Electro Luminescent Dash

[Pete Masterson]

Curt,

It's probably worth the try ... don't use the flash. Brace the camera
(and your arms) on the back of the driver's seat (or where ever you
can -- and still focus). Be sure all other lights are off (put the
incandescent instrument lights on, but at a very dim level -- you
don't want to 'overpower' the EL... then set the EL at its maximum
brightness). Expect a lengthy exposure time (if your camera is fully
automatic). If possible, use a manual setting --- lens aperture wide
open, then experiment with several longer exposure times -- 1/2 sec,
1 sec, 2, sec, and see what you get. (I'm assuming a digital camera.)

You might get something useful as some digital cameras have rather
high ISO sensitivity ratings -- but expect a lot of digital noise.
You may not get anything useful -- that depends on a _lot_ of
circumstances that can't easily be predicted. i.e. the camera may
fail to focus (auto focus) in the dim light, (use manual focus if
it's available), camera shake, excessive digital noise, camera that
can't deal with the extreme low light situation, etc.

(I've had some significant photography experience in my past...)

Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
aeonix1@...
On the road at



On May 17, 2007, at 8:16 PM, Curt Sprenger wrote:

> Pete,
> You mean I should not try to take a photo? I did not think about what
> you offer in your post. Good insight!
>
> Curt Sprenger
> 1987 PT38 8V92 "MacAttack Racing"
> Anaheim Hills, Calif.
>
>
>
> Pete Masterson wrote:
>
>> I believe that all the EL panels are "baby blue"*... I know, the
>> first time I drove my new-to-me 'bird in the dark (about my 4th day
>> of ownership) it took my breath away when I turned on the lights at
>> dusk ... and as it got darker, the panel's glow became obvious.
>>
>> Taking a photo will prove difficult. Most cameras won't do very well
>> with the darkness -- and using a flash will make the panel look just
>> like it does in the daylight. A sophisticated camera with a long-
>> exposure (using a tripod or other arrangement to hold the camera
>> still) might be able to create a hint of the effect ... but human
>> vision in a dark setting is what's really necessary.
>>
>> Indeed, the first night time use, I found I had to turn the intensity
>> way down, otherwise it was simply too distracting. Now that I'm more
>> used to it, I can stop looking at the panel and pay some attention to
>> the road.
>>
>> So... my assessment -- it's "cool."
>>
>> *I have some EL night lights that plug into 110v AC and they're blue
>> green. It's a close to the BB EL panel, but BB's is more blue...
>>
>> Pete Masterson
>> '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
>> aeonix1@...
>> On the road at Lockhart Texas
>>
>> On May 17, 2007, at 6:42 PM, runnerful wrote:
>>
>>> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
>> , brad barton
>> <bbartonwx@...>
>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Ginger,
>>>> There's nothing like a Blue Bird dash. Blue Bird's engineering
>>> was so far ahead of its time even the mid 80's coaches are more
>>> advanced than many other new ones. Brad Barton 00LXiDFW
>>> bbartonwx@...
>>>
>>> You guys are doing this on purpose, aren't you. All this
>>> tantalising. Geeez. ;-) I'm all itchy to actually SEE one. Doesn't
>>> anyone have a picture of the dang thing?
>>>
>>> Are they all baby blue?
>>> Are the 1985/86 FC models luminescent?
>>> If I find an otherwise acceptable rig with a dead dash, are
>>> replacements available?
>>>
>>> Ginger
>>> BB wannabee 85FC35
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Yahoo! Groups Links
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
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