New product: matching HVAC controls (black+red dash) - LotusTalk

newman · 04-22-2009, 08:08 PM

One of the biggest aesthetic gripes I have about the interior of the elise/exige has been the climate controls. During the day they are, at best, acceptable; at night the sickly orange glow is very dim and almost matches the earlier style cluster. It isn't even close to the new style black+red dash.

Thus the inception of this new HVAC control.

The installed faceplate has a nearly OEM appearance. It has a similar texture and matte finish of the standard unit, only in a much more appealing color scheme. Printed with specialty ink, it is UV protected and very durable. Individuals who I have shown the installed part to are shocked it isn't OEM.

The lighting is brighter than stock, but by no means distracting. An added bonus is that you can actually see the illuminated position indicator on the knobs.

Its not simply an overlay. It's a complete replacement for your stock unit, allowing you to change back at any time. It comes pre-assembled and includes the following:

-Laser cut and CNC machined aluminum backing plate
-Black & red faceplate
-Electroluminescent backlight
-Electroluminescent transformer
-Aluminum standoffs for circuit board
-Mounting screws for circuit board
-Connectors
-Installation instructions

Installation takes about 15-35 minutes, depending on your degree of experience and requires only the following tools:

-2mm hex key
-14mm open end wrench
-Phillips screwdriver
-Pliers

Items would ship in less than 2 weeks from today.

The initial pricing is $175 and will probably only go up.

Pictures (shown with black painted HVAC surround):

At night the white is a very close match. This picture seems to show it a little more "blue" than it really is. I am having a hard time getting a representative picture.

I am also able to do custom color schemes on a case by case basis.

Examples:
Black faceplate with WHITE markings (day), Black faceplate with RED markings at night

Black faceplate with RED markings (day), Black faceplate with RED markings at night

Black faceplate with WHITE markings (day), Black faceplate with KRYPTON GREEN markings at night

I am also able to add logos, extra text, and custom designs of your choosing.

In development is a silver OEM style unit that illuminates more brightly in your choice of colors. Use it to match your headunit, painted AC surround, etc etc.

The only weight difference is in the weight of the transformer is about 1"x1"x1" and weighs only a few ounces. It easily mounts out of sight.

This is a gauging interest thread, I have inquired about advertising and will proceed as fit.

VisualEchos · 04-22-2009, 09:01 PM

Looks great man.

Aedo · 04-22-2009, 09:46 PM

First class work (as anticipated from you!!)

kaz · 04-23-2009, 09:55 AM

awesome! post when they're ready I'll get one fo sho

spectre · 04-23-2009, 09:57 AM

Im diggin it!
It looks like it lights up better...stock one is not very bright at night.

breinhar · 04-23-2009, 10:04 AM

Time for me to look stupid.

I didnt know that the hvac lit up at night. I dont recall mine ever doing that since i bought it. I guess I have a bad bulb or something.

Anyway, nice setup. It looks good.

spectre · 04-23-2009, 10:10 AM

On the back of the alum panel there is a set of plugs. It could have easily not been installed correctly or all the way on. Mine was not. But either way its a tiny uneven amount of light that shines through...

chapster5 · 04-23-2009, 10:15 AM

I would definatly be interested if i had a lotus

Chris Mackey · 04-23-2009, 10:17 AM

Good work!

newman · 04-23-2009, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spectre

Im diggin it!
It looks like it lights up better...stock one is not very bright at night.

The stock unit is garbage. This totally brings the interior to life...

Quote:

Originally Posted by breinhar

Time for me to look stupid.

I didnt know that the hvac lit up at night. I dont recall mine ever doing that since i bought it. I guess I have a bad bulb or something.

Anyway, nice setup. It looks good.

It's actually an "indiglo" panel on a transformer. It's possible that the panel simply isn't plugged into the transformer as stated below.

Quote:

Originally Posted by spectre

On the back of the alum panel there is a set of plugs. It could have easily not been installed correctly or all the way on. Mine was not. But either way its a tiny uneven amount of light that shines through...

