LEDs in Interior Question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 859
Likes: 17
From: Houston TX
LEDs in Interior Question
I recently finished converting my dash to analog gauges and while doing so, I installed LEDs in the gauges and A/C controller (my aftermarket stereo is blue, so I wanted them all to match).
Anyway, the "Bright Headlights" indicator is W-A-Y too bright and the small gauges are much brighter than the Tach/Speedo.
My question is, does an LED respond to installing a resistor inline like an incandescent light bulb does?
If anybody has experience with resistors on these lights, what sizes should I test with?
Anyway, the "Bright Headlights" indicator is W-A-Y too bright and the small gauges are much brighter than the Tach/Speedo.
My question is, does an LED respond to installing a resistor inline like an incandescent light bulb does?
If anybody has experience with resistors on these lights, what sizes should I test with?
Pro
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 677
Likes: 3
From: Metairie LA
LED's will dim with added resistance, but I need to know how the lighting circuit is run. Are the LED's all in series with each other, are any of them in series with each other, or are they ready bought LED's with socket bases (they would all be paralleled)? How many LED's are there total?
As to which resistor's to try, Google: LED calculator and fill in the blanks. It will get you in the ball park and add more resistance to dim them.
An idea: if the small gauges are too bright, run those in series with each other on their own 12 volt circuit They will be dimmer than if they are running parallel to each other. If they are paralleled then they will each need their own resistor.
The Bright Headlight indicator will have to be on its own with an appropriate resistor.
Hope that this helps.
As to which resistor's to try, Google: LED calculator and fill in the blanks. It will get you in the ball park and add more resistance to dim them.
An idea: if the small gauges are too bright, run those in series with each other on their own 12 volt circuit They will be dimmer than if they are running parallel to each other. If they are paralleled then they will each need their own resistor.
The Bright Headlight indicator will have to be on its own with an appropriate resistor.
Hope that this helps.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
Yes adding resistors will work. Depending on the style/type most 12 volt LEDs will require a minimum of 9 volts to be illuminated. Pick up a multi valued resistor pack of from the Shack and try different values until you get what your after.
Last edited by engle1147; May 28, 2010 at 11:13 AM.
