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Installing New Gauge in Electroluminescent Panel - Printable Version

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+--- Thread: Installing New Gauge in Electroluminescent Panel (/showthread.php?tid=7729)

Installing New Gauge in Electroluminescent Panel - Eric Johnson - 03-03-2009 12:58

I'm installing a new gauge in an empty spot on our 84FC35 instrument panel (this
is a Wanderlodge II which doesn't have all of the instruments other FC's have).
I need to cut a 2 inch hole in the panel.

I have the panel free and can see that it's clear below. Question is: Has
anyone cut a hole for a gauge in one of these panels? If so, let me know if you
have any tips on how to do it. My plan at this point is to drill a number of
small holes around the perimeter of the circle and then join them with a small
Dremel cutting tool.

Eric Johnson
84FC35SBWLII

Installing New Gauge in Electroluminescent Panel - Leroy Eckert - 03-03-2009 13:50

Better as Birtles. I would guess you will have made a very expensive mistake and trashed the panel.
Leroy Eckert
1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors
Dahlonega, GA
Royale Conversion

--- On Tue, 3/3/09, Eric Johnson wrote:
From: Eric Johnson
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Installing New Gauge in Electroluminescent Panel
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2009, 7:58 PM



I'm installing a new gauge in an empty spot on our 84FC35 instrument panel (this is a Wanderlodge II which doesn't have all of the instruments other FC's have). I need to cut a 2 inch hole in the panel.



I have the panel free and can see that it's clear below. Question is: Has anyone cut a hole for a gauge in one of these panels? If so, let me know if you have any tips on how to do it. My plan at this point is to drill a number of small holes around the perimeter of the circle and then join them with a small Dremel cutting tool.



Eric Johnson

84FC35SBWLII





Installing New Gauge in Electroluminescent Panel - Ron Thompson - 03-04-2009 01:43

I would invest in a Greenlee punch if I were you. Drilling those small holes is going to create a lot of metal falling all over the place and you will also end up having to file the perimiter to get it rounded to the right size. A Greenlee punch will require only one small hole to be drilled for the tightening bolt. You can google for Greenlee punches and find what you need. Most auto parts stores and probably Home Depot or Lowes should have them.

Ron Thompson -Waller, Tx.

1995 WLWB 42'

(cockyfox@...)

--- On Tue, 3/3/09, Eric Johnson wrote:
From: Eric Johnson
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Installing New Gauge in Electroluminescent Panel
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2009, 6:58 PM



I'm installing a new gauge in an empty spot on our 84FC35 instrument panel (this is a Wanderlodge II which doesn't have all of the instruments other FC's have). I need to cut a 2 inch hole in the panel.



I have the panel free and can see that it's clear below. Question is: Has anyone cut a hole for a gauge in one of these panels? If so, let me know if you have any tips on how to do it. My plan at this point is to drill a number of small holes around the perimeter of the circle and then join them with a small Dremel cutting tool.



Eric Johnson

84FC35SBWLII





Installing New Gauge in Electroluminescent Panel - Stephen Birtles - 03-04-2009 03:05

Warning warning

if you drill or punch the el panel and pierce a lighted portion of the panel you
will destroy the panel

be very careful in your endeavors

Stephen 77fc35





--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Ron Thompson wrote:
>
> I would invest in a Greenlee punch if I were you. Drilling those small holes
is going to create a lot of metal falling all over the place and you will also
end up having to file the perimiter to get it rounded to the right size. A
Greenlee punch will require only one small hole to be drilled for the tightening
bolt. You can google for Greenlee punches and find what you need. Most auto
parts stores and probably Home Depot or Lowes should have them.
>
> Ron Thompson -Waller, Tx.
>
> 1995 WLWB 42'
>
> (cockyfox@...)
>
> --- On Tue, 3/3/09, Eric Johnson wrote:
> From: Eric Johnson
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Installing New Gauge in Electroluminescent Panel
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2009, 6:58 PM
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> I'm installing a new gauge in an empty spot on our 84FC35
instrument panel (this is a Wanderlodge II which doesn't have all of the
instruments other FC's have). I need to cut a 2 inch hole in the panel.
>
>
>
> I have the panel free and can see that it's clear below. Question is: Has
anyone cut a hole for a gauge in one of these panels? If so, let me know if you
have any tips on how to do it. My plan at this point is to drill a number of
small holes around the perimeter of the circle and then join them with a small
Dremel cutting tool.
>
>
>
> Eric Johnson
>
> 84FC35SBWLII
>

Installing New Gauge in Electroluminescent Panel - Ron Thompson - 03-04-2009 03:10

Thats very true, if there are embedded lights in the panel and you punch into one, the panel would definitely be damaged.

