Dash Illumination too bright

[mike150]

My car is new and has the current R series clocks..............the illumination of these is way too bright and that combined with the, not great headlights (even though they have Phillips Xtreme Vison bulbs) and the awkward position of the dip switch make driving the car at night difficult or at least more difficult than it should be as otherwise its an amazing experience in a 7 on a still mild night with no roof.

Is there an easy solution to the crazily glaring dash at night or does it mean taking all the clocks out and changing each bulb if at all possible?

[elie boone]

Maybe you can use these to soften the light : http://www.taninautoelectronix.com/Colored-bulb-cap-for-3mm-4mm-4-7mm-10mm-bulbs-p/bulb_caps.htm

[Jonathan Kay]

Lots of possibilities: lamps that are dimmer, caps as above, tape in the lens, variable resistor in the power feed.

But I don't know what that dash is like:

1. Are they LEDs or incandescant lamps? Can you add a photo of a lamp and a lampholder.
2. Is there a single power feed at some point? Do you have or would you like a wiring diagram?

Jonathan

PS: Lots of cars had variable intensity illumination, usually with resistors in the power feed. But the Sunbeam Stiletto had eyelids that you could flick to dim.

[pugwash]

My Elan has a switch that just turns all the dashboard illumination off completely. It's a bit strange driving like that in the dark but helps with the night vision given the candles it would have originally been fitted with in place of headlamps.

[SM25T]

That's not a comment you often hear about a Caterham ! If the bulbs are dimmable .... then a variable resistor (potentiometer) in the feed cable would do it. Now ... about making my large dials brighter !!

[nigelpugh]

The gauges in my new 620R are very bright in use at night too.

The current ones fitted to our cars are made by Caerbont Automotive.

http://www.caigauge.com/automotive

However I believe they use can bus led bulbs for illumination.

This would make them hard to dim using a pot or rheostat type control, as they could only be dimmed by using pulse width modulation to effectively slow down the speed they are flashing at, even though the human eye does not see it due to the speed they are flashing.

Not sure of any other easy way to dim the individual led bulbs in each gauge.

I do wonder if there is an ecu that controls the can bus feed to the units, if so that could be programmable to reduce the output, but I have now idea how it could be done.

I suspect we are stuck with the brightness as supplied,

[mike150]

As Nigel says they are Caerbont gauges, I attempted to take one apart tonight but they seem glued together so even having a look inside them is not possible.

[Jonathan Kay]

Hmmm... I'd ask Caerbont if they have any suggestions or if the brightness is controllable from the bus.

Jonathan

[nigelpugh]

Hi Mike, I have not even had a look at the construction of the gauges on my 620R, are you saying they are totally sealed, and even the led illumination can not be easily accessed?

[nigelpugh]

Yep I would say that's the best route to look at too.

I wonder if there is an easy way to look at the can bus control for the dash?

It might have a separate ecu located in the loom somewhere?.

[SLR No.77]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/b6t/12V-14V-LED-Bulb-Dimmer-Switch-Brightness-Controller/B008TNH68E

[justcallmemac]

A bit 'out of left field' I know but why not consider applying self adhesive, window tinting film to dull the glare. Would avoid the hassle of messing with the electronics.

Alternatively take the car in to a local wrap / window tinting specialist. That way they can overlay tinting film of various strengths until you find the right one, (in both daylight and darkness) and I'm sure they could then do a neat and tidy application job as well.

Just an idea! 

 

[Jonathan Kay]

Agreed, it might come to that if something clever doesn't come to light. But I'm not sure that you could find a film that is clear enough by day and shady enough by night.

Jonathan

[SM25T]

..... or paint the bulbs !

[Ian B]

A pair of these upside down might do it 

Unless the LEDs are constant voltage then the potentiometer type "dimmers" mentioned won't be any good. I suspect they may need a PWM controller but only the manufacturer would be able to confirm that (and often even they don't know as they're bought in assemblies).