Autometer LED gauge dimmer

[waynieZ]

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...er=867851_0_0_

My gauges are lit with LEDs, Is this worth getting to dim my gauges or is there a better way to do it?

Thanks

[Richio1]

Are they really that bright that you need a dimmer or is it more of a nice to have thing?

I have the bulbs and they are too dim so I am looking it install the LED's. I didn't think I'd need a dimmer

[tubbed69]

Originally Posted by Richio1

Are they really that bright that you need a dimmer or is it more of a nice to have thing?

I have the bulbs and they are too dim so I am looking it install the LED's. I didn't think I'd need a dimmer

I put the LED bulbs in my autometer gauges and they look great but dont need a dimmer for sure.

[waynieZ]

When I drive my 99 Tahoe for any distance at night I have them dimmed. My eyes get tired after a while, so I figured I'd check if you guys thought they needed it. I guess I'll wait until I see for myself I was just figuring it could be wired in from the start.

Thanks

[130fe]

What LEDs are you using? The factory 194/168 type or the ones that are in the back lit gauges (like the Autometer II series). I had a set of the ultralite IIs and the backlit intensity was not able to be controlled from the headlight switch rheostat. I was going to install that autometer rheostat but changed to Dakota Digitail VHX ones. The II series Autometer gauges at full bright could be a strain on your eyes at night for long periods of time.

[ironworks]

In the Chevelle we built the owner says he loves the bright gauges. The guy who takes car of the collection hated the bright gauges. The dimmer was a great compromise. I will probably wire them in every car with LED gauges just incase.

You never know where will be the sweet spot and its a 50 buck insurance to making the customer very happy if they are needed.


Oh your gauges are too bright......... How is that?

[Vegas69]

They need a dimmer as the factory dimmer does nothing. That's one thing that needed changed on my car. When I drove it at night, especially out of town, it would effect my night vision. They are beautifully lit, just to much for any distance.

IMO, this is the little stuff that really separates a sorted out car. How well does it function from A-Z in different circumstances.

While your at it, if you plan to run an LED high beam, figure out how to reduce its voltage as well.

[Sieg]

In my case my old eyes are more light sensitive than my young eyes. I'd install the dimmer in a heartbeat just in case.

[waynieZ]

Thanks; I am using the Ultra Lite II gauges, that's why I was thinking of using it. I haven't driven a car with them so I wasn't sure how bright they are. When I drive my daily driver I always dim the dash down it seems to help me when I go from checking the gauges then back to watching the road and on long drive the dash being bright tires my eyes quickly.

[130fe]

Originally Posted by Vegas69

They need a dimmer as the factory dimmer does nothing. That's one thing that needed changed on my car. When I drove it at night, especially out of town, it would effect my night vision. They are beautifully lit, just to much for any distance.

IMO, this is the little stuff that really separates a sorted out car. How well does it function from A-Z in different circumstances.

While your at it, if you plan to run an LED high beam, figure out how to reduce its voltage as well.

Yeah, Vegas69 has a good point about the high beam indicator. I was using these 1/4 inch ones on my old autometer setup- http://www.detroitspeed.com/mm5/merc...t_Code=120902A If you are using a small LED, I would not use blue without reducing the intensity. The blue is so much brighter than the green, red and amber ones. That thing will wash out any night vision that you have. I also wouldn't put it front and center in your field of view, on my old setup I put it down and off to the side.