Dome Lights - Question on LED's..

ShockWave · 02-15-2012, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DIGItonium

Blue/White LEDs are very sensitive. Even in the off position, there's still a tiny bit of current flowing through the socket (probably a solid state switch from the BCM). Regular bulbs have higher resistance, so it won't light up at all.

Try rigging up a blue/white LED. Fully connect one lead, and use your fingers to "connect" the leads on the other. It'll glow dimly.

It shouldn't drain the battery.

Mines on both sides are glow very dimly. I want it 100% off when the doors are closed.

what do u mean by "Fully connect one lead, and use your fingers to "connect" the leads on the other."?

DIGItonium · 02-15-2012, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShockWave

Mines on both sides are glow very dimly. I want it 100% off when the doors are closed.

what do u mean by "Fully connect one lead, and use your fingers to "connect" the leads on the other."?

Oh just an experiment with blue/white LEDs and a battery.

The only solution I can think of to keep the LEDs "off" is to add another resistor, but it will also limit the current to the LEDs when lit sacrificing brightness a tiny bit.

ShockWave · 02-15-2012, 05:20 PM

cool!! thanks for the help!

Pelican170 · 02-29-2012, 12:25 PM

I put an order in with Diode Dynamics and got a pair of red and blue panel lights. One of the red panels has a diode that stays on brightly when it should be off, and by brightly, i mean i can see it very clearly through the light panel when it should be off and the other panels are all very dim when off compared to this. I emailed them about it and they are no help. If you want my advice, its stay away from Diode Dynamics...

Dallaz · 02-29-2012, 01:06 PM

^^Weird. I had no complaints about them and great service. Maybe I just got lucky

Pelican170 · 02-29-2012, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dallaz

^^Weird. I had no complaints about them and great service. Maybe I just got lucky

yea, i sent another email explaining the situation. I mean, the one is so bright when its set on "doors" that i can easily see it shining through the lens, while the other one you cannot see. So it looks like crap...

Pelican170 · 02-29-2012, 02:30 PM

Just wanted to update this, after sending another email explaining my situation and asking for a replacement, they have agreed to do so and are including a prepaid envelope to send the original "faulty" LED board back to them... So, that is good customer service on their part...

ksagis · 02-18-2014, 03:50 PM

I had same problem of a very slight glow from the map light LEDs - the fix being to add a bleed resistor to the circuit.

I have a Roadster: my fix was to pull the light behind the seats (I think the Couple has a light in the cargo area, right?), and solder a 1k ohm, 1/2 watt resistor across the terminals.

Coupe owners can test the theory if they have a third light by plugging in a standard bulb in the third light. If that kills the glow, the resistor fix will work for Coupes too.

One can probably add the bleed resistor to the map light area, I just found it easier to remove the third light and solder with it removed from the car.

And before anybody asks, no, this will not draw current and kill the battery. The resistor is a lot more resistance than the incandescent bulb. Think of it as just pulling down the residual voltage that was exciting the LED. The incandescent bulb that was there just wasn't getting hot enough to produce light.

Mitco39 · 02-18-2014, 04:05 PM

My car is in storage and has sat for 3+ months up here in canada. My lights bleed a little. She fired right up last week

If it bugs you because your a bit OCD that is one thing, but you dont have to worry about it killing your battery at all.

02-29-2012, 12:25 PM	#19 (permalink)
Pelican170 Track Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sandy Hook, CT Posts: 972 Drives: Nissan 370z Nismo Rep Power: 16	I put an order in with Diode Dynamics and got a pair of red and blue panel lights. One of the red panels has a diode that stays on brightly when it should be off, and by brightly, i mean i can see it very clearly through the light panel when it should be off and the other panels are all very dim when off compared to this. I emailed them about it and they are no help. If you want my advice, its stay away from Diode Dynamics... __________________ Fast Intentions CF Exhaust - Fast Intentions HFC's - HPS Tubes w/ AFE Dry Flow Filter's

02-29-2012, 01:06 PM	#20 (permalink)
Dallaz A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: North Dallas Posts: 1,272 Drives: 09MontereyBlu370z6MT Rep Power: 16	^^Weird. I had no complaints about them and great service. Maybe I just got lucky __________________ AeroJacket Lip Kit \| GTR switch \| NISMO S-Knob \| Blacked-Out-EVERYTHING\| 5% Tint \| Carbon Fangs/Upper Trim \| VOSSEN CV3's \| Painted Headlights \| CF Diffuser

02-29-2012, 02:30 PM	#22 (permalink)
Pelican170 Track Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sandy Hook, CT Posts: 972 Drives: Nissan 370z Nismo Rep Power: 16	Just wanted to update this, after sending another email explaining my situation and asking for a replacement, they have agreed to do so and are including a prepaid envelope to send the original "faulty" LED board back to them... So, that is good customer service on their part... __________________ Fast Intentions CF Exhaust - Fast Intentions HFC's - HPS Tubes w/ AFE Dry Flow Filter's

02-18-2014, 04:05 PM	#24 (permalink)
Mitco39 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Edmonton Alberta Canada Posts: 2,089 Drives: 40th 370z Rep Power: 132	My car is in storage and has sat for 3+ months up here in canada. My lights bleed a little. She fired right up last week If it bugs you because your a bit OCD that is one thing, but you dont have to worry about it killing your battery at all. __________________ 2007 Chevy Duramax - EFILive Tuned By Me 2010 40th W/ Nav - Boosted Performance - UpRev Tuned By Me The Mrs. Ride -2012 335XI N55 BMW - Cobb Tuned By Me, Built by her My Build --> http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...39s-build.html

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ksagis Base Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: LA Posts: 88 Drives: 370Z Roadster Rep Power: 12	I had same problem of a very slight glow from the map light LEDs - the fix being to add a bleed resistor to the circuit. I have a Roadster: my fix was to pull the light behind the seats (I think the Couple has a light in the cargo area, right?), and solder a 1k ohm, 1/2 watt resistor across the terminals. Coupe owners can test the theory if they have a third light by plugging in a standard bulb in the third light. If that kills the glow, the resistor fix will work for Coupes too. One can probably add the bleed resistor to the map light area, I just found it easier to remove the third light and solder with it removed from the car. And before anybody asks, no, this will not draw current and kill the battery. The resistor is a lot more resistance than the incandescent bulb. Think of it as just pulling down the residual voltage that was exciting the LED. The incandescent bulb that was there just wasn't getting hot enough to produce light.