Ron Thompson -Waller, Tx.

1995 WLWB 42'

(cockyfox@...)

--- On Wed, 3/4/09, Stephen Birtles wrote:
From: Stephen Birtles
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Installing New Gauge in Electroluminescent Panel
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Date: Wednesday, March 4, 2009, 9:05 AM



Warning warning



if you drill or punch the el panel and pierce a lighted portion of the panel you will destroy the panel



be very careful in your endeavors



Stephen 77fc35



--- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", Ron Thompson wrote:

>

> I would invest in a Greenlee punch if I were you. Drilling those small holes is going to create a lot of metal falling all over the place and you will also end up having to file the perimiter to get it rounded to the right size. A Greenlee punch will require only one small hole to be drilled for the tightening bolt. You can google for Greenlee punches and find what you need. Most auto parts stores and probably Home Depot or Lowes should have them.

>

> Ron Thompson -Waller, Tx.

>

> 1995 WLWB 42'

>

> (cockyfox@.. .)

>

> --- On Tue, 3/3/09, Eric Johnson wrote:

> From: Eric Johnson

> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Installing New Gauge in Electroluminescent Panel

> To: "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com"

> Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2009, 6:58 PM

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> I'm installing a new gauge in an empty spot on our 84FC35 instrument panel (this is a Wanderlodge II which doesn't have all of the instruments other FC's have). I need to cut a 2 inch hole in the panel.

>

>

>

> I have the panel free and can see that it's clear below. Question is: Has anyone cut a hole for a gauge in one of these panels? If so, let me know if you have any tips on how to do it. My plan at this point is to drill a number of small holes around the perimeter of the circle and then join them with a small Dremel cutting tool.

>

>

>

> Eric Johnson

>

> 84FC35SBWLII

>





Installing New Gauge in Electroluminescent Panel - Eric Johnson - 03-04-2009 04:09

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Eric Johnson" wrote:

Thanks for the thoughts. FYI, the electroluminescent panel in our 84FC has a
top vinyl layer on top of a non-metallic substrate. I'm well away from the
luminescent display lines and the electrical connections to the display so don't
think I'll do any damage to the panel. A BB friend suggested offline that I cut
the vinyl with a sharp blade and then use a hole saw at very low rpm to keep
from damaging anything. That may be the best idea if I can find a hole saw that
will fit a 2.06 inch diameter gauge body.

Eric Johnson
84FC35SBWLII

>
> I'm installing a new gauge in an empty spot on our 84FC35 instrument panel
(this is a Wanderlodge II which doesn't have all of the instruments other FC's
have). I need to cut a 2 inch hole in the panel.
>
> I have the panel free and can see that it's clear below. Question is: Has
anyone cut a hole for a gauge in one of these panels? If so, let me know if you
have any tips on how to do it. My plan at this point is to drill a number of
small holes around the perimeter of the circle and then join them with a small
Dremel cutting tool.
>
> Eric Johnson
> 84FC35SBWLII
>

Installing New Gauge in Electroluminescent Panel - GARY MINKER - 03-04-2009 06:42

Don't Do This, It Will Ruin The EL Panel

--- On Wed, 3/4/09, Eric Johnson wrote:
From: Eric Johnson
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Installing New Gauge in Electroluminescent Panel
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Date: Wednesday, March 4, 2009, 11:09 AM



--- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com, "Eric Johnson" wrote:



Thanks for the thoughts. FYI, the electroluminescent panel in our 84FC has a top vinyl layer on top of a non-metallic substrate. I'm well away from the luminescent display lines and the electrical connections to the display so don't think I'll do any damage to the panel. A BB friend suggested offline that I cut the vinyl with a sharp blade and then use a hole saw at very low rpm to keep from damaging anything. That may be the best idea if I can find a hole saw that will fit a 2.06 inch diameter gauge body.



