Instrument illumination

Re: Instrument illumination

feeds@yuku.com (OldNoccer) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 21:32:43 GMT

My car's previous owner (Pep) cured the leaks - he threw the rotting carpets out and drilled several holes in the floor. I don't know if he drove in wellies, but the net leak rate went to zero as everything that leaked in, leaked out again. To be fair, I think this was a desperate act after many years of attempting every know trick to stop the water getting in.

Re: Instrument illumination

feeds@yuku.com (Aviator UK) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:47:11 GMT

Mike009 Gardner wrote:
Now then Aviator ! Curing leaks ? that`s a bit ambitious isn`t it ? we are talking Marcos after all.

Lol Yes Mike, we are, but we can live in hope eh!

Re: Instrument illumination

feeds@yuku.com (Mike009 Gardner) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:18:36 GMT

Now then Aviator ! Curing leaks ? that`s a bit ambitious isn`t it ? we are talking Marcos after all.

Re: Instrument illumination

feeds@yuku.com (Aviator UK) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:15:49 GMT

socramsnalla wrote:
I think Jack is correct. I looked over a later model Mantara than mine at the Ace Cafe meet and it had an additional lip to the top of the dash over the Speedo and Rev counter which looked standard and would have helped cut the reflection.

Hmmm, me thinks I'll have to compare mine with some of the "non-reflective" types. If I could cure the reflections and the leaks that would be...

Re: Instrument illumination

feeds@yuku.com (socramsnalla) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 23:12:54 GMT

I think Jack is correct. I looked over a later model Mantara than mine at the Ace Cafe meet and it had an additional lip to the top of the dash over the Speedo and Rev counter which looked standard and would have helped cut the reflection.

Re: Instrument illumination

feeds@yuku.com (Aviator UK) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:31:04 GMT

Jack wrote:
The later dashboard (IIRC fitted from about 1996) appears to have been modified to overcome this reflection in the screen and extends further out over the instruments.

I'm not too sure Jack, my LM400 was built in '97, registered 2001 but it still has the dreaded "reflections"

Re: Instrument illumination

feeds@yuku.com (Caranca1) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 09:10:01 GMT

Have a look at Rapid Electronics - there is all sorts of lovely bits to start playing with.

http://www.rapidonline.com/Electronic-Components/Optoelectronics/10mm-LEDs/High-intensity-10mm-LED/64870/kw/LED

Re: Instrument illumination

feeds@yuku.com (OldNoccer) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 20:01:30 GMT

So if the reflections come from the speedo to the driver passing the lip on the crash-pad, and bouncing off the screen, surely they should be worse for a tall person. I can see I am going to have to go in the garage and experiment as I have never seen any reflections - maybe the later cars had more overhang on the crash pad.

Re: Instrument illumination

feeds@yuku.com (Aviator UK) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 19:22:29 GMT

ah yes, I remember those reflections from the days when I used to drive my little beauty. I think a slight extension of the dash where it overhangs the instruments would cure it. I am surprised that no one has made a new dash template to sort this little issue.

Re: Instrument illumination

feeds@yuku.com (socramsnalla) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:27:33 GMT

OldNoccer wrote:

Oh yes ... sorry what was the question ? Ah - reflections - light travels in straight lines - so a bit of hand waving will allow you to track down the origin of your reflections. If your hand is in the way, the reflection will magically disappear. Maybe your interior light is staying on without you realising, or your trousers have caught fire ?

Steve

Hi Steve
...

Re: Instrument illumination

feeds@yuku.com (OldNoccer) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:35:02 GMT

Aah ! The joys of an open top car - the wind in my hair ... damn - left it too late ! The wind in my beard isn't quite the same.

Which is why I have a coupe, nice and cosy on those chilly nights - snuggling up in a comfy leather recliner alongside a V8 heater - lovely leather smell - beautiful NASCAR sound system playing my favourite tunes - and the scenery rushing towards me as the advanced traction control system in the seat of my pants tries to tell the right foot to lift off...

Re: Instrument illumination

feeds@yuku.com (Mike009 Gardner) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:17:32 GMT

sorry, I should have said reflection from rev counter not speedo but it still amazes me how it can happen , it seems to defy all the laws of smoke and mirrors to get reflection from under such a small dash with an overhang . Maybe the light bounces off my folically challenged pate !!

Re: Instrument illumination

feeds@yuku.com (martineztop) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 22:27:13 GMT

you can dim LEDs, but only so far, then they just go off.

Re: Instrument illumination

feeds@yuku.com (OldNoccer) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:25:47 GMT

I am confused how you have the reflection of the speedo in your line of sight. Maybe you are a lot taller than me. There is not enough brightness in mine to cause a reflection off anything., but with the overhang of the padded dash and the angle of the screen, I am surprised you can get a reflection at all.

Now I look at the links I see some truth in the fact you can't dim LEDs, but also it seems the little Maplin jobs are unlikely to be bright enough.

Steve

Re: Instrument illumination

feeds@yuku.com (Jack) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:04:15 GMT

The later dashboard (IIRC fitted from about 1996) appears to have been modified to overcome this reflection in the screen and extends further out over the instruments.

Re: Instrument illumination

feeds@yuku.com (Mike009 Gardner) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:51:58 GMT

Personally I think I`d rather have dim instruments than a reflection in the screen at night. I find it anoying enough just having the reflection of the speedo right in my line of sight .

Re: Instrument illumination

feeds@yuku.com (socramsnalla) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:00:47 GMT

martineztop wrote:
think this bloke has been through it all

He certainly has

Re: Instrument illumination

feeds@yuku.com (martineztop) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 22:01:25 GMT

er, no, didn't see Dirk's reply, my response was to your LED Dimmer circuit, but just to resolve the issue and sod the cost try these
http://www.ultraleds.co.uk/u987-small-screw-fitting-bulb-leds-white-p-1028.html?osCsid=62d926ca0b5d1c5ca8b86af77d5d2387
nicked it from here

Re: Instrument illumination

feeds@yuku.com (OldNoccer) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:04:01 GMT

So you disagree with Dirk - well I'll sit back and watch the argument over this.
Steve

Re: Instrument illumination

feeds@yuku.com (martineztop) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:17:53 GMT

I think this may be a bit over the top mate, doubt you'll get a noticeable difference, just stick a pot in series and see how it is, don't forget the resistor too

Instrument illumination

feeds@yuku.com (socramsnalla) — Tue, 19 May 2009 10:15:51 GMT

I got really p***ed off on Friday night at having to peer at gloomy dials that I could hardly read so I took the dash apart on Saturday with the intention of cleaning up the bulbs and bulb holders but found that they were pristine and as clean as a whistle. However, I did notice that the bulbs in all the instruments are rated at 2.2 watts so as an experiment I have swapped them for 5 watts.

It worked, I can now real my dials in the dark but come on learned ones. What risks do I run?...