Yes, the light emitted from the stock unit is terrible. Especially the amount that makes it to the knobs. You can't tell where the knobs are unless you turn them all the way to a stop and estimate their location.

Does the color scheme suit you guys?

05/06/07 guys, I can make some pretty slick looking lighting schemes for your cars, too. Tell me what you want to see and I will get some prototypes made up... For instance I can make a yellow that will match 05 dashes and will light up a LOT more (will be able to see the knob.

Just let me know what you want to see.

darkSol · 04-23-2009, 07:14 PM

Newman... make a 2005-2007 indiglo gauge panel that looks like the 2008.... I'm serious - set both of them as a set.

basstwo · 04-23-2009, 07:43 PM

Definitely interested. When can we buy?

BTW, does the red recirculation arrow also light up?

tandemracer · 04-23-2009, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkSol

Newman... make a 2005-2007 indiglo gauge panel that looks like the 2008.... I'm serious - set both of them as a set.

Now we're talking. Is this possible???

luxige · 04-23-2009, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkSol

Newman... make a 2005-2007 indiglo gauge panel that looks like the 2008.... I'm serious - set both of them as a set.

Genius!
Hell yes.

91MR2 · 04-23-2009, 09:02 PM

I can vouch for this guy...

newman · 04-24-2009, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkSol

Newman... make a 2005-2007 indiglo gauge panel that looks like the 2008.... I'm serious - set both of them as a set.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tandemracer

Now we're talking. Is this possible???

Quote:

Originally Posted by luxige

Genius!
Hell yes.

I certainly COULD do this. However, there are 2 potential complications.

1) It's not a simple DIY to replace the display in the cluster, so I would have to have a core charge.

2) From my understanding, the LCD panel backlight is a special lotus programmed unit. I am unsure if i would be able to change it's color. Though filtering yellow/orange to red is certainly possible, not like it needs to go to white or blue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by basstwo

Definitely interested. When can we buy?

BTW, does the red recirculation arrow also light up?

I will have a prototype set of ten or so available next week. And yes, it does light up, just kinda hard to see in that picture. Taking pictures of lights in the dark is not a forte' of my camera or myself.

BealeAss · 04-24-2009, 06:17 AM

Looks awesome, I'd dig one for my 05 Elise.

basstwo · 04-24-2009, 10:10 AM

Please put me down for one. Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by newman

I will have a prototype set of ten or so available next week. And yes, it does light up, just kinda hard to see in that picture. Taking pictures of lights in the dark is not a forte' of my camera or myself.

pkhot915 · 04-24-2009, 11:23 AM

me too
pkhot915@yahoo.com

newman · 04-24-2009, 11:26 AM

I actually think i will have about 13 available by the beginning of next week. I just received 13 backing panels with standoffs in the mail and am waiting on shipment of the rest of the parts.

04-22-2009, 08:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
newman POSITIVE! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 1,005	New product: matching HVAC controls (black+red dash) One of the biggest aesthetic gripes I have about the interior of the elise/exige has been the climate controls. During the day they are, at best, acceptable; at night the sickly orange glow is very dim and almost matches the earlier style cluster. It isn't even close to the new style black+red dash. Thus the inception of this new HVAC control. The installed faceplate has a nearly OEM appearance. It has a similar texture and matte finish of the standard unit, only in a much more appealing color scheme. Printed with specialty ink, it is UV protected and very durable. Individuals who I have shown the installed part to are shocked it isn't OEM. The lighting is brighter than stock, but by no means distracting. An added bonus is that you can actually see the illuminated position indicator on the knobs. Its not simply an overlay. It's a complete replacement for your stock unit, allowing you to change back at any time. It comes pre-assembled and includes the following: -Laser cut and CNC machined aluminum backing plate -Black & red faceplate -Electroluminescent backlight -Electroluminescent transformer -Aluminum standoffs for circuit board -Mounting screws for circuit board -Connectors -Installation instructions Installation takes about 15-35 minutes, depending on your degree of experience and requires only the following tools: -2mm hex key -14mm open end wrench -Phillips screwdriver -Pliers Items would ship in less than 2 weeks from today. The initial pricing is $175 and will probably only go up. Pictures (shown with black painted HVAC surround): At night the white is a very close match. This picture seems to show it a little more "blue" than it really is. I am having a hard time getting a representative picture. I am also able to do custom color schemes on a case by case basis. Examples: Black faceplate with WHITE markings (day), Black faceplate with RED markings at night Black faceplate with RED markings (day), Black faceplate with RED markings at night Black faceplate with WHITE markings (day), Black faceplate with KRYPTON GREEN markings at night I am also able to add logos, extra text, and custom designs of your choosing. In development is a silver OEM style unit that illuminates more brightly in your choice of colors. Use it to match your headunit, painted AC surround, etc etc. The only weight difference is in the weight of the transformer is about 1"x1"x1" and weighs only a few ounces. It easily mounts out of sight. This is a gauging interest thread, I have inquired about advertising and will proceed as fit. __________________ 2008 Aspen White Exige S240: CF splitter\|CF wing\|CF diffuser\|CF side scoops\|CF mirrors\|Arquay Titanium\|Von-hep delete\|Saikou Michi catch can\|Cup car airbox\|6000K HIDs\|Custom short shift\|Stan+sector111+ctn shifter mods\|vinyl wrapped floorboards\|Flat black AC surround & center gusset\|Tow hooks\|Bootie\|Led park & plate lights\|Smoked front sidemarkers\|DRL delete\|Hella Supertones\|JVC KDAVX44 head unit\|Boyo 420t back up cam. PICS E30GTR Build... too slow... http://www.onyxsyndicate.com/newman

04-22-2009, 09:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
VisualEchos Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,015 Images: 3	Looks great man. __________________ My Car

04-23-2009, 09:55 AM	#4 (permalink)
kaz JabStrongFierce Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Downtown LA + SF Posts: 2,420	awesome! post when they're ready I'll get one fo sho __________________ 2006 Elise : JFG \| Nitrons \| 2bular 8" Single \| Reverie diffuser and misc. carbon bits \| Tripoint Engineering W/A Intercooler \| Ronin supercharger \| DRS EFI and tuning

04-23-2009, 09:57 AM	#5 (permalink)
spectre the designer Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 767	Im diggin it! It looks like it lights up better...stock one is not very bright at night. __________________ 2008 Exige S 240 For Sale: 2005 stock shifter console and change holder. PM if your interested.

04-23-2009, 10:04 AM	#6 (permalink)
breinhar Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Poconos Posts: 404	Time for me to look stupid. I didnt know that the hvac lit up at night. I dont recall mine ever doing that since i bought it. I guess I have a bad bulb or something. Anyway, nice setup. It looks good. __________________ "I think a Ferrari is a scaled down version of..... God"

04-22-2009, 09:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
Aedo anglophile in exile Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Oz Posts: 2,569 Images: 88	First class work (as anticipated from you!!)

04-23-2009, 10:10 AM	#7 (permalink)
spectre the designer Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 767	On the back of the alum panel there is a set of plugs. It could have easily not been installed correctly or all the way on. Mine was not. But either way its a tiny uneven amount of light that shines through... __________________ 2008 Exige S 240 For Sale: 2005 stock shifter console and change holder. PM if your interested.

04-23-2009, 10:15 AM	#8 (permalink)
chapster5 Photochopper Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Merseyside, UK Posts: 2,639 Images: 6	I would definatly be interested if i had a lotus __________________ http://www.chuforiagraphics.com/ FOR ALL YOUR GRAPHICS NEEDS CONTACT KEITH ON: sweetdaddydelicious (AT) hotmail (DOT) com

04-23-2009, 10:17 AM	#9 (permalink)
Chris Mackey Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 2,587	Good work! __________________ 2006 Elise, Ardent Red, Black Pack, LSS wheels, shocks and springs. ChuforiaGraffix.com SDD Lives On! SweetDaddyDelicious(at)hotmail(dot)com

04-23-2009, 07:14 PM	#11 (permalink)
darkSol Meow!! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Leawood, KS Posts: 2,576	Newman... make a 2005-2007 indiglo gauge panel that looks like the 2008.... I'm serious - set both of them as a set. __________________ d.a..v...i....d David Thomas Stewart - davidtstewart@gmail.com TVS Supercharged 2005 Graphite Grey Lotus Elise: 286whp, 1781lbs. Lotus cars aren't made, they're hand built from dreams. If you must choose between two evils, pick the one you've never tried before.

04-23-2009, 07:43 PM	#12 (permalink)
basstwo Basstwo Join Date: May 2008 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 47	Definitely interested. When can we buy? BTW, does the red recirculation arrow also light up? __________________ 2008 Exige S240 Mods: BSK CF Sideskirts, CF side scoops, CF Wing & Splitter, OMP Superquadro Steering Wheel, Works Bell hub, Bullet Cam, Matt CF Interior Bits, Larini Header + Sports Cat + Race Muffler, Lotus Sport 2-Way Ohlins, Adj Front ARB, Cup 255 I/C, Oil Catch Can, TRD airbox, Nitron QR, RLS I/C Tubes, Track HQ engine mounts, Proalloy Fuel Tank & Radiator, Alum Steering Arms, LETSLA, SSC Shift Cable & Toe Link, Okada Plasma Ignition, Gotham ECU, 440 RC injectors, Ertalon Bushes

04-23-2009, 09:02 PM	#15 (permalink)
91MR2 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Where piracy runs rampant... Posts: 402	I can vouch for this guy... __________________ 2004 Volvo S60 R 1995 Lotus Esprit S4 1991 Toyota MR2 www.91MR2.multiply.com

04-24-2009, 06:17 AM	#17 (permalink)
BealeAss Dark As Knight Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Boston,MA Posts: 239	Looks awesome, I'd dig one for my 05 Elise. __________________ 05 Starlight Black on Black-Vader Package:Sport/Touring/Black LSS/Black Diffusor/Hardtop/Starshield/Extra Starshield/Leather Console/Tint/HID/Yellow Hi Beams/Micromirror/Carpet Buttons/Stan Shifter Mod/Trunk Bootie/Larini SE/Euro Grill/Fujita Intake/Azenis/ipod mod/4 JL Audio VR525-CXi/Starlight Black A/C Surround/Kemmler Seat Mod/Hardwired V1/Schroth Profi ii ASM/V-FORCE Harness Bar/S111 Harness Hardware/CRDMount/TitanQR/HNT Pad "Stuff sold by the gram is more fun than stuff sold by the pound"

04-24-2009, 11:23 AM	#19 (permalink)
pkhot915 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 78	me too pkhot915@yahoo.com

04-24-2009, 11:26 AM	#20 (permalink)
newman POSITIVE! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 1,005	I actually think i will have about 13 available by the beginning of next week. I just received 13 backing panels with standoffs in the mail and am waiting on shipment of the rest of the parts. __________________ 2008 Aspen White Exige S240: CF splitter\|CF wing\|CF diffuser\|CF side scoops\|CF mirrors\|Arquay Titanium\|Von-hep delete\|Saikou Michi catch can\|Cup car airbox\|6000K HIDs\|Custom short shift\|Stan+sector111+ctn shifter mods\|vinyl wrapped floorboards\|Flat black AC surround & center gusset\|Tow hooks\|Bootie\|Led park & plate lights\|Smoked front sidemarkers\|DRL delete\|Hella Supertones\|JVC KDAVX44 head unit\|Boyo 420t back up cam. PICS E30GTR Build... too slow... http://www.onyxsyndicate.com/newman

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode