Dimmable, dual-color dome light development

[SyncroHead]

My good friend Jim Howard originally developed a Vanagon dome light replacement that is dimmable and also has both white and amber (yellow/gold) light.

Dimmable for when you only want a modest amount of light.
Amber for when you don't want to attract bugs.

A few of us have one of these 1st gen lights, but we're developing a 2nd generation because of changes in the electronic components supply chain. I figured I'd provide a little insight as to what we're up to.

First, the light looks exactly like an original OEM light fixture aside from two small buttons used for dimming, brightening, and to switch from white to amber light.

Here's a look at the 1st gen light. Second generation will look identical.

The new circuit board for the Gen 2 version is in and ready for assembly and testing.

If all goes well these will be at www.VANAVATION.com about the end of April.

These are hand assembled in fairly low quantities, so they are not cheap though.

Is this of interest?

Jim Davis
_________________
"A Vanagon? It's not a car or a van. It's a hobby!"

Check out:
www.VANAVATION.com
www.SyncroSafari.org and
www.Vanagons.org

[DanHoug]

kudos for tooling up for small runs!

interesting article on lamp color effect on insect attraction. true amber vs yellow is significantly better at not attracting. people in northern MN have gotten away from using yellow bulbs in their porch lights but 'back in the day' that was all the rage.

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institu...180977495/
_________________
-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.

'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd

Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com

[4Gears4Tires]

I think white/red would be a more attractive option to me. It would be nice to have some night time lights. But white/amber sounds good too.
_________________
'87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition

[SyncroHead]

[tjet]

Hey Jim, not to sidetrack, but I was looking at that website, and this reflective tape kit for the hatch is a great idea. If I can make a suggestion, maybe add a couple of clips or something to the rear hatch so you can hang the engine lid on. I broke down a few years ago on the interstate. It was at night & raining. Big rigs were driving by spraying me while I was working on the engine. I was able to get it started & down the off ramp - but I needed to go back & get the lid that I had leaning on the side - duh. A hanging lid would have given me some additional weather protection, along with a warning to other drivers if I had your tape kit on it (as well as not losing it like I did).

Anyway, great ideas. I agree with the red LED light option in the dome light.

[SyncroHead]

[SyncroHead]

[kguarnotta]

I'm interested in a light like that...

I find the current lights too bright when I don't want them bright, and too dim when I want them bright...

Would the bulbs be LED? (I like low current draw)
Would the white be a cool white or warm white (I'd vote for warm white)

thanks - and I appreciate the innovation...
_________________
-Kevin
Lincoln, MA

'86 Triple Knob Syncro w/EJ22
'78 Westy
'69 Single Cab
'65 Kombi - EZ-Camper

[4Gears4Tires]

[Aryana]

I'd be interested.

[Gnarlodious]

Does it pop into the bulb holder like the LED boards?

What is the 5v terminal for?
_________________
Vanagon ’83 diesel AAZ w/Giles injection, 5spd 4.57R&P+TBD and a '78 diesel Rabbit

[DuncanS]

Red does not destroy your nighttime vision and is used for navigation in all airplanes and boats/ships. That's why you want red. Even a brief exposure to white takes 10 minutes to restore night vision.

Duncan

[SyncroHead]

[SyncroHead]

[mottoguzzi]

Spark of Imagination?

[SyncroHead]

[SyncroHead]

[michaelasnider]

I would be interested. Red would be a great idea - my wife and I sneak into the van at night while our toddler sleeps up top.

[SyncroHead]

The new lights are almost available.

Here's a couple pics of the guide jig we're using to bore holes in the plastic fixture for the control buttons. Their location is important to line up with the circuit board.

Here's how the buttons work:
- Press the upper one to increase the brightness
- Press the lower button to reduce the brightness
- Press both simultaneously to switch color modes

Jim Davis
_________________
"A Vanagon? It's not a car or a van. It's a hobby!"

Check out:
www.VANAVATION.com
www.SyncroSafari.org and
www.Vanagons.org

[Aryana]

I'd definitely be interested in the red ones!