Panel night lighting

I was flying around at sunset yesterday in the Dreamfleet A36, and I noticed it was a bit hard to see the gauges. So I naturally turned on the panel lights and radio lights, but this didn't really make the difference. I had to use the flood light overhead to see the gauges. Being a pilot I would rather use the panel lighs than a flood light. I have noticed this with other aircraft, that the night lighting of the panel doesn't come on until a certain time of the evening. Does anyone know what time that is? Can I alter the time the panel lights will illuminate?Thank you for your assistance.Kev