Making a transistorized dimmer for Rebel underhood lights

[00tec-satx]

Newb here, so please be gentle :wave:

I am going to mount 2 rebel leds behind lenses (the Rebels pre-mounted on 10mm aluminum squares-- 180lm cool white). Seen here:
http://www.luxeonstar.com/premounted-rebel-cool-white-led-on-a-10mm-square-base-180-lm-p-575.php

I will be building a simple regulator using something along the lines of a LM317t adjustable regulator, but would like the ability to use a push button dimmer to switch the regulator up/down so I don't have to have the LEDs wide open all the time. They will be flush mounted under the hood (with adequate ventilation). I have experience with the regulator, but never had any projects with a transistorized switch. Could someone point me in the right direction?
Bright/Dim would be cool or even Bright/Dim/Off...

Thanks in advance,
Michael

 

[jason 77]

I would suggest reading through "Dan's" constant current article...

http://www.instructables.com/id/Circuits-for-using-High-Power-LED_s/

A number of people on this forum have been using his super simple circuit for a while now... you can use a switch to have 2 "sense" resistors in parallel, one operated by the switch which when on would have the 2 resistors in parallel thus dropping the resistance and suppling more current to the led for a brighter output... I have done this before and it works really well.....

 

[00tec-satx]

Thank you sir, I'll give it a look over the next few days (the page I need to look at is down or something.