Dash lights, full power, ....operational life?

[Orion]

I am resurrecting this topic because I don't believe it was thoroughly answered to my satisfaction, and I'd really like to know. Dash lights in a car with the dim switch to where the bulbs are receiving the most current [thus the most bright], in comparison, dash lights with the dim switch dimming the lights by half power. Will or will not the dimmed dashlights last longer than if they are on all the way?

The way I see it, if a bulb is rated for a certain output, and if you have less current going to the bulb so that it is runnning at half brightness, it should last much longer than if the bulb is running at it's rated output. Is this true?

Thank you, and I await the responses!!



[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/popcorn.gif[/img]

[Lurker]

Yes, that is correct. In fact if you reduce voltage to a point where the light is just slightly dimmed, say to about 80% of max brightness, the runtime increase is already dramatic - probably something like several times the original run time if I recall correctly. Since changing dash lights can be a real pain in many cars, I always turn mine down at least a little.

I find that I don't need or want them at full bright anyway. My wife keeps hers turned up to "11" and I find the glare annoying whenever I drive her car.

[Unicorn]

Once I ever get around to getting a car I want to keep for a long time, I think I want to retrofit the dash lights with LEDs. Actually I want to change everything but the headlights, and backup lights (and cornering lights if there are any, basically the white lights) with LED's.

[MenaceSQL]

I've already converted all my dash lights to leds [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]. It's a 1989 Toyota Truck.

[Entropy]

Once one of my dash lights burns out, I plan on converting them.

What sucks is that for some reason, my radio's lights dim MUCH more quickly than my dash lights - So I need to keep the dash on full brightness to be able to see the radio.