What does a potentiometer look like

[tassie targa 76]

Just fitted the headlight switch and while looking at the wiring diagram there is a potentiometer at E20.

Does any one know

What it looks like ?
Where to get one ?
Does it need to be there?

[Neilnaz]

A potentiometer is a variable resistor - usually the kind of thing used to vary the illumination on dash lights or a volume control. Nearly always a rotary control. You can get all sorts and shapes and sizes though. The diagram suggests that this varies the brightness of the dash lights. You will have to choose a potentiometer based on total resistance. It is used, essentially, to vary the voltage output.

Someone will know what resistance range the potentiometer should have....

I hope that helps a little.

Cheers, Neil

[pete3799]

Should be inside the light switch. Turn clockwise to brighten CCW to dim.

[HawgRyder]

Neil is correct on the resistance being important...but missed the current factor.
You can get very small, lightweight pots...but they will burn out very quickly if they cannot handle the current flowing through them.
As Pete said...the pot should be inside the light switch in the dash.
Best to get a stock replacement one rather than experiment with after market ones.
Also...if you are changing over to LEDs....you might need to add a resistor to the circuit to get it to work (LEDs draw very little current...so the voltage stays almost the same throughout the pot's range).
There are also solid state gimmicks to do the same job...they "chop" the voltage into small timed spurts to get the same effect as reducing the regular pots.
The drawback of the solid state ones...sometimes introduce noise into the wiring...and can interfere with the radio...or even the ignition.
Bob

[tassie targa 76]

Makes sense being in the headlight switch, just couldn't get that from the diagram.

Should be all good thanks again to Pelican

[Uwon]

HawgRyder,,
Any idea what resistance would be required to dim the LED instrument lights?
Johan

[rothaus]

Originally Posted by Uwon

HawgRyder,,
Any idea what resistance would be required to dim the LED instrument lights?
Johan

I used a 250 Ohm, 5W dimmer, and worked great. See it in my post

Testing some Instrument LED

Cheers
Engelbert