The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network - View Single Post - Anyone put LED BULBS in the Dash Cluster yet?

boxrodz · 03-07-2006, 03:58 AM

I probably take a different approach to dimming the LEDs.

I'd drive the LEDs with the correct forwarding voltage to guarantee that the LEDs are operating in the correct voltage range (and for optimum brightness). As chevychic said, LEDs are either 'on' or 'off'. To create the dimming effect, use a PWM (Pulse Width Modulator) instead. They use a pot(entiometer) that allows the user to vary the duty cycle. By doing so, you can change the frequency and length that the LEDS 'blink' on and off. The cycle in which they blink is not detected by the eye as a blink, but more as a dimming effect (so long as the frequency is not set too low). They can be had for $10 to $15 or one can build one for a bit less.

03-07-2006, 03:58 AM	#17
boxrodz Until Seventy Times Seven Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Rocky Mountain Front Range Posts: 1,301	Re: Anyone put LED BULBS in the Dash Cluster yet? I probably take a different approach to dimming the LEDs. I'd drive the LEDs with the correct forwarding voltage to guarantee that the LEDs are operating in the correct voltage range (and for optimum brightness). As chevychic said, LEDs are either 'on' or 'off'. To create the dimming effect, use a PWM (Pulse Width Modulator) instead. They use a pot(entiometer) that allows the user to vary the duty cycle. By doing so, you can change the frequency and length that the LEDS 'blink' on and off. The cycle in which they blink is not detected by the eye as a blink, but more as a dimming effect (so long as the frequency is not set too low). They can be had for $10 to $15 or one can build one for a bit less. __________________ boxRODz 1983 C10 SWB Fleetside When two halves is gone, there's nuthin left. Two nothings is nuthin. That's mathematics son. You can argue with me but you can't argue with figures. Two half nothings is a whole nuthin...