[DML] Re: New and better(?) AC light fix?

["DMC Joe" <dmcjoe@xxxx>]

The circuit is designed to illuminate the AC panel at 100% brightness
(daytime operation) for better visibility. When the exterior lights are
switched on a relay inserts a voltage reduction to dim the lights by about
30% for night time viewing. This is a common practice with many automobile
dash lamp circuits. There are two modifications available to alter the
factory function.

Over the last couple of years the USA has enacted the "lights on all the
time rule" for better daytime visibility.

We have both AC lamp modifications. Lights dim at all times or lights on
only when the exterior lights are switched on.

The AC panel lights cannot be added to the stock dimmer because the factory
unit can barely handle the instrument cluster lamps, as a matter of fact
these dimmers have a very high failure rate due to overloading.


DMC Joe / De Lorean Services / <dmcjoe@xxxx>
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----- Original Message -----
From: Stian Birkeland <dmc_norway@xxxx>
To: <dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, February 01, 2000 11:53 AM
Subject: [DML] New and better(?) AC light fix?


>
> I have a challenge for someone who really understands electronics.
> One of the main problems on the DeLorean is the high-density lights behind
> the AC control panel. The panel gets too hot, and the AC decal dries up.
> Every DeLorean owner knows what I'm talking about. Yes, I know that
someone
> did a wire modification so that the AC lights only go on when the
headlights
> are being used but this is really of no help for us living in Europe.
>
> BECAUSE:
>
> In Europe it is a standard to have the headlights on all the time and that
> means on a bright sunny day as well as in the evening/night. This is
really
> a good rule (at least I think so) because with no doubt, you ARE
definitely
> more visible to other drivers even on a sunny day! In Norway where I live,
> you will be fined by the traffic police if they catch you driving without
> the lights on. I have no problems with this because the way I see it, its
> better to have the headlights on during the day for added visibility (and
> lesser chance of somebody crashing with you) when driving the DeLorean.
>
> So what I'd like to see from the Doc Brown's on this list is the
following:
>
> Make a wire modification that can be used together with the rheostat. The
> rheostat is the knob next to your clock on the console. Turning the knob
> will brighten/dim the lights inside the instrument cluster.
>
> See my point?
> If the AC lights were somehow wired to the rheostat, then those lights
would
> be controlled by the rheostat. You'd get the same amount of
> brightness/dimming on both the instrument lights and AC lights at the same
> time.
>
> For us European owners (and those American owners who chooses to have
their
> headlights on ALL the time day and night) we have really no use for the
wire
> which turn on the AC lights when the headlights are on. In my case, this
> will only mean that the AC lights will still be on.
>
> Any comments?
> I'll pay a good price for a solution that works namely a wire to the
> rheostat so that the AC lights are synchronized with the instrument
lights.
> Then you can have those lights off during day and find your preferred
> brightness in the evening/night.
>
> I think the bulbs are the same in the AC lights and instrument cluster
> lights so I think it would not be very difficult to do this.
> However, I am not an expert on Lucas electronics.... PLEASE HELP OUT WITH
A
> SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM
>
> YOURS SINCERELY;
> STIAN BIRKELAND
> NORWAY