Hi folks. Not been on for ages as my car has been parked up with little use.
I'm doing a camper conversion and I'm scratching my head over what I'm sure might be a simple problem.
The van originally had 2 lights in the load area which I took out but left the wiring plugs in place. Each plug has 3 wires going to it. On test one was live all the time and one activated by the door opening. I've installed a small LED light which I wired to come on with opening the door and go out after about 20 seconds of closing the door. Here's my issue. The led doesn't go out fully....it stays dull but not off. Any idea what I'm doing wrong?
I know it's a strange topic for the forum but I'm sure there's some electric boffins on here
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Help needed with internal light on van
- Leesfarm07
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Help needed with internal light on van
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2012 Mercedes SLK 250 AMG Sport auto in black
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2012 Mercedes SLK 250 AMG Sport auto in black
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- markplant
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Help needed with internal light on van
I have the same same issue with led number plate lights on the zed, they do eventually go out ,
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- ph001
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Help needed with internal light on van
It's because you have current still finding it's way back to earth through other ancillaries even when the door switch is closed (i.e. open circuit). That's because led's can light with just a tiny tiny current whereas a bulb would not. Try putting a 1K ohm power resistor (rated at least 1W) across your LED lights, that should sort it.
- BMWZ4MC
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Help needed with internal light on van
This is why, so do this (I had the same problem when I used LEDs for reversing lights on another car)ph001 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 09, 2018 12:04 pm It's because you have current still finding it's way back to earth through other ancillaries even when the door switch is closed (i.e. open circuit). That's because led's can light with just a tiny tiny current whereas a bulb would not. Try putting a 1K ohm power resistor (rated at least 1W) across your LED lights, that should sort it.
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- Leesfarm07
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- Posts: 2107
- Joined: Sat May 12, 2012 9:32 pm
- Location: Telford, Shropshire
Help needed with internal light on van
Ah that brill thank you. Because I've fitted black side and rear windows it was a pain cos it meant you could see in.
Thank you chaps
Thank you chaps
Current
2012 Mercedes SLK 250 AMG Sport auto in black
Westfield SE 1800 Zetec on twin 45's Aldon-Tuned pocket rocket in orange
Gone but not forgotten my lovely Zed 2.5
2012 Mercedes SLK 250 AMG Sport auto in black
Westfield SE 1800 Zetec on twin 45's Aldon-Tuned pocket rocket in orange
Gone but not forgotten my lovely Zed 2.5
- Leesfarm07
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2107
- Joined: Sat May 12, 2012 9:32 pm
- Location: Telford, Shropshire
Help needed with internal light on van
Thank you ph001. Do I put it literally across the two led incoming wires to the bulb in parallel ?ph001 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 09, 2018 12:04 pm It's because you have current still finding it's way back to earth through other ancillaries even when the door switch is closed (i.e. open circuit). That's because led's can light with just a tiny tiny current whereas a bulb would not. Try putting a 1K ohm power resistor (rated at least 1W) across your LED lights, that should sort it.
Current
2012 Mercedes SLK 250 AMG Sport auto in black
Westfield SE 1800 Zetec on twin 45's Aldon-Tuned pocket rocket in orange
Gone but not forgotten my lovely Zed 2.5
2012 Mercedes SLK 250 AMG Sport auto in black
Westfield SE 1800 Zetec on twin 45's Aldon-Tuned pocket rocket in orange
Gone but not forgotten my lovely Zed 2.5
- ph001
- Lifer
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- Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2016 5:53 pm
- Location: N. Yorkshire.
Help needed with internal light on van
Yes, exactly that. Let me know if you are struggling to find any resistors. I'll bung you a few out in the postLeesfarm07 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 10, 2018 8:34 am Thank you ph001. Do I put it literally across the two led incoming wires to the bulb in parallel ?
- Leesfarm07
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- Posts: 2107
- Joined: Sat May 12, 2012 9:32 pm
- Location: Telford, Shropshire
Help needed with internal light on van
Blimey that's excellent ph001. Our local maplin has closed. I wasn't sure if the resistors would get red hot and whether I needed a special one of some sort. Let me know how much and I'll PayPal you over some cash
Current
2012 Mercedes SLK 250 AMG Sport auto in black
Westfield SE 1800 Zetec on twin 45's Aldon-Tuned pocket rocket in orange
Gone but not forgotten my lovely Zed 2.5
2012 Mercedes SLK 250 AMG Sport auto in black
Westfield SE 1800 Zetec on twin 45's Aldon-Tuned pocket rocket in orange
Gone but not forgotten my lovely Zed 2.5
- ph001
- Lifer
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- Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2016 5:53 pm
- Location: N. Yorkshire.
Help needed with internal light on van
Free to forum chums...pm me your address and i’ll pop them in 1st class post for you on Monday