For Those Bored With the Look of the Dash Gauges - Page 4 - LotusTalk

darkSol · 03-12-2007, 09:08 PM

Oh... I almost forgot. The LCD is a custom EDT unit - with a custom character set, most notably the use of characters as vertical bars for fuel level.

So even if we were to replace it with another unit the fuel scale would probably look like ^##{^ instead of [[[[[[ (you get the idea), since the custom character set was not OEM ROM programmed at the factory.

Keeper · 03-13-2007, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkSol

To have the pure white/blue light to show through you need to either use LED front illumination or . . .

For reference, is this what you mean? http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/show...5&postcount=31

scottyb · 03-13-2007, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkSol

...To have the pure white/blue light to show through you need to either use LED front illumination or create a custom overlay (as posted earlier in this thread). I'm going to do a 1200dpi hires scan of the overlay/EL tomorrow morning before continuing on this project... stay tuned!...

Or you can take the overlay to any dental office and have them make a copy of it on X-Ray film. It's quite easy and you will get an exact 1 to 1 scaling of the original without the amber background.

darkSol · 03-13-2007, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottyb

Or you can take the overlay to any dental office and have them make a copy of it on X-Ray film. It's quite easy and you will get an exact 1 to 1 scaling of the original without the amber background.

Scotty, I've done this a bunch of times before onto transparencies at Kinkos - it's the same process and probably cheaper... unless you're already a dentist

scottyb · 03-13-2007, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkSol

Scotty, I've done this a bunch of times before onto transparencies at Kinkos - it's the same process and probably cheaper... unless you're already a dentist

The reason I mentioned Film is because you can get a slight blueish tint from the paper and it is much thicker than the transparency and you can get a negative image as well if you want. Send me one of your transparencies and I'll be happy to do it for you.

darkSol · 03-13-2007, 08:33 AM

Scotty, I really like that there's a slight blue tint and that it's thicker that a regular 60mil transparency. What's the finish like (matte/glossy)?

And what about contrast? I've always had problems with blacks not being consistent or black enough - I've had to double up on transparencies in gague clusters before.

I've been trying to find a matte transparency film but to no avail. I guess I could alway spray the front of it with a matte finishing spray from Michaels or some scrapbook store. I'll probably spray THIS on the backside so the pinkish EL panel won't be so noticeable when it's off: http://www.rustoleum.com/product.asp...t_id=595&SBL=5 It should diffuse the light without discoloring it.

Anyway, I'll have a hires scan of the overlay panel tonight. If I sent you the scan as a 600dpi .BMP (or placed inside a Word doc) in zip format could you print it onto a laser printer and make a couple film copy / negatives? Can you work with a 1:1 crisp B/W laser paper print? I'd just be concerned about the blacks bleeding through if I just sent you a transparency to work off of.

Just let me know!

scottyb · 03-13-2007, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkSol

Scotty, I really like that there's a slight blue tint and that it's thicker that a regular 60mil transparency. What's the finish like (matte/glossy)?

And what about contrast? I've always had problems with blacks not being consistent or black enough - I've had to double up on transparencies in gague clusters before.

I've been trying to find a matte transparency film but to no avail. I guess I could alway spray the front of it with a matte finishing spray from Michaels or some scrapbook store. I'll probably spray THIS on the backside so the pinkish EL panel won't be so noticeable when it's off: http://www.rustoleum.com/product.asp...t_id=595&SBL=5 It should diffuse the light without discoloring it.

Anyway, I'll have a hires scan of the overlay panel tonight. If I sent you the scan as a 600dpi .BMP (or placed inside a Word doc) in zip format could you print it onto a laser printer and make a couple film copy / negatives? Can you work with a 1:1 crisp B/W laser paper print? I'd just be concerned about the blacks bleeding through if I just sent you a transparency to work off of.

Just let me know!

It's a gloss finish. I would need probably the original or a good transparency copy. Working off of anything else would just introduce error, bleeding, and poor quality.

darkSol · 03-14-2007, 07:38 AM

I scanned the stock gauge cluster bits last night. Haven't had a chance to play with it at all - it's going to be a long term project methinks...

I outlined the stock EL panel with a black sharpie onto the new panel, carefully cut it out with scissors and connected her up. I still need to hole punch the 3 holes, but you can see the new EL panel peeking through until then.

I absolutely love the consistency and even color saturation with the new panel. Old on top, new on bottom. It's a wee bit lighter too!

Oh, I'm also going to fix the ugly see-through rectangle behind the shift light. It's just a decal that's literally taped to the back. I'll X-acto off the corners so it will be rounder.

Enjoy!

darkSol · 05-25-2007, 07:52 AM

Oops I forgot to post...

Much brighter/cleaner color!

Here's a camera phone picture (better pix soon):

loanshark · 09-19-2007, 07:20 PM

Any better pics David?

Dooly · 09-20-2007, 02:35 PM

If anyone want to give me a scanned image of the stock gauge face, then I can make any design as you like.....

Also if anyone can let me borrow the gauge cluster(it will be returned) I can come up with some different LED lighting..

Check out my products at LEDmod.com

Dooly · 09-20-2007, 02:36 PM

You can checkout some samples here...

http://store.ledmod.com/index