The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > 47 - Current classic GM Trucks > The 1973 - 1987 Chevrolet & GMC Squarebody Pickups Message Board

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Prev Previous Post   Next Post Next
Old 03-06-2006, 10:32 PM   #12
Zoomad75
K5Camper
 
Zoomad75's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Pueblo, CO
Posts: 1,513
Re: Anyone put LED BULBS in the Dash Cluster yet?

[QUOTE=chevychic]
Robz- The biggest problem I see is that it's a range issue in the design of the switch (potentiometer). If you place a resistor before the switch, you still have the same range, just at a higher resistance which is cutting the power to the LEDs. It was this lack of range that I had a problem with. I just did not have a large enough range to provide a high enough amount of resistance to dim the LEDs adequately and provide a low enough resistance to achieve full brightness. For 2 5MM LEDs running off 12v with a 3.6v drop across the LED, the resistor value required is 270 ohms. If your maximum brightness setting on your switch is higher than 270 ohms after you wire in a resistor, you will not be using your LEDs at maximum brightness. When I was doing this to my truck, I had all the specs for the dimmer resistance and such but it was so long ago, I've forgotten. If you find to have the same problem and want a range of dimming capabilities, to keep with a stock look you could hide the potentiometer somewhere like in the ashtray or such.
I've never had or heard of a problem with heat and resistors. Capacitors and voltage regulators, yes. If you do find it to be a problem, you could get yourself a project box to place a board in with your resistor(s) on it and get yourself a small heatsink.
QUOTE]

I was afraid of that. THe thought sounded good to me at the time. I don't have a problem with a second potentiometer, just where I might put it. I can hide it if I need to. Just need to get some LED's and start tinkering...
__________________
Rob Z.
1975 K5 350/465/205/D44/12b 4" lift on 35's- RIP
1991 K5 8.1L/NV4500/241/D44/14b FWC Camper
Zoomad75 is offline   Reply With Quote
 

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:02 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2025 67-72chevytrucks.com