Trying to dim 2 aftermarket gauges

[Sho Amo]

i have my gauges hooked up to my interior lights like everyone else does. The problem im having is the fact that these c2 gauges are waaaaay to bright. i wish i could take a pic but it wouldnt do it justice. so just to drive at night i have to dim all my interior lights so far that my cluster doesnt light up.

my first thought was to get a rheostat from sho and connect only those two gauges to it. what do you guys think is the best way to do this?

 

[firebat45]

Experiment with rheostat until you find the matched level to your other gauges, then replace with resistor for cleaner install/more durability.

 

[yamahaSHO]

My white faced gauges aren't on the stock dimmer, so I wired my aftermarket to the stock dimmer and I can adjust as needed. When driving by cops especially, I turn the A-pillar gauges all the way down trying not to attract attention.

 

[gmorrell]

Autometer C2 gauges? These are LED lit, you might get a rheostat to work, but you may have more luck with the Autometer 9114 lighting dimmer.

http://www.autometer.com/cat_accessoriesdetail.aspx?vid=185

http://www.autometer.com/productPDF/1112A.pdf

http://www.egauges.com/vdo_acce.asp?Subgroup=LED_Dimmer

I have a bunch of Autometer ES LED lit gauges in my Mustang, had to use the 9114 module.

I just pulled three ProSport LED lit gauges out of the A-pillar pod in my SVT Contour - too bright, they messed up my night vision. Replaced them with Autometer Ultralight gauges with good old fashioned incandescent lamps and green filters - perfect now.

 

[Sho Amo]

Thanks guys. The autometer rheostat sounds like the best option for me. I'm not too happy about the price tho.

 

[gmorrell]

The Autometer 9114 isn't a rheostat in normal terms.

Unlike incandescent lamps, LED's don't change brightness all that well by varying their voltage. LED's want to drop a constant voltage (about 1.2V), and will change brightness over a limited range by varying their current. Rather than just a simple voltage dropping device, the Autometer 9114 is sort of a variable current source.

Teaser on the SVO's Autometer ES dash.

 

[Sho Amo]

Sweet so it will work better for my setup than a normal rheostat would.