interior light dimming to off

There are going to be three light bulbs controlled by this circuit. Probably all three will be 3 watts. I don't know about the time to off function. Maybe 5-10 seconds, no more. I'm not particular. Just thought it would be kinda cool.

You guys are great and have a super forum. I really appreciate you all taking the time to give me suggestions, etc.

Thanks again

Jim

I'm still looking.... I know I also saw the real device recently - a T03 packaged 2N3055 with the components bird's-nested on (no PCB etc). If I find that, I can reconstruct the circuit diagram. The 2N3055 handles a max of 15A; 10A is reasonably common. Mine wasn't heatsinked, but was covered in araldyte (because the case of the 2N3055 is "live") and it would get warm-hot with a 10W bulb whilst actually dimming. (That's why I wrote "live" instead of "hot" - ie, +12V.) Anyhow, 1A of load is no problem, but higher requires a heatsink. These days dimming id done with PWM circuits so there is minimal heat.    Of course, it's probably easier designing from scratch...

Victory to the patient! (Read: As a foggy photographic memory clears...) From "Simple Projects from Electronics Today" page 85 (Published 1975): The circuit: And its birdsnest layout: It is connected in parallel with the grounding door switch (ie "+VE" to switch & "-VE" to GND/chassis). Be aware that the 2N3055 body is hot - both in terms of being +12V (but thru the dome/courtesy light) when the door switch is open, and also during operation depending on the load. The circuit could be on the hot-side of the lamp provided the switch shorts out +VE & -VE (as in +ve chassis/GND vehicles). When off, there should be no battery drain. Operation: The door switch closes (& turns the light on), C1 is discharged through D1. (REM - the door switch shorts the circuit's +VE to -VE) The door is closed (door switch opens) & transistors Q1&Q2 are turned on.    C1 charges via R1 & R2 gradually turning off Q1 (which turns of Q2). C1 is chosen for ~full brightness for ~4 seconds followed by ~10 seconds of dimming. But the timing depends on transistor gains and the load so different C1 values could be used. Resistors are 1/2W. EM401 ca be IN4004 etc. C1 can be 25V etc. The 2N3055 gets hot mainly when dimming. Depending on frequency of use & lamp load, a heatsink may be required. The 2N3055 handles up to 15A. (Someone else can do a di/dv & time integrate to determine max loads without heatsinking (Ptot=115W).)    Now to add a soft turn-on (for whoever wanted it....)