Dome module

[george_tlc]

I'm thinking of doing a LED dome module for the FJC - and I know that the ones I had for the 60 and 80 series don't fit due to their size.

I'm considering making a new driver board with a 1W LED and I have a design that would be considerably smaller than my original design.

What I need is a picture of the the FJC dome housing, are there 2 domes or just one? I need the dimensions of the opening where the incandescent bulb fits so I can size the LED driver & tabs to fit in.

Since the FJC uses a smaller bulb (that much I do know), I think I can design a module that would possibly fit the FJC and also the 60/80 series (using longer tabs for the latter).

Anyhow, I'd really appreciate someone taking some pictures and measurements for me.

cheers,
george.

 

[george_tlc]

Ok - 38 reads and not a response. I'll put it down to it being the holiday season and folk haven't yet received their new digital camera xmas prezzie

So, how about the first person that provides pictures and dimensions will get a free LED dome module when I build the first batch....

cheers,
george.

 

[holmanm]

I'm thinking of doing a LED dome module for the FJC - and I know that the ones I had for the 60 and 80 series don't fit due to their size.

I'm considering making a new driver board with a 1W LED and I have a design that would be considerably smaller than my original design.

What I need is a picture of the the FJC dome housing, are there 2 domes or just one? I need the dimensions of the opening where the incandescent bulb fits so I can size the LED driver & tabs to fit in.

Since the FJC uses a smaller bulb (that much I do know), I think I can design a module that would possibly fit the FJC and also the 60/80 series (using longer tabs for the latter).

Anyhow, I'd really appreciate someone taking some pictures and measurements for me.

cheers,
george.

There are 2 dome lights, one in front and one in back. They are identical.

The dimensions of the opening the bulb sits in is 1" wide (Length of bulb) X 7/8" high X 9/16" deep.

Hope this is what you want. If you need more info or better pics ( I took these with my phone) let me know. It's no big deal to get into.

Will the LED bulb still fade on and off like the incandescent bulb does?

 

[george_tlc]

Thanks! That's definitely the info I need to start the PCB layout.

I figure a PCB 0.5" wide and 0.8" end to end would do the trick. Then with tabs that protrude at each end to click into the existing clips. What is the entire bulb length (right to the tips of bulb)?

No, the LED will not dim like an incandescent. It will fully regulate at about 5V and run up to 30V input (same output across the entire 5V to 30V range). So, you do lose the dim down effect, but gain a much brighter dome light and a current draw of around 0.11Amps max (at nominal 12.8V input) that won't cook your plastic diffuser over the years.

Email me your contact info (to sales at taskled.com) and I'll make sure you get a few unit when I start to make them.

cheers,
george.

 

[holmanm]

Thanks! That's definitely the info I need to start the PCB layout.

I figure a PCB 0.5" wide and 0.8" end to end would do the trick. Then with tabs that protrude at each end to click into the existing clips. What is the entire bulb length (right to the tips of bulb)?

No, the LED will not dim like an incandescent. It will fully regulate at about 5V and run up to 30V input (same output across the entire 5V to 30V range). So, you do lose the dim down effect, but gain a much brighter dome light and a current draw of around 0.11Amps max that won't cook your plastic diffuser over the years.

Email me your contact info (to sales at taskled.com) and I'll make sure you get a few unit when I start to make them.

cheers,
george.

The bulb is 1.25" from tip to tip. I included a drawing to try to show where the tips end, which I assume is what you are talking about by the tabs you will put on your circuit board. Since the bulb ends are tapered, the distance between the fixed and spring clip with the bulb in is the 1" dimension I gave you before, so to me if the board was 1" wide (not counting the tabs) then it would be held in just as tight as the bulb is now. And as long as the distance including the tabs is not longer than 1.25" then the spring clip would compress enough to insert the board.

FYI: The bulb is a 12v8wal:75

 

[george_tlc]

Perfect, just the info I needed. Now I can finalize the PCB layout and get the show on the road.

cheers,
george.

 

[FirstToy]

george, you might also want to hit the 03-09 4Runner crowd. They share many of the same parts and i bet would be interested.

 

[NYCTRD]

I replaced mine with LEDS and they dim just like the incandecent bulbs

 

[george_tlc]

I replaced mine with LEDS and they dim just like the incandecent bulbs

That's because they are unregulated. Most (junk imho) LED modules that are sold (ebay etc) just use a series resistor to limit current. There is no electronics/regulation/surge protection.

My modules are fully regulated and will run from 5V to 30V and provide constant current to the LED. I use a single high power LED (use to use Luxeon, then Seoul and the new ones will use a Lumileds Rebel).

I don't think that the gentle dim down is a feature I'd cry about losing versus having a much brighter LED solution that is fully regulated.

cheers,
george.

