for a while now, i was thinking of how i could implement the auto-dimming feature onto my sideview mirrors cause that's always causing me some blindness whenever someone comes up behind me. well, i emailed a company called GENTEX, known to be the manufacturers on all OEM auto dimming components for over 90% of the auto industry.

i'm only posting this because perhaps we have some smart one out there that could help us out. it seems almost impossible to have a custom set of these made. none the less, i do feel this is some interesting information, and hey, as a car enthusiast, whether i do it or not, i do think this was pretty cool to know exactly how these mirrors dim.

Dear Marco,

Here is the information sheet that I was talking about. I also have this information that I have typed for you that came from one of their forms.

How Electrochromic Mirrors Work
Electrochromics is the process of reversibly darkening materials by applying electricity. The Gentex solution-phase electrochromic mirrors feature two glass plates sandwiched together to contain the gel-like electrochromic materials. On interior mirror elements, the inner surface of each of the two plates of glass is covered with a transparent electrically conductive coating; the back glass plate has a reflective film on its outer surface. The color-changing electrochromic layer is placed in between the glass plates. The electrochromic material changes from clear to various darkened states when DC voltage is applied to the transparent conductive coatings.

Each interior electrochromic mirror has a forward-and rearward-facing light sensor. When the forward-facing sensor detects a low ambient light level, electronic circuitry in the mirror causes the rearward-facing sensor to become active. Once the rearward-facing sensor becomes active, it alerts the mirror’s circuitry as to when (and how much) glare is present. Voltage is then sent to the mirror, proportionate to the level of glare detected by the rearward-facing sensor. The result is a mirror that dims directly in proportion to the level of glare. The Gentex solution-phase electrochromic mirror is continuously variable and can change to, or hold at, any level in a wide reflectance range form 80 percent to 7 percent.

When there is no glare present, the electrochromic layer remains transparent, allowing a high-resolution image to be seen in the mirrored surface. When the NVS Mirror is activated by glare, the electrochromic layer darkens to only the level required to reduce the reflected glare, while allowing the image to be seen in the mirror. This advantage, found only in Gentex NVS Mirrors, makes the safest automatic-dimming mirrors available in the world.

 

Sounds a lot like those LCD windows they got, that are "frosted" until you apply a current. I wouldn't waste your time trying to custom make something like that. Better to just wait and see if they ever make an application for sideview mirrors.

 

I think the REALLY important question is...

Can I get windows like this so cops stop giving me fix-it tinting tickets?

 

The circuitry would be pretty easy. You probably don't really need anything that sophisticated for it. The trick is getting the color changing membrane and making it safe for the elements. Since it is DC activated, it probably doesn't like rain.

 

That's why ya gotta have it on the INSIDE of the window