Dimming illuminated Ford grille emblem

[tjarvis22]

I’m wanting to get a Putco illuminated ford emblem but they are just too bright for me. You think it would be possible to wire a 12v led dimmer inline to reduce the brightness? Or if a resistor would work?

Sponsored

 

[RcFlyer330]

I have used resistors to dim led licenses plate lights on a 2010 ford explorer. I dont know how the led dimmers work but I dont see a problem as long as you have the right wattage resistors or led dimmer.

In case you where wondering the license plate lights where so bright I could see the road for a good distance behind me at night and it was distracting to me let alone other drivers.

 

[tjarvis22]

I have used resistors to dim led licenses plate lights on a 2010 ford explorer. I dont know how the led dimmers work but I dont see a problem as long as you have the right wattage resistors or led dimmer.

In case you where wondering the license plate lights where so bright I could see the road for a good distance behind me at night and it was distracting to me let alone other drivers.

Yeah I thought about resistors but I’m not sure if they would work the same as on a halogen

 

[FORDTEXAS]

Yeah I thought about resistors but I’m not sure if they would work the same as on a halogen

i doubt it.. LED’s draw significantly less power than halogen/incandescent bulbs do.

 

[RcFlyer330]

Yeah I thought about resistors but I’m not sure if they would work the same as on a halogen

i doubt it.. LED’s draw significantly less power than halogen/incandescent bulbs do.

yes, you can use resistors and they will dim led lights. That is exactly what i did with my licenses plate lights and said that in my first post. you will need a range of resistors ohm readings to find what brightness works for you. i cant give you an exact ohm resistor so trial and error is your best bet. i would also do the testing on a bench not in the vehicle just use a 12v battery as a power source. once you find what you like heat shrink the wires and resistor i used marine heatshrink because it has hot melt glue on the inside for a more waterproof connection. you will probally be fine with 1/4 watt sized resistors.

onto how to connect the resistor. cut one wire and solder one resistor inline with the cut wire this is known as a series connection. you can also try an led dimmer to see if it works i dont see why it wouldn't work but i have not used one to say it works or not.

 

[jhelrey]

Have you asked Putco?

 

[fordtruckman2003]

I've seen the light up Putco emblem on other brands and they are for sure extremely bright so I understand wanting to cut it down a bit.

LED and resistors don't always get along. Some LED will just shut off completely with lower than design voltage.

If you can rig up a 9V battery to the wires see if that will still light it up for testing purposes.

 

[Ranger621]

LED's are current driven devices , not voltage. By added a resistor in series with the LED's positive wire you are limiting the amount of current the LED see's. Depending on how many LED's are used in the PUTCO light, the resistor value and the amount of current will vary thus the power rating or wattage of the resistor will depend on the amount of current it is blocking to the LED. Using ohm's law, wattage=amps x voltage across the resistor.

 

[Kanuck]

Any of the new dimmers for LED lighting are current control and not voltage. LED's do not like low voltage which adding a resistor inline with the LED will cause a voltage drop across the resistor, shortens their life considerably. I would not try and dim the leds but put a filter or darker "LENS" in front of the bulb.

 

[Zyvin]

I’m wanting to get a Putco illuminated ford emblem but they are just too bright for me. You think it would be possible to wire a 12v led dimmer inline to reduce the brightness? Or if a resistor would work?

Use a PWM dimmer.

https://www.oznium.com/switches/led-dimmer-knob

waterproof one

https://www.oznium.com/switches/mini-led-dimmer-knob

Sponsored