 

[Biff]

George, I will buy whatever you make for the FJ. Please pm me when you have something. I miss your led's on my old 80, and have been craving for a set on my FJ.

 

[Niner]

I'd like a set myself lets us know when they are ready.

 

[george_tlc]

I have the new style LED dome modules ready. All I need to do is verify the length of the tabs that are needed to make the module fit nicely into an FJ.

Test fitting in progress...

thanks,
george.

 

[george_tlc]

Ok, with the help of a friendly FJC owner I had a chance to test fit one of the new modules in an FJC. I now know the correct length to make the tabs for a nice snug easy to install fit.

Here's some pics to show how it goes together and a comparo of stock candle to new LED technology:

How it fits:

how the lens clips into the fixture:

firing it up to blind the poor cell phone camera:

comparo, led (front) to candle (rear)

Oh, and also found that the LED module does dim - I'm guessing maybe the FJC uses PWM to dim the LED and so the dim effect is fully operational - free bonus

cheers,
george.

 

[george_tlc]

Ok, the LED modules are now ready to ship - so you wish to order, please see New LED dome modules for more info.

These are considerably brighter than the stock incandescent and draw around 110mA (from nominal 12.8V input). I've designed them specifically to fit into the FJC but the same length works in the 60/80 series. I trimmed the width/length of the PCB down to fit since my original dome modules were too large for the smaller fixtures in the FJC. The same LED module will fit in the both of the FJC fixtures (same bulb type).

The modules use a 70 lumen Lumileds Rebel LED and put out a lot of light - don't be fooled by the tiny size of the LED! It is brighter than the LED I used in my old style dome modules and if any of you had those in your 80's you can imagine how bright these must be versus the 'rest'...

cheers,
george.

 

[NYCTRD]

What's PWM?

What is "PWM"..."Power (something) Modulator"?

Ok, with the help of a friendly FJC owner I had a chance to test fit one of the new modules in an FJC. I now know the correct length to make the tabs for a nice snug easy to install fit.

Here's some pics to show how it goes together and a comparo of stock candle to new LED technology:

How it fits:

how the lens clips into the fixture:

firing it up to blind the poor cell phone camera:

comparo, led (front) to candle (rear)

Oh, and also found that the LED module does dim - I'm guessing maybe the FJC uses PWM to dim the LED and so the dim effect is fully operational - free bonus

cheers,
george.

 

[george_tlc]

Putting EE hat on...

PWM = Pulse Width Modulation.

You can dim something by either varying the voltage/current or by pulsing the power on/off quickly (so you don't see flicker) and vary the on versus off time. Thus, the average power is reduced. On some of the 4runners they just varied the voltage to dim and since my module has an electronic converter onboard it would just compensate for the lower voltage and the dimming wouldn't work.

With the FJC I saw the module dim over a few seconds and the only way that could occur is if they are pulsing the power. Given modern ECU's etc - it makes sense that they do the timed dimming digitally versus the older analog scheme. And so, since they appear to be using PWM (without dragging out my scope and verifying) my LED modules do indeed dim.

Putting EE hat back into the closet

cheers,
george.

 

[NYCTRD]

Makes sense-Are these similar to the LED's used in Mag Lite flashlights?

 

[george_tlc]

Makes sense-Are these similar to the LED's used in Mag Lite flashlights?

Not sure I understand the question? Maglites are pretty dismal flashlights versus the current state of LED technology. The LED drop in modules for them are generally pretty horrible too. There's some fantastic mods that folk do with mag bodies as hosts. Multiple 3W or 10W LEDs in them.

These dome modules that I'm making use a Lumileds Rebel 3W white LED , 70 lumen/watt binning. I am running them at 350mA for a nominal 1W to keep heat reasonable, given the tiny size of the board space I have to work with to fit the FJC. Still a LOT of light versus the original incandescent and other multi-led made in China offerings. These are made here in the US by me - if that makes any difference to you.

I've been making modules for the 60 and 80 series for 4+ years and you can do some searches on "georges leds" on this site to see what folk think of my original module design. It was too large to fit the FJC so I redesigned the module to make it a bit shorter and a lot narrow. Fits the FJC perfectly and still fits into the 60/80 series.

cheers,
george.

 

[holmanm]

Email me your contact info (to sales at taskled.com) and I'll make sure you get a few unit when I start to make them.

cheers,
george.

George, I received the LED module today. Wow, I am very impressed with the difference, not only is it brighter but also such a much cleaner/whiter light. The quality of the circuit board is very good and it fits perfectly into the clips.

I attached a picture to try to show how the LED makes the silver on the steering wheel, laptop and dash really stand out.

I'm glad I could help get the ball rolling. Nice product. I highly recommend it, especially since it still fades in and out. Once I become employed again I will definitely order one for the cargo light, it looks pathetic by comparison.
Thanks.

 

[Biff]

Ok I want these, put me down for two.