Date:         Thu, 13 Feb 2014 15:44:36 -0800
Reply-To:     Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Subject:      Re: Doors Closed, LED Dome Light Glows On. Solved?
Comments: To: Neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <CAB2Rwfhpif1OExzGWtcQ0QmdFNdoafpnix-gWh7qgA7FfuB07Q@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

A while back I complained that my led interior door actuated lights would not shut off. I have a delayed off light unit in the drivers position. The no turn off effect happened after I installed the LEDs. Didn't happen all the time. Doesn't happen now that I have added more LEDs to the circuit (footwell etc).

The low current draw must have been playing a game with the delay timer circuit.

Alistair



> On Feb 13, 2014, at 1:56 PM, Neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> 
> Hi all.
> 
> This been talked of over on thesamba forum but thought I'd post a few pics here.
> 
> Some, like me, found that an LED festoon dome light (non OEM) might
> glow on even when doors shut, dome switch set to "light on when door
> opened". The dome lights on a Vanagon are switched on/off via a
> connection to vehicle frame (negative side of circuit)
> 
> I saw continuity between points shown by the arrows. Image:
> 
> https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-nAXrJ_mo4yQ/Uv0ytYaBUHI/AAAAAAAAIz0/5-TgWXJ_BL0/s527/dirty%2520switch%25204.jpgIt
> 
> so I assume that the ground wire male spade on switch passes through
> the black plunger as one piece. It is exposed ~ midpoint of the black
> shaft.
> 
> My working theory is that with doors closed, switches open, dirt etc.
> on one or more of the switch shafts may allow contact between the
> exposed metal on the shaft and spring (hence switch frame) or just
> straight to the switch body. (constant negative or ground) This may be
> especially true since this gap gets very close to the switch metal
> frame.
> 
> Just a working theory for now but to me, it makes sense. It's likely
> that a very minute amount of current will allow an LED to faintly glow
> on (in fact I only saw ~ 4 diodes light up)
> 
> More pics here:
> 
> https://picasaweb.google.com/musomuso/MiscVanagonWestyPics#5979983704673393858
> 
> Neil.
> 
> 
> 
> --
> Neil n
> 
> Blog: tubaneil.blogspot.ca
> 
> '88 Westy http://tinyurl.com/c8rlw6p
> 
> '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"  http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
> 
> Vanagon VAG *Gas* inline-VR Engine Swap Group:
> 
> http://tinyurl.com/d7gd5ej