Topic: Reducing the time when map lights are shutting off

[Kelu]

The interior lights (those from the mirror I think you call them map lights?) are shutting off after some seconds (10?) and this is annoying me because if I activate my alarm I get an error because there is something which draws power and the alarm doesn't like that.

There is any simple solution to minimize the time after the doors are closed and the lights are off?

[Gentleman Jack]

Just wait 10 seconds to arm your alarm?

There is a way.  I think Joe has some of this figured out when he was adding a mirror with map / temp? 

GJ

[Kelu]

I'm too fast for waiting 10s   I hope somewhere in future to be able to travel 1/4 mile in that time 

[Carbon Sky]

Not sure if this information helps you, but the dimming feature is controlled by the BCM.

[Kelu]

It gives me a clue but I don't know how to approach this.

[Uranium-238]

Pull the lightbulbs?

Maybe a simple circuit that detects the drop in voltage would help, IIRC some diodes won't let current flow under a certain voltage. Slap some of those in line, and it should cut the power nicely.

[2kwk4u]

Get a better alarm?

[TomatoSoup]

Try LED bulbs?  Perhaps the power draw would be low enough not to trip the alarm.

I had a post somewhere about what bulbs to use.

[Buckinfitch]

also has a power save feature: if the doors are opened longer than 20 minutes they will auto turn off, great feature when displaying or putzing in the interior with the doors open.

[Kelu]

Uranium-238 Those lights have full voltage for 10s, then starts to decrease for about 1-2s. I'm trying to lower those 10 seconds down to nothing or 1-2s. How can I do that with only some diodes?
I still need interior lights, I don't want to get rid of it, I don't like the case that they are still on after I close my door.

2kwk4u I have top model from Viper with most expensive pager and some additional modules. Payed about $600, don't think I can find better than this around here 

TomatoSoup I already have replaced the bulbs with LEDs, there is no more so dimming effect with those, dimming is only 1-2s, I don't have a problem with that, I have a problem with the lights being on another 10s after I close the door.

So those lights if you turn on the engine shut themselves fast (1-2s after engine is started) if you just close the door without starting the engine they stay 10s on until they shut off. I look such a moron waiting my car every time to shut the lights off so I can activate my alarm 

[2kwk4u]

Years ago (we're talking 15+ years now) I used to work as an alarm/stereo installer.  Given that it was so long ago, this may no longer be relevant.  I haven't installed an alarm in ages. 

At that time, I installed Viper alarms (and other DEI brands).  There were two ways to hook one up:  1) Voltage sensing or 2) switch sensing. 

Voltage sensing was an easy install, but less reliable and less effective.  Voltage sensing would basically detect a minute change in voltage and determine that a door or trunk had been opened, thus turning on the dome light (or trunk light).  It was a much simpler install because you didn't have to hunt for all the correct wires for triggers or install pin switches on the hood and trunk.  We would charge less for a voltage sensing install. 

Switch sensing was a more complicated install, but more reliable.  You didn't have to worry about all the "what if's".  i.e. What if the car has a slow fade dome light? - what if the bulb is burnt out? - what if the dome light is switched off? - what if the battery starts to go bad? (voltage sensing alarms go crazy when that happens).

If things haven't changed since I used to install (again, it was quite a few years ago), it sounds like your installer did yours as voltage sensing.

[Kelu]

My alarm shop went with one easy installation and with less intervention possible in my electric system to avoid any hassle if I will ever go to Opel dealership with any electric warranty cases.
That's why I don't have engine start, I can't raise the windows when I close the doors and other things, but I don't know exactly in technical terms what they did. You sound right, any small voltage being used it makes my alarm to throw an "error".

[ophidia31]

I know this is pretty old thread, but if you havent figured it out, viper/python/clifford/avital systems from directed electronics have options to bypass the sensor for reason like delayed dome lights and stuff. It still will monitor the door trigger, but wont error back saying a door is open. It can be turned off in the options menu (Door Trigger Error Chirp). Unless when the lights go out, you get a full blown alarm thinking a door was opened, you might have to isolate the door trigger wire from the alarm to the door triggers themselves. Without actually installing it myself, i dont want to give out information without first trying it myself. But if your installer is worth their guff, they can figure it it pretty quickly.

[Kelu]

Wow, really thank you for replying in this. I didn't figure out and I was remembering about 1 month ago how painful is to wait until map light go off to arm my alarm.

Any information is appreciated.

[ophidia31]

No problem. If an extra chirp when you arm and a tone from your remote , the door error chirp off should solve your problem. So if they gave you the book to do the programming yourself, give it a shot or just swing by their place. Itd literally take under a minute to program.
But other than that, I cant say much more because I have no personal experience with that issue because I used an integration module (Xpresskit DLPK) with my alarm so its all done through the cars data-bus. Checked the european section of their website but doesnt list the GT. Since youre able to get directed products there since you have a viper, you might be able to contact them to see if the DLPK would work since its basically the same thing as the US Sky/Solstice electrical system.

[Kelu]

Yes, I have an extra chirp on the car and on remote if I arm it before map lights got off.

I know my installer didn't wanted to mess with my electrical system because of warranty issues back they installed the alarm system, that's why I don't have many options like: engine on from remote, engine off after a period of time, closing windows when arming, etc.

I called them and they said that if my warranty expired or I don't care about it they can install a can-bus now by chopping some wires and I will have all options mentioned above. I asked him specifically about the subject of this topic and they said they can install a delaying relay which will trigger the door guard after a period of time.

[ophidia31]

Oh yeah, if you thats all that its doing, just program that feature I mentioned off. It comes ON as default. Dont need any special add-on. Like I mentioned earlier, it will still cover the door if someone opens either one, just wont give the chirp/error when you lock it with the dome light still on. Do you have the normal 2-way remote (5701), one that has a basic screen on it (5901) or the one that has the badass color screen (5902)?

[Kelu]

I will transmit them what have you told me

My Viper is 5901.

[ophidia31]

Yeah let me know how it goes.

[Maui Sky]

Does anybody know what could be my problem as to why my map lights and floor lights don't go off after the engine is turned off and the doors are left open? If I close the doors after a few seconds they slowly dim and go off. But if I leave the doors open and up for show they will stay on forever. Any info would be GREATLY appreciated.

[Critterman]

There is a battery saver mode it goes into, but I think it is around 20 minutes.