Altering Galls XL100 Backlighting

[Squad-6]

So I am working on an old truck with a XL100 switchbox in it. The labels on it are the aftermarket totally clear labels on white tiles. They are lit by 2 clear halogen bulbs. The box is mounted on top of the dash. Needless to say this lights the cab a little too good at night. Is there anything I can do to change the backlight color or at least maybe dim it some :?:


For the time being I have disabled the backlighting but the driver says if I can change it I will be his BFF :lol:

 

[shues]

Incandescent backlights in switchboxes are often connected to the dashboard dimmer in the vehicle with no ill effects. This suggests to me that you could use a dimmer, a rheostat, a potentiometer, or even a plain old resistor to achieve the desired brightness.

 

[Squad-6]

I was surprise this box did not have a separate power wire for the backlighting(I could add one though) & was not fused. It was ran to the factory fuse panel using a fuse tap. I canT believe Galls ever sold any of these. They are just glorified switch panels. Each switch has a ground going to it but the switches do not illuminate. That's weird.

 

[dustymedic]

I remember see something like that in the Galls catalog years ago. It was a knock off of a older switch box by FS, only FS's version had lighted switches and Gall's did not...

 

[RL1]

I had a Galls box given to me before with one of the bulbs burned out. Perfect amount of light...

 

[Squad-6]

I had a Galls box given to me before with one of the bulbs burned out. Perfect amount of light...


That may be an option. I thinking about finding a sw300 parts box with the green halogen backlighting & tranplanting the bulb assembly.

 

[svfd450]

can you find replacement bulbs in a different color maybe?

 

[trafficlear]

If you find a stage lighting supplier they will be able to provide you with some lighting 'gels' or 'filters'. If you get a small piece it will only cost you a few dollars and it's generally ok to use in high temperature environments like around bulbs! Just fix it somewhere between the bulbs and the switches.


Best bit, no messing with electronics and you can have any colour you like from a selection of around 300! You can also buy glass paint from a craft store and paint the bulbs directly, though the high temp stuff again will be best for this.