Eric Johnson

84FC35SBWLII



>

> I'm installing a new gauge in an empty spot on our 84FC35 instrument panel (this is a Wanderlodge II which doesn't have all of the instruments other FC's have). I need to cut a 2 inch hole in the panel.

>

> I have the panel free and can see that it's clear below. Question is: Has anyone cut a hole for a gauge in one of these panels? If so, let me know if you have any tips on how to do it. My plan at this point is to drill a number of small holes around the perimeter of the circle and then join them with a small Dremel cutting tool.

>

> Eric Johnson

> 84FC35SBWLII

>





Installing New Gauge in Electroluminescent Panel - Ron Thompson - 03-04-2009 07:58

Eric,
I use hole saws all the time and I can tell you this. Your best bet is to use a Greenlee punch. A hole saw can skip on you and then you would have a mess. One skip and a good job goes bad. Greenlee punch's are expensive I know. I use hole saws on wood, but when I have to cut a round hole in metal its always a Greenlee punch.

Of course it is your BB. Thats my final word on it and I will back on out of here.


Ron Thompson -Waller, Tx.

1995 WLWB 42'

(cockyfox@...)

--- On Wed, 3/4/09, Eric Johnson wrote:
From: Eric Johnson
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Installing New Gauge in Electroluminescent Panel
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Date: Wednesday, March 4, 2009, 10:09 AM



--- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", "Eric Johnson" wrote:



Thanks for the thoughts. FYI, the electroluminescent panel in our 84FC has a top vinyl layer on top of a non-metallic substrate. I'm well away from the luminescent display lines and the electrical connections to the display so don't think I'll do any damage to the panel. A BB friend suggested offline that I cut the vinyl with a sharp blade and then use a hole saw at very low rpm to keep from damaging anything. That may be the best idea if I can find a hole saw that will fit a 2.06 inch diameter gauge body.



Eric Johnson

84FC35SBWLII



>

> I'm installing a new gauge in an empty spot on our 84FC35 instrument panel (this is a Wanderlodge II which doesn't have all of the instruments other FC's have). I need to cut a 2 inch hole in the panel.

>

> I have the panel free and can see that it's clear below. Question is: Has anyone cut a hole for a gauge in one of these panels? If so, let me know if you have any tips on how to do it. My plan at this point is to drill a number of small holes around the perimeter of the circle and then join them with a small Dremel cutting tool.

>

> Eric Johnson

> 84FC35SBWLII

>





Installing New Gauge in Electroluminescent Panel - Wayne Kotila - 03-04-2009 13:19

You could buy the correct size hole saw and use a drill, put a cloth below to catch all the shavings, but be careful where you drill if you have the 110volt luminescent dash.
Wayne


From: Ron Thompson
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, March 4, 2009 7:43:11 AM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Installing New Gauge in Electroluminescent Panel





I would invest in a Greenlee punch if I were you. Drilling those small holes is going to create a lot of metal falling all over the place and you will also end up having to file the perimiter to get it rounded to the right size. A Greenlee punch will require only one small hole to be drilled for the tightening bolt. You can google for Greenlee punches and find what you need. Most auto parts stores and probably Home Depot or Lowes should have them.

Ron Thompson -Waller, Tx.
1995 WLWB 42'
(cockyfox@sbcglobal .net)

--- On Tue, 3/3/09, Eric Johnson wrote:

From: Eric Johnson
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Installing New Gauge in Electroluminescent Panel
To: WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com
Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2009, 6:58 PM




I'm installing a new gauge in an empty spot on our 84FC35 instrument panel (this is a Wanderlodge II which doesn't have all of the instruments other FC's have). I need to cut a 2 inch hole in the panel.

I have the panel free and can see that it's clear below. Question is: Has anyone cut a hole for a gauge in one of these panels? If so, let me know if you have any tips on how to do it. My plan at this point is to drill a number of small holes around the perimeter of the circle and then join them with a small Dremel cutting tool.

Eric Johnson
84FC35SBWLII