rope lights and EL panel

[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
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>