Dash Light Dimmer
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2005
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Dash Light Dimmer
One thing I'd love to see on the dressers is a dimmer for the dash lights. I know that when riding at night it would be nice to be able to dim them like in a car or like on a Goldwing. The **** could be placed in the same location but on the oposite side of the dash as the trip meter reset. Has anybody ever heard talk about this?
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RE: Dash Light Dimmer
Why not pick up the unit from a honda dealer and wire it in. It couldn't be much more than a rheostat that cuts down on the voltage to dim the lights. Check for the feed in the service manual and wire it in there
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RE: Dash Light Dimmer
TCSTD is correct. I am an EE & all you need is a variable resistor placed in line. Go to an electronic parts store like Radio shack or Fryâs and get one that looks pleasing to you. 1 hint is to find something that has a rubber grommet so H20 will not get into your electronics. Also solder & shrink wrap or tape the connection. This will save you a ton of time in the long run.
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From: earth
Not that simple. The lights on the large gauges are LEDs on the circuit card, there is no way to control the LEDs independant of the other elements. I asked the gauge light color changer guy about this one a long time ago. If you figure it out I'll pay for it.
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From: Ft. Worth, TX
A dual rheostat with one stack controlling the incandescent lighting and the next stack controlling the LEDs with the requisite resistors in line for the LEDs to make them dim at the same rate as the incandescents would work I believe. Shouldn't be too hard to figure out the values required for the resistors and the wiring should be very easy. I work on aircraft instruments every day and this seems pretty straight forward. If anyone in the DFW area wants to let me use their bike as a guinea pig I think they would be pleased with the end product. We would need to disassemble the instrument panel to take voltage measurements and create a plan that can be duplicated. Most of all be very careful not to screw something up! PM if interested.
Last edited by Juan L; Nov 12, 2012 at 11:11 PM.