How do those self dimming rear view mirrors work?

[LordJezo]

The kinds you dont need to toggle maunally between night and day driving... any idea how they do what they do?

 

[nativesunshine]

If i can borrow my dad's vw booklet..it explains it in there.

all the stuff you have (ie: options, etc)...they will cover in the manual the car comes with.....right?

 

[amnesiac]

Well since normal ones just use a tilted mirror so only 5% light is reflected in dimming mode. I'm guessing that the automatic ones just use a light sensor to determine when to flip the mirror.

 

[Narse]

Originally posted by: amnesiac
Well since normal ones just use a tilted mirror so only 5% light is reflected in dimming mode. I'm guessing that the automatic ones just use a light sensor to determine when to flip the mirror.

I would agree but they get this odd green tint to them when they dim.

 

[RayH]

http://www.gentex.com/automotive_products2.html

 

[Argo]

Mine has a little light sensor in the upper right corner. I think sideview mirror is controled by the same sensor, since it doesn't appear to have one.

 

[slick230]

There is an electrolytic solution in the mirror that is connected to a light sensor. When the incoming light is above a certain level, then an electrical charge is put through the mirror that causes the solution to darken. Try busting one open, you'll see the stuff leak out all over the place.

 

[Heisenberg]

They're called electrochromic and basically work like slick320 explained. I've got one and the only problem is they take about 30 or 40 seconds to dim fully.

 

[Spac3d]

Originally posted by: slick230
There is an electrolytic solution in the mirror that is connected to a light sensor. When the incoming light is above a certain level, then an electrical charge is put through the mirror that causes the solution to darken. Try busting one open, you'll see the stuff leak out all over the place.

Yep, that is how I understood them to work.