Lights come on as it gets dark

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Lights, Neon, LEDs, HIDs
Forum Discription: Under Car Lighting, Strobe Lights, Fog Lights, Headlights, HIDs, DRL, Tail Lights, Brake Lights, Dashboard Lights, WigWag, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=84342
Printed Date: May 14, 2025 at 3:02 AM

Topic: Lights come on as it gets dark

Posted By: jeremey1000
Subject: Lights come on as it gets dark
Date Posted: October 19, 2006 at 11:50 AM

Has anyone ever tryed to use a photosenser to have there lights come on as it gets dark? I know that there are a few models that have it. My main problem is that I have only found 110v sensors. I have been told by a not so reliable person that the 110v will work with 12v also but im not goint to hack at it if im not sure.
I know its not some great add on but I love custom!

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Jeremey1000 Has Spoken

Replies:

Posted By: Velocity Motors
Date Posted: October 20, 2006 at 11:02 AM

Here is some information on the automotive twilight sensors. Look at the bottom of the page for contact information for purchase.

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Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA

Posted By: Custom_Jim
Date Posted: October 20, 2006 at 12:15 PM

I bought an NOS Chevrolet twilight sentinal kit for my 74 Nova a few years back and while I haven't installed it as yet it was designed as a plug and play for that ere vehicle. The light sensor I have looks real similiar to one that Jeff linked to (it twists in like a dash light socket). I'll post a link later to the shots of the one I have (I even took it apart to see the electronics in the control box and also got the wiring diagram for it). Yep, there's nothing like customizing something to suit your tastes.

Jim

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1968 Chevy II Nova Garage Find 2012
1973 Nova Custom
1974 Spirit of America Nova
1973 Nova Pro-Street

Posted By: KPierson
Date Posted: October 20, 2006 at 2:18 PM

I've made light sensors out of photocells availible at Radioshack and 741 op amps. Total cost - $3

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Kevin Pierson

Posted By: 93cougarxr7se
Date Posted: October 21, 2006 at 5:02 PM

Got some more info on that? ^

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87 Astro 4.3L; Eclipse CD5000
88 Bronco 351W on 32x11.5x15 Yokohamas, Clarion Phaze 1 Components.

Home: MTX Thunder8000 in truck box & Parts Express amp.

Posted By: KPierson
Date Posted: October 21, 2006 at 5:34 PM

https://home.cogeco.ca/~rpaisley4/PhotoDetectors.html

That is very similar to what I built. It's a pretty simple circuit. Basically if one side of the op amp has a higher voltage then the other side the output turns on. You can use the photocell to turn the amount of light in to a voltage.

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Kevin Pierson