rope lights and EL panel

[Stephen Birtles]

It is possible to put el panel into the moulding on the side of the
coach it is very efficient and weather resistant it comes in a variety
of widths up to thirty inches wide and most coach owners already have
it on their coach. It is the dash boards and over head instrument panels

Stephen 77fc35

[Kurt Horvath]

Stephen,

Do you have a way to brighten the speedo and tach in our couches,I
should say, my coach 95 pt-42, impossible to read at night, very dull.
By the way your black water tank chemicals are by far the best I've
used in 30 years of camping Bravo!
Kurt Horvath
95 pt-42 WLWB
10QC

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Stephen Birtles"
wrote:
>
> It is possible to put el panel into the moulding on the side of the
> coach it is very efficient and weather resistant it comes in a variety
> of widths up to thirty inches wide and most coach owners already have
> it on their coach. It is the dash boards and over head instrument
panels
>
> Stephen 77fc35
>

[Leroy Eckert]

Kurt, the EL panel on my coach has nothing to do with the illumination of the speedo. Pull the panel forward and you should see at least one light bulb attachment on the back of the gauge. They are back lighted with little bulbs at least on my coach. You may have a bulb burned out. The EL panel and the gauge lights should be on separate rheostats. Leroy Eckert 1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors Dahlonega, GA Royale Conversion --- On Fri, 8/1/08, Kurt Horvath wrote: From: Kurt Horvath Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: rope lights and EL panel To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com Date: Friday, August 1, 2008, 11:22 PM Stephen, Do you have a way to brighten the speedo and tach in our couches,I should say, my coach 95 pt-42, impossible to read at night, very dull. By the way your black water tank chemicals are by far the best I've used in 30 years of camping Bravo! Kurt Horvath 95 pt-42 WLWB 10QC --- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", "Stephen Birtles" wrote: > > It is possible to put el panel into the moulding on the side of the > coach it is very efficient and weather resistant it comes in a variety > of widths up to thirty inches wide and most coach owners already have > it on their coach. It is the dash boards and over head instrument panels > > Stephen 77fc35 >

[Stephen Birtles]

Check to see if the bulbs in the gauges are burned out one in eacl of
the small gauges 2 in the tach and sppeedo
Stephen 77fc35
Makers of treatzall

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Kurt Horvath"
wrote:
>
> Stephen,
>
> Do you have a way to brighten the speedo and tach in our couches,I
> should say, my coach 95 pt-42, impossible to read at night, very dull.
> By the way your black water tank chemicals are by far the best I've
> used in 30 years of camping Bravo!
> Kurt Horvath
> 95 pt-42 WLWB
> 10QC
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Stephen Birtles"
> wrote:
> >
> > It is possible to put el panel into the moulding on the side of the
> > coach it is very efficient and weather resistant it comes in a variety
> > of widths up to thirty inches wide and most coach owners already have
> > it on their coach. It is the dash boards and over head instrument
> panels
> >
> > Stephen 77fc35
> >
>

[Kurt Horvath]

Thanks for reminding us of the basics, that's not the problem, they are
DULL, BAD design, new bulbs, still DULL.
I was hoping someone had a fix for this, I've been told to try and
cramm the largest buld that will fit and see how that works, Thanks FT.
Valley, well it doesn't work. Any ideas???
Kurt Horvath
95 PT-42 WLWB
10AC

[Leroy Eckert]

Ok, I only have two more ideas. All the Teleflex gauges are on the same rheostat at least they are on mine. I presume all the rest age good. Is it possible that someone prior used a 24v bulb; wrong pn. That is possible in aircraft for sure and 24v Prevosts I guess.??? Two, I have taken the bezel off a couple of my gauges(very carefully) and cleaned the inside of the glass and bezel. The light comes around from behind the face of the gauge and bounces off the side of the bezel onto the face to light er up. Over and out. No more ideas. Leroy Eckert 1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors Dahlonega, GA Royale Conversion --- On Sat, 8/2/08, Kurt Horvath wrote: From: Kurt Horvath Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: rope lights and EL panel To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com Date: Saturday, August 2, 2008, 10:28 AM Thanks for reminding us of the basics, that's not the problem, they are DULL, BAD design, new bulbs, still DULL. I was hoping someone had a fix for this, I've been told to try and cramm the largest buld that will fit and see how that works, Thanks FT. Valley, well it doesn't work. Any ideas??? Kurt Horvath 95 PT-42 WLWB 10AC

[Pete Masterson]

Yes, the gauges are illuminated by little bulbs ... and they're pretty dim for the speedo and tach. I've looked carefully, and can see that no bulbs burned out. Perhaps a brighter bulb might help, but I'd be concerned that the heat output might be a problem. (Where are LEDs when we need 'em?) 

