Electro Luminescent Dash

[Stephen Birtles]

if you are using a didigtal camera set it for night time mode no flash
the picture will turnout. Just be sure to rest against something so
you you dont get camera shudder
Stephen 77fc35


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, 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
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>

[Curt Sprenger]

Thanks Stephen,
Okay, now I'm challenged, more ways then one. I'll attempt to set my
camera and get a photo that one can see.

Curt Sprenger
1987 PT38 8V92 "MacAttack Racing"
Anaheim Hills, Calif.



Stephen Birtles wrote:

> if you are using a didigtal camera set it for night time mode no flash
> the picture will turnout. Just be sure to rest against something so
> you you dont get camera shudder
> Stephen 77fc35
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> , 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
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>
>

[David Brady]

It's so cool I only drive at night! I've had truckers pass me
blabbing on the CB about the cool dash in the bus!

David Brady
02LXiWNC

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
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.7.1/807 - Release Date: 5/16/2007 6:05
PM
>



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[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
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

[Pete Masterson]

Color perception is very subjective--and can be influenced by
surrounding colors (to say nothing about differences in individual
vision) ... if someone had an instrument that measured the actual
wave length of the light, it may very well be a blue-green (often
called cyan). The larger EL 'night lights' I have in the house are
more obviously green ... with a hint of blue.

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



On May 17, 2007, at 9:25 PM, dspithaler@... wrote:

>
> Pete Unless I'm color blind I think mine are a shade of green.
> More like
> some radio faces. I just had mine on tonight but I'll look at them
> tomorrow
> night. I do know they are really nice even though I don't do a lot
> of night
> driving. I did have some trouble with my bottom dash lighting last
> year which I
> thought it was the inverters. It just fixed its self. I had a
> speedometer
> that wasn't working all the time & I found a lose wire on it &
> both has been
> working every since.
> Don
> 89 SP 36'
> Butler, PA
<snip>

[runnerful]

--- 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@...

Brad,

When I first began evaluating BBs I was amazed to see central vacs,
ice makers, Corian counters, hydrolic levelers, air ride suspensions
and more in 20 year old coaches.

Ginger,
BB wannabee

[runnerful]

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Pete Masterson
wrote:

> 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.

Hi Pete,

Someone sent me two pics, one ON and one OFF. The lighted panel is
gorgeous.

>Now that I'm more used to it, I can stop looking at the panel and
pay some attention to the road.

Sounds like a good plan. LOL

Ginger
BB wannabee

[runnerful]

Hi Curt,

Bill sent me a pic. Way cool. Maybe we should have a couple of
examples in the photos section. The dash seems to be one of the
unique things about BBs and other newbees might also like to see.

Do the new birds also have this dash lighting?

Ginger
BB wannabee

[runnerful]

Hi Leroy,

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Leroy Eckert"
wrote:
>
> Tell everyone where you are. There may be a Bird in sight.

I live in Toronto. There is a bird somewhat nearby - less than a
day's drive - that's for sale. (Outside my price range.)

>No photos required. Don't go look, you will get hooked.

Too late. I've already swallowed the worm. LOL.

Ginger BB wannabee

[runnerful]

Hi Don,

Do you have any idea if replacement dashes are available?

Ginger
BB wannabee

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, dspithaler@... wrote:
> I did have some trouble with my bottom dash lighting last year
which I
> thought it was the inverters. It just fixed its self. I had a

[snip]