Author Topic: Side LEDs are too bright (Read 208 times)

rowka · « **on:** May 01, 2009, 08:04:13 AM »

I got a chance to gig with my beautiful new bass (seen here http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/60374.html?1240660298 ) last night and found that when the stage is really dark, the side LEDs are very bright. If the stage is moderately lit, they are fine. Is there a way to dim the LEDs? Maybe with a rotary dimmer or preferably a 3-way switch (off-low-high).

I guess I should have addressed this during the build, but honestly, it never crossed my mind as a possible issue.

Thanks

bsee · « **Reply #1 on:** May 01, 2009, 12:38:18 PM »

I tried to address it when I ordered, and again during the build. There was supposed to be an internal dimmer, but it was never installed. I do like the idea of the three way switch on the outside, though, that would be most practical. Low or high, I believe it's still going to suck battery at the same rate, though. Some things just slip through the cracks even when you think about them.

It would be a nice after-market mod if there were some way to replace the two way with a 3-way and add a resistor to do the dimming. Anyone have an idea what to use for this?

-bob

mica · « **Reply #2 on:** May 01, 2009, 01:13:24 PM »

Dan, we can send you 3-way switch to swap out the 2-way switch you have. You need a hollow shafted nut driver to easily change out the switch, but the connection is modular.

I'm not sure if your LEDs have the modular connections, Bob. You can check it and let me know.

You can also resistively load the on position of the 2-way switch to knock it down to your preferred brightness. The more dimly you run the LEDs the less current they draw and the longer the batteries will last. My personal preference is for very dim, but that doesn't seem to be typical.

In the old days, the LEDs just came on when you plugged your bass in - we used the switch on the jack.

lbpesq · « **Reply #3 on:** May 01, 2009, 02:19:53 PM »

Alembic added an internal dimmer to my custom Further when I had the same problem. That's also why I ordered red LEDs as red doesn't impact night vision.

Bill, tgo

rowka · « **Reply #4 on:** May 01, 2009, 04:08:43 PM »

Dan, we can send you 3-way switch to swap out the 2-way switch you have. You need a hollow shafted nut driver to easily change out the switch, but the connection is modular.

Mica,that would be fantastic. Yes. Please do.
Dan

Bradley Young · « **Reply #5 on:** May 07, 2009, 12:50:46 PM »

Bill,

...red doesn't impact night vision as much as higher energy wavelengths.

Fixed that for you. I did learn something in basic training, after all.

Bradley

lbpesq · « **Reply #6 on:** May 07, 2009, 01:14:16 PM »

Bradley:

Certainly not as much. I know that zoos often display night creatures under red light because, as I understand it, they don't see the red and think it's night time. I always assumed (and we all know what happens when you assume) something similar was going on with our eyes. Of course, thinking about it, it can't be the exact same because we can see red light and know that's it's not night time. I guess that's what separates us from the night creatures (or at least the four legged night creatures)! But the red LEDs certainly have less negative effect on night vision that those bright blue ones.

Bill, tgo

Bradley Young · « **Reply #7 on:** May 14, 2009, 09:43:31 AM »

Bill,

All correct stuff. But if you're truly concerned about maximizing night vision, red's out too.

We're discussing a nuance which is borne of training meant to keep you alive; I'm not disagreeing.

rowka · « **Reply #8 on:** August 12, 2009, 12:40:12 PM »

A friendly little bump of a reminder to Mica.

Dan, we can send you 3-way switch to swap out the 2-way switch you have. You need a hollow shafted nut driver to easily change out the switch, but the connection is modular.