While I find the dimness annoying, I don't drive my coach much at night, so I've just put up with it.

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

"aeonix1@mac.com"

On the road at Long Beach, WA

On Aug 1, 2008, at 9:16 PM, Leroy Eckert wrote:

Kurt, the EL panel on my coach has nothing to do with the illumination of the speedo. Pull the panel forward and you should see at least one light bulb attachment on the back of the gauge.  They are back lighted with little bulbs at least on my coach. You may have a bulb burned out. The EL panel and the gauge lights should be on separate rheostats. Leroy Eckert 1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors Dahlonega, GA Royale Conversion --- On Fri, 8/1/08, Kurt Horvath <"bumpersbird@yahoo.com"> wrote: From: Kurt Horvath <"bumpersbird@yahoo.com"> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: rope lights and EL panel To: "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com" Date: Friday, August 1, 2008, 11:22 PM Stephen, Do you have a way to brighten the speedo and tach in our couches,I  should say, my coach 95 pt-42, impossible to read at night, very dull. By the way your black water tank chemicals are by far the best I've  used in 30 years of camping Bravo! Kurt Horvath 95 pt-42 WLWB 10QC --- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", "Stephen Birtles"  wrote: > > It is possible to put el panel into the moulding on the side of the > coach it is very efficient and weather resistant it comes in a variety > of widths up to thirty inches wide and most coach owners already have > it on their coach. It is the dash boards and over head instrument  panels  >  > Stephen 77fc35 >

[Kurt Horvath]

I was looking at the EL light systems website and was wondering if
the very thin white wire lights could be installed on the inside of
the bezel to illuminate the dials.

It looks as though you could make those lights do just about
anything, see where a thread on a 3 day concert, Bonnaroo and
Burningman has lead us, Darn I love the web!

You might be able to tie in the controls to the dimmer for the
gauges.

This problem and the malfunctioning gauges, oil temp, oil pressure,
water temp, is the reason why I installed the SilverLeaf VMSpc with
a touch control LCD monitor in the Indulgence. Most of the other
gauges work but I would like all of them to work.

My other thought is to have a new EL panel made that incorporates an
LCD monitor, "ala, aircraft glass panel style." In the Bluebird
tradition, in combination with the old steam gauges, you'd have a
great dash board that has redundancy built in

Kurt Horvath
95 PT-42 WLWB
10AC


-- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Pete Masterson
wrote:
>
> Yes, the gauges are illuminated by little bulbs ... and they're
> pretty dim for the speedo and tach. I've looked carefully, and
can
> see that no bulbs burned out. Perhaps a brighter bulb might help,
but
> I'd be concerned that the heat output might be a problem. (Where
are
> LEDs when we need 'em?)
>
> While I find the dimness annoying, I don't drive my coach much at
> night, so I've just put up with it.
>
> Pete Masterson
> '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
> aeonix1@...
> On the road at Long Beach, WA
>
>
>
> On Aug 1, 2008, at 9:16 PM, Leroy Eckert wrote:
>
> > Kurt, the EL panel on my coach has nothing to do with the
> > illumination of the speedo. Pull the panel forward and you
should
> > see at least one light bulb attachment on the back of the
gauge.
> > They are back lighted with little bulbs at least on my coach.
You
> > may have a bulb burned out. The EL panel and the gauge lights
> > should be on separate rheostats.
> > Leroy Eckert
> > 1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors
> > Dahlonega, GA
> > Royale Conversion
> >
> > --- On Fri, 8/1/08, Kurt Horvath wrote:
> > From: Kurt Horvath
> > Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: rope lights and EL panel
> > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> > Date: Friday, August 1, 2008, 11:22 PM
> >
> > Stephen,
> >
> > Do you have a way to brighten the speedo and tach in our
couches,I
> > should say, my coach 95 pt-42, impossible to read at night, very
dull.
> > By the way your black water tank chemicals are by far the best
I've
> > used in 30 years of camping Bravo!
> > Kurt Horvath
> > 95 pt-42 WLWB
> > 10QC
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com, "Stephen Birtles"
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > It is possible to put el panel into the moulding on the side
of the
> > > coach it is very efficient and weather resistant it comes in
a
> > variety
> > > of widths up to thirty inches wide and most coach owners
already
> > have
> > > it on their coach. It is the dash boards and over head
instrument
> > panels
> > >
> > > Stephen 77fc35
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>

