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Sat Jan 09, 2010 10:29 am

was thinking about the interior delay light mod lots of us have done to our vans (others have posted details, here is my contribution: http://shufti.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/delayed-switch-off-interior-light/), and I wondered about the gradual dimming feature found on some cars.

I found this after a quick search.
http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/hardware-development/62668-dome-light-dimmer-delay.html

has schematics and pics to make a adjustable delay and gradual dimmer module.

I wonder if the VW unit I have in van can be modified to do the grad dim, will have to look at the little board in the light...

edit: well duh, like most other things, there are more choices out there in vacuum land, here is another approach http://sound.westhost.com/appnotes/an004.htm

alistair

Sat Jan 09, 2010 1:29 pm

Thanks for the link. I think I will build a couple for my vans.

Thu Dec 05, 2019 3:58 pm

old thread...appears to be an interesting potential mod, but all links dead?

Thu Dec 05, 2019 4:09 pm

I’ll bite, interested to hear what people come up with.

Looks like there are time delay modules suitable for 12v systems for under $20. As for functionality...you could go nuts! off-delay for interior lights, or exterior lights (some cars call them welcome-home lights). What else??

Thu Dec 05, 2019 4:11 pm

I found this on ebay - https://tinyurl.com/rtuovva

And this on wiki

https://t3wiki.org/wiki/Delay_dim_interior_lights

Who knew there was a VW Wiki (not I).

and this on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Dome-Light-Dimmer-Delay-Timeout/dp/B016B414PI

gosh this is a rabbit hole I don't need to go down, I've got too many other issues to address...

Thu Dec 05, 2019 8:44 pm

A Mk2 light will fit right in place of your stock dome light, and has the delay feature. Just requires splicing in the plug. I had that for a while, but then opted for a Mk3 light in the center.

Thu Dec 05, 2019 9:20 pm

What do you mean by stock dome light, do you mean the light right above the door? OR are there some vanagons with center lights?

Mine only has lights above the door.

Is this the light you are referring to - https://tinyurl.com/utq8l3y

When I looked at the Wiki article, it looks like you need a special connector for it? It looks kind of like a molex connector.

Thu Dec 05, 2019 10:09 pm

Yes, that's the light I've used to fit in the slot over the driver door. It's a really nice and fairly easy mod which is a nifty little feature to add. You will need the plug fitting.

Just to be clear, one of those Mk2 lights will function to keep all of your dome lights on delay, so no wiring mods are required other than the plug.

Thu Dec 05, 2019 10:23 pm

kguarnotta wrote: old thread...appears to be an interesting potential mod, but all links dead?

ragnarhairybreeks wrote: was thinking about the interior delay light mod lots of us have done to our vans (others have posted details, here is my contribution:
https://shufti.blog/2009/11/28/delayed-switch-off-interior-light/
and I wondered about the gradual dimming feature found on some cars.

alistair

I fixed ^^this link ^^
Shufti wordpress has moved to shufti blog.
I expect Alistair will come by TheSamba before too long,
to take a look or reconnoiter, especially a quick one...

Thu Dec 05, 2019 10:28 pm

Dakota Digital has a nice option. Add auto headlights, fading interior dimmer, and accessory power.

https://www.dakotadigital.com/index.cfm/page/ptype.../prd42.htm

Thu Dec 05, 2019 11:03 pm

thanks sodo :-)

Yes the blog link has changed, site is now

https://shufti.blog/

And I haven’t posted anything in , jeeze, now two year. Have lots in the chamber, dint know why I haven’t pulled the trigger.

Anyhoo, the drivers side inferior light with delayed off mod I talked about is still working for me . Kinda cool how it works for all interior lights sharing same ground,

I’d like to have the dimming feature too, can’t bring myself to ponying uo for the Dakota unit, as good as it is. There must be a home brew solution just for the interior lights... bleeding off a capacitor or something like that?

Cheers

Alistair

Sodo wrote: kguarnotta wrote: old thread...appears to be an interesting potential mod, but all links dead?

ragnarhairybreeks wrote: was thinking about the interior delay light mod lots of us have done to our vans (others have posted details, here is my contribution:
https://shufti.blog/2009/11/28/delayed-switch-off-interior-light/
and I wondered about the gradual dimming feature found on some cars.

alistair

I fixed ^^this link ^^
Shufti wordpress has moved to shufti blog.
I expect Alistair will come by TheSamba before too long,
to take a look or reconnoiter, especially a quick one...

Wed Jan 22, 2020 2:23 pm

I've picked up one of these lights off ebay - but it did not come with a connector - what should I be looking for? IE what is this connector called?

Thu Jan 23, 2020 5:13 pm

Just go to a wrecking yard near you and get one off an '85-'92 jetta or golf.

Hans

Thu Jan 23, 2020 8:08 pm

I guess that is an option - I just don't really know any wrecking yards near here. I figured if I knew a part number for the connector - I could probably find something.

Thu Jan 23, 2020 8:19 pm

If you have the light, enter the part number, go on Google images and you`ll find the diagram ;-)

Fri Jan 24, 2020 7:14 am

Ohh HAHAHAAH.. that's funny..

there hasn't been a MK-II (or MK-III) in a wrecking yard here on the east coast in yearrrrrsssss.
never any in Craigslist either.. they've gone way of the dodo bird in salt belt.

hdenter wrote: Just go to a wrecking yard near you and get one off an '85-'92 jetta or golf.

Hans

Mon Jan 27, 2020 11:54 am

thanks DanFromSyr. I thought I was clueless about this, but am I correct in assuming I can't find one of those here in Massachusetts.

I'll see if I can rig up something with mini-connectors. I don't like to cut any original wiring - especially when it is in good condition.

If one of these is installed - can it go on in any location - or does it need to go in the driver's door location to work properly?

Mon Jan 27, 2020 12:06 pm

kguarnotta wrote:
I'll see if I can rig up something with mini-connectors. I don't like to cut any original wiring - especially when it is in good condition.

I have found that a lot of the original wiring has a fair amount of corrosion. I find this often when cutting the wire and finding the bare copper has turned green.
I only use tinned copper wire now, which I get from marine shops. I try to match the original wire colors as best I can.

Just my experience.