PWM dimmer for instrument backlighting after upgrading to LEDs
02-03-2013, 08:38 PM
#121
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ed - for some years implementation it could replace the delay relay - however for the later cars the relay is integrated into the Alarm, Lock & Interior light Module - so that's problematic for a single module, on the earliest cars the lights were switched directly - so 3 general configurations...
The delay relay does have constant power & ground pins available... however probably still best to have a single version that gets spliced in after the relay/module for cars with either or switched for cars with just that...
The control function is switch to ground. So you have the In/Out spliced into the existing circuit (In as a trigger only w/ pull up Rx and out as a new PWM switched to ground) then you'd need the additional power & ground connections.
I think a lot of folks would like this feature, and while not completely plug & play - it would be fairly easy to do.
Alan
The delay relay does have constant power & ground pins available... however probably still best to have a single version that gets spliced in after the relay/module for cars with either or switched for cars with just that...
The control function is switch to ground. So you have the In/Out spliced into the existing circuit (In as a trigger only w/ pull up Rx and out as a new PWM switched to ground) then you'd need the additional power & ground connections.
I think a lot of folks would like this feature, and while not completely plug & play - it would be fairly easy to do.
Alan
nice work!
02-04-2013, 12:14 PM
#123
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WOW..its so cool to watch it all progress. Its a great talent to be able to design and build something from scratch.
I LOVE the LED lighting in my car. This will make the dash perfect.
When i open the door in my car now at night its as if the sun just came up...i can see everything!
I LOVE the LED lighting in my car. This will make the dash perfect.
When i open the door in my car now at night its as if the sun just came up...i can see everything!
02-09-2013, 10:40 PM
#124
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Saturday night teaser: ten units, ready to go.
Now I'm off to get a pizza dinner.
(large version)
(large version)
Now I'm off to get a pizza dinner.
(large version)
(large version)
02-09-2013, 11:00 PM
#128
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For the first ten (and maybe more), it's going to be $40 (plus shipping; probably about $6) for Rennlist members (that's cheaper than two LED brake light bulbs from SuperBrightLEDs). I just want to get a few out there.
I'll probably need to adjust that price at some point, as these take me awhile to build and I need to figure out how to reduce the build time. And I'd like to get some feedback from the initial buyers to get a better sense of perceived value. I suspect I'm going to have a hard time making enough fast enough to meet initial demand. I haven't done the math yet, but I think I'd need to sell way more of these than I could ever make to get my development costs back.
But like I said way back in this thread, this was more about the journey for me than making money.
I'm not quite ready for orders, although I might contact a few people whom I've been stringing along for ages and get them taken care of first.
Oh... for anyone who wants to solder their own, I'd sell it in kit form for $30 (plus shipping). You'd just need to do the soldering; enclosure would be ready to go, labeled, etc.
I need to head out... I'll be back in a couple of hours.
I'll probably need to adjust that price at some point, as these take me awhile to build and I need to figure out how to reduce the build time. And I'd like to get some feedback from the initial buyers to get a better sense of perceived value. I suspect I'm going to have a hard time making enough fast enough to meet initial demand. I haven't done the math yet, but I think I'd need to sell way more of these than I could ever make to get my development costs back.
But like I said way back in this thread, this was more about the journey for me than making money.I'm not quite ready for orders, although I might contact a few people whom I've been stringing along for ages and get them taken care of first.
Oh... for anyone who wants to solder their own, I'd sell it in kit form for $30 (plus shipping). You'd just need to do the soldering; enclosure would be ready to go, labeled, etc.
I need to head out... I'll be back in a couple of hours.
02-10-2013, 10:18 AM
#131
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Ed,
Classy job - all the way down to the cases & labels - that was quite the project!
Not that I'm surprised one little bit though...!
Alan
Classy job - all the way down to the cases & labels - that was quite the project!
Not that I'm surprised one little bit though...!
Alan
02-10-2013, 01:08 PM
#133
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Ed: I think your pricing is a steal, given all the work you have done on this project till date!
I continue to be - more than - interested in a DIY kit (can't beat the smell of fresh flowing solder in the morning
).
I continue to be - more than - interested in a DIY kit (can't beat the smell of fresh flowing solder in the morning
).
02-10-2013, 01:13 PM
#134
Rennlist Member
Ed, Beautiful craftmanship there. The 79 cluster is now out of the car. Would you be interested in performing the led upgrade along with one of your dimmers ? Of course I would pay you for your time, all the bulbs required, and shipping the cluster, etc both ways. PM 77tony
Last edited by 77tony; 02-10-2013 at 02:18 PM.
02-10-2013, 01:32 PM
#135
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My wife sat and watched the CAM cutting the slots. Blown away. So once you tend to the early adopters, and if you make some more, just pop a PM my way and she will send payment. Adjust price if you need to. Wants brighter lights on her 86 dash.