[Gregory OConnor]

Kurt, I agree with you that the gauges are hard to see at night. I
thought it was an el contrast issue. I recently ran the bus with the
el off and realized that the gauges are just hard to read. I think
the design of indirect bouncing light from the side of the dial is
the issue. I think the dial seeing problem is more obvious now
because the dial illumination has been improvrd in the newer cars we
drive. I guess you could just copy the new car design ????? I bet
some of the hot rod sites have gauge remakes. In a pinch If you tape
a white business card across the lower gauge it helps bounce some
light on the dial

I think I have seen some engraving art done on plastic where the
plastic was backlit or side lit or somthing. I know metal is your
medium/canvas but maybe an engraved plastic watermark design over an
EL backdrop then covered by an opaque decal showing values would
make some cool gauges????

GregoryO'Connor
94ptRomolandCa



--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Kurt Horvath"
wrote:
>
> I was looking at the EL light systems website and was wondering if
> the very thin white wire lights could be installed on the inside
of
> the bezel to illuminate the dials.
>
> It looks as though you could make those lights do just about
> anything, see where a thread on a 3 day concert, Bonnaroo and
> Burningman has lead us, Darn I love the web!
>
> You might be able to tie in the controls to the dimmer for the
> gauges.
>
> This problem and the malfunctioning gauges, oil temp, oil
pressure,
> water temp, is the reason why I installed the SilverLeaf VMSpc
with
> a touch control LCD monitor in the Indulgence. Most of the other
> gauges work but I would like all of them to work.
>
> My other thought is to have a new EL panel made that incorporates
an
> LCD monitor, "ala, aircraft glass panel style." In the Bluebird
> tradition, in combination with the old steam gauges, you'd have a
> great dash board that has redundancy built in
>
> Kurt Horvath
> 95 PT-42 WLWB
> 10AC
>
>
> -- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Pete Masterson
> wrote:
> >
> > Yes, the gauges are illuminated by little bulbs ... and they're
> > pretty dim for the speedo and tach. I've looked carefully, and
> can
> > see that no bulbs burned out. Perhaps a brighter bulb might
help,
> but
> > I'd be concerned that the heat output might be a problem. (Where
> are
> > LEDs when we need 'em?)
> >
> > While I find the dimness annoying, I don't drive my coach much
at
> > night, so I've just put up with it.
> >
> > Pete Masterson
> > '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
> > aeonix1@
> > On the road at Long Beach, WA
> >
> >
> >
> > On Aug 1, 2008, at 9:16 PM, Leroy Eckert wrote:
> >
> > > Kurt, the EL panel on my coach has nothing to do with the
> > > illumination of the speedo. Pull the panel forward and you
> should
> > > see at least one light bulb attachment on the back of the
> gauge.
> > > They are back lighted with little bulbs at least on my coach.
> You
> > > may have a bulb burned out. The EL panel and the gauge lights
> > > should be on separate rheostats.
> > > Leroy Eckert
> > > 1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors
> > > Dahlonega, GA
> > > Royale Conversion
> > >
> > > --- On Fri, 8/1/08, Kurt Horvath wrote:
> > > From: Kurt Horvath
> > > Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: rope lights and EL panel
> > > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> > > Date: Friday, August 1, 2008, 11:22 PM
> > >
> > > Stephen,
> > >
> > > Do you have a way to brighten the speedo and tach in our
> couches,I
> > > should say, my coach 95 pt-42, impossible to read at night,
very
> dull.
> > > By the way your black water tank chemicals are by far the best
> I've
> > > used in 30 years of camping Bravo!
> > > Kurt Horvath
> > > 95 pt-42 WLWB
> > > 10QC
> > >
> > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com, "Stephen Birtles"
> > > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > It is possible to put el panel into the moulding on the side
> of the
> > > > coach it is very efficient and weather resistant it comes in
> a
> > > variety
> > > > of widths up to thirty inches wide and most coach owners
> already
> > > have
> > > > it on their coach. It is the dash boards and over head
> instrument
> > > panels
> > > >
> > > > Stephen 77fc35
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>

[birdshill123]

I guess none of the BB engineers ever drove one at night. Our 88FC
also has that same night vision problem. I am tempted to install some
beehive ugly blue lights high up that would shine on the dash!! Very
50's!!

Bruce

1988 FC 35