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Any LED experts out there?

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milemarker60

milemarker60

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I installed some LEDs for my turn signal and high beam indicators but they are seriously too bright. Does anyone know if there is a way to "pad" the lights to dim them down a little. Currently great for daytime use but they will illuminate the cockpit at night - very distracting.

Specs found here - they are obviously the 12v/14v variants.

https://www.ledtronics.com/ds/PPS312/

Thanks,
 
Cool comany...

I bet you $5 they've heard of this before. I would contact them for a solution(there is a "contact us" link on their site). Probably simple - resistor inline?

Adam H.
____________________________________________________________
1972 Triumph Spitfire.
 
Simple problem to fix. You need to insert additional resistance in series with the LED's, but you may want this only at night time, so install a circuit that engages when you turn on your main beams. When I have more time I can send you a circuit diagram. Good luck!
 
use of resistance is correct in series with the lights. IMHO, you should able to find a resistance that reduces the brightness for day as well as night without switching resistances. i'm thinking somewhere around 1k, 2.2K to 5Kohms 1/2 watt resistors might do it.
 
I deal with this company all the time with my work. They are a great bunch to work with if you get to the right people. I would suggest contacting them and asking for some one in engineering and ask them for help. I'd be surprised if you cant get your kunundrum handled.
 
[ QUOTE ]
use of resistance is correct in series with the lights. IMHO, you should able to find a resistance that reduces the brightness for day as well as night without switching resistances. i'm thinking somewhere around 1k, 2.2K to 5Kohms 1/2 watt resistors might do it.

[/ QUOTE ]


Would you guys mind speaking English, or even British. This stuff is total Greek to me, and probably at least 3 other forum members. Guess I will just keep my nice, dull interior lights.


Bill
 
agree with Fred above. but to be sure call and ask what resistance is in series. you may have to experiment a little because the current through the led and illumination intensity are not linear. I am thinking that you should add maybe 30 to 50 percent more resistance. How to do it, see attached.
 
as frank stated above, you will have to experiment with the above resistances to find the brightness you want. the led only lights in one direction (polarity) so make sure you understand which way to install the wiring. you can't really damage the led connecting backwards so if it doesn't light just reverse the wiring. i also agree with contacting the manufacturer. they will probably be able to tell you what to do.
 
Frank, got the email and responded. Thanks a lot, doesn't look to be a problem and I like the idea of the brightness switching with the lights. In aircraft we have a day/night switch for back lit annunciators as there are no headlights to wire a circuit into. Should work great.

Alan, I called them and sweet talked them into selling me just a few to try on an "aircraft project" and set up an account through my office. They woould only let me order two of each (red, blue, green) and only had one Blue in stock at the time which I was fine with. I had one red left over that I sacrificed in the process. Sorry.
 
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