LED Angel eyes - Auto dimmer

freerider · 04-09-2008, 09:58 AM

Ive had this idea to make an auto dimmer for the LED angel eyes
heres how my testing has gone so far.

Im going to eventually make a sealed box with the LDR inside with a fiber optic feed for the light.

my test module:

Output in the shade:

Output when dark:

Output with direct light:

This is obviously still in testing.... still need to get some orions so that i can output a final product
Lemme know what you guys think of this idea.

MatthewLFD · 04-09-2008, 10:06 AM

Wow, very nice! Cool idea.

Are you talking about the new Orion LED angel eyes, or the older syle ones?

freerider · 04-09-2008, 10:14 AM

the new LED orions... im not sure how the voltage drop would affect a ballast on the CCFL's

freerider · 04-09-2008, 11:19 AM

...

umnitza · 04-09-2008, 12:31 PM

Predator Orions; can fade with the interior lights naturally as part of our kit.

The LED we spec'ed are not like the ones you are showing there though.

freerider · 04-09-2008, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by umnitza

Predator Orions; can fade with the interior lights naturally as part of our kit.

The LED we spec'ed are not like the ones you are showing there though.

i realize that, this is meant to make the angels eyes dimmer at night than they are in the day.

also know that the LEDs in the angel eyes are different but for testing purposes i bought elcheapo highbright whites

2000_328CI · 04-10-2008, 09:02 AM

new orion angel eyes

chris98891 · 04-09-2008, 07:58 PM

definitely, my main argument against these is their brightness. id love to see something that could work like you're showing

freerider · 04-10-2008, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris98891

definitely, my main argument against these is their brightness. id love to see something that could work like you're showing

Yeah thats what i was aiming at, They look really nice in the day light but i wanted to tone it down when it got darker outside

tom @ eas · 04-09-2008, 08:01 PM

Great idea, an even better addition would be the use of a light sensor for auto switching of higher/lower voltage.

Edit - saw your thumb covering the sensor, you're already a step ahead.

freerider · 04-10-2008, 02:41 AM

There seems to be some confusion here, let me clear it up.

This is not meant to fade the angel eyes in or out when unlocking or locking your car.

This is a to dim the angel eyes at night to retain the halo look and return them to full brightness during the day, with the use of a light dependant resistor the angel eyes will gradually get dimmer as it gets darker outside and then brighter as it gets more light.

freerider · 04-10-2008, 02:49 AM

I'm just having a bit of trouble sourcing fibre optic cable

Lemonsqr · 04-10-2008, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freerider

I'm just having a bit of trouble sourcing fibre optic cable

why do you need fiberoptic cable? For the photosensor?

freerider · 04-10-2008, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lemonsqr

why do you need fiberoptic cable? For the photosensor?

yeah was going to use fibre but have now decided against it and am looking at another solution. fibre doesnt get nearly enough light through

Lemonsqr · 04-10-2008, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freerider

yeah was going to use fibre but have now decided against it and am looking at another solution. fibre doesnt get nearly enough light through

Actually, you should look into using the OEM photosensor.

On my US spec 330, there is a photosensor next to the dash light dimmer on the LCM. Maybe you could figure a way to tap into that.

deafboy · 04-10-2008, 03:59 AM

very neat idea...

chris98891 · 04-10-2008, 12:28 PM

yeah, my next question would be how would we mount the light sensor? in the hood grill by the windshield squirters would be good out of ease of routing

freerider · 04-10-2008, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris98891

yeah, my next question would be how would we mount the light sensor? in the hood grill by the windshield squirters would be good out of ease of routing

yeah thats what im thinking as the unit will sit in the same compartment as the relay for the angel eyes so its a short route out near the wind shield wiper spray and that way it is out of sight,
I just need to find a clean way of mounting it now.

Im also going to be putting a variable resistor into the circuit so that the dimming effect at night can be fine tuned according to personal taste.

teleopti · 04-11-2008, 12:04 AM

wow awesome idea!! def keep it up

dmisc · 04-11-2008, 03:26 PM

Very good idea...Are the Orions that bright for the night? Or is it just preference?

View Poll Results: good idea?
yeah	16	76.19%
neah	5	23.81%
Voters: 21. You may not vote on this poll

04-09-2008, 09:58 AM	#1
freerider Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Cape Town - South Africa Posts: 1,038 My Ride: 03 320i, 98 328i ind View My Garage	LED Angel eyes - Auto dimmer Ive had this idea to make an auto dimmer for the LED angel eyes heres how my testing has gone so far. Im going to eventually make a sealed box with the LDR inside with a fiber optic feed for the light. my test module: Output in the shade: Output when dark: Output with direct light: This is obviously still in testing.... still need to get some orions so that i can output a final product Lemme know what you guys think of this idea. __________________ Current ride: 2003 2.2l 320i exec South African Detailing Forum Last edited by freerider; 04-09-2008 at 10:26 AM.

04-09-2008, 10:06 AM	#2
MatthewLFD Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Holland, MI Posts: 349 My Ride: GSX + 550i sport m/t View My Garage	Wow, very nice! Cool idea. Are you talking about the new Orion LED angel eyes, or the older syle ones? __________________ - Matt Lafond BMW 325i - 5spd MT sport/cold weather/premium pkgs OEM Xenon - CCFL Angel Eyes - LED R/C/R Tail Lights - Bluetooth - DICE - Sirius radio - smoked corners - clear side markers - Matte Black Grill -Chrome gauge rings - Body matched trunk handle - ASA JH3 17x8 wheels

04-09-2008, 10:14 AM	#3
freerider Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Cape Town - South Africa Posts: 1,038 My Ride: 03 320i, 98 328i ind View My Garage	the new LED orions... im not sure how the voltage drop would affect a ballast on the CCFL's __________________ Current ride: 2003 2.2l 320i exec South African Detailing Forum

04-09-2008, 11:19 AM	#4
freerider Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Cape Town - South Africa Posts: 1,038 My Ride: 03 320i, 98 328i ind View My Garage	... __________________ Current ride: 2003 2.2l 320i exec South African Detailing Forum

04-09-2008, 12:31 PM	#5
umnitza 877•486•6489 Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: East Bay, CA Posts: 16,260 My Ride: E39M5, Sequoia View My Garage	Predator Orions; can fade with the interior lights naturally as part of our kit. The LED we spec'ed are not like the ones you are showing there though. __________________ Join Our Facebook! - Check Out Photos, Talk to Customers, Ask Us Questions! Call US 877 486 6489 Available: 9am-5pm M-F

04-10-2008, 09:02 AM	#7
2000_328CI DK Jack Sparrow Join Date: May 2004 Location: Isla de Muerta \| DC/VA Posts: 28,666 My Ride: 328Ci \| Range Rover View My Garage	new orion angel eyes __________________ Everything you need to know on muffler deletes : http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=745244 Back Up Camera for E46 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=ckrDiAClGgM Muffler Delete on E46 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofYhRq0T3eI

04-09-2008, 07:58 PM	#8
chris98891 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: greenville, sc Posts: 1,698 My Ride: '01 325i View My Garage	definitely, my main argument against these is their brightness. id love to see something that could work like you're showing __________________ -Chris

04-09-2008, 08:01 PM	#10
tom @ eas european auto source Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 12,577 My Ride: e92 S/C M3 View My Garage	Great idea, an even better addition would be the use of a light sensor for auto switching of higher/lower voltage. Edit - saw your thumb covering the sensor, you're already a step ahead. __________________ Tom G. \| european auto source (eas) email: tom@europeanautosource.com web: www.europeanautosource.com tel 866.669.0705 \| ca: 714.369.8524 x22 \| fax: 714.908.1796 Blog \| Facebook \| YouTube \| Flickr \| Twitter Last edited by tom @ eas; 04-09-2008 at 08:09 PM.

04-10-2008, 02:41 AM	#11
freerider Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Cape Town - South Africa Posts: 1,038 My Ride: 03 320i, 98 328i ind View My Garage	What is this meant to do??? There seems to be some confusion here, let me clear it up. This is not meant to fade the angel eyes in or out when unlocking or locking your car. This is a to dim the angel eyes at night to retain the halo look and return them to full brightness during the day, with the use of a light dependant resistor the angel eyes will gradually get dimmer as it gets darker outside and then brighter as it gets more light. __________________ Current ride: 2003 2.2l 320i exec South African Detailing Forum Last edited by freerider; 04-10-2008 at 02:47 AM. Reason: added title

04-10-2008, 02:49 AM	#12
freerider Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Cape Town - South Africa Posts: 1,038 My Ride: 03 320i, 98 328i ind View My Garage	I'm just having a bit of trouble sourcing fibre optic cable __________________ Current ride: 2003 2.2l 320i exec South African Detailing Forum

04-10-2008, 12:28 PM	#17
chris98891 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: greenville, sc Posts: 1,698 My Ride: '01 325i View My Garage	yeah, my next question would be how would we mount the light sensor? in the hood grill by the windshield squirters would be good out of ease of routing __________________ -Chris

04-11-2008, 12:04 AM	#19
teleopti Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ft. Laud Posts: 1,004 My Ride: BMW 330i View My Garage	wow awesome idea!! def keep it up __________________

04-11-2008, 03:26 PM	#20
dmisc Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Next to the Freeway Posts: 10,689 My Ride: a car View My Garage	Very good idea...Are the Orions that bright for the night? Or is it just preference?

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