This member consistently provides reliable information

Joined: September 21, 2006

Location: Louisiana, United States

Posted: May 17, 2010 at 7:05 AM / IP Logged

This should be easily accomplished with a resistor, capacitor and a diode. All parts should be available at Radio Shack. I need to know a little more about the lighting circuit of the vehicle. Is the lamp supplied with a constant positive voltage and gets its ground via the door pin switch, or vice versa?

akuhead

Member - Posts: 17

Joined: January 18, 2006

Location: United States

Posted: May 17, 2010 at 11:27 AM / IP Logged

Thanks for the response. The lamp(s) will be supplied with constant 12 volts, and I'll probably use switches in the doors that ground upon opening. However, it doesn't have to be that way. I'm open to any and all options, as I'm just now starting to wire the vehicle. Any assistance is really appreciated

Jim

interior light dimming to off -- posted image.

howie ll

Pot Metal - Posts: 16,466

Joined: January 09, 2007

Location: United Kingdom

Posted: May 17, 2010 at 1:33 PM / IP Logged

Wired the way you said is how 90% of car interior lights are wired, you can also get a Velleman kit to do this, it's more sophisticated in that it will turn off your dome light(s) immediately you turn on the ignition. Or a DEI 528t with an extra ignition switched relay.

i am an idiot

Platinum - Posts: 13,672

Joined: September 21, 2006

Location: Louisiana, United States

Posted: May 18, 2010 at 6:21 AM / IP Logged

I will draw you a diagram tonight.

akuhead

Member - Posts: 17

Joined: January 18, 2006

Location: United States

Posted: May 19, 2010 at 12:00 AM / IP Logged

Thanks so much guys. I appreciate the info

oldspark

Gold - Posts: 4,913

Joined: November 03, 2008

Location: Australia

Posted: May 19, 2010 at 2:27 AM / IP Logged

Although I think I have a better circuit using a 2N3055, have a look at domelightdimmer91.

There are others using Op-Amps, but I think discrete components are better....

i am an idiot

Platinum - Posts: 13,672

Joined: September 21, 2006

Location: Louisiana, United States

Posted: May 19, 2010 at 8:49 AM / IP Logged

Oldspark, will that give him a gradual on and a dimming off?

oldspark

Gold - Posts: 4,913

Joined: November 03, 2008

Location: Australia

Posted: May 19, 2010 at 8:34 PM / IP Logged

No - only off. But that's explained in the article.

Should be easy to add a soft-on.... but I'm still looking for my older circuit.

akuhead

Member - Posts: 17

Joined: January 18, 2006

Location: United States

Posted: May 19, 2010 at 10:26 PM / IP Logged

Also, what's a 2N3055?

Thanks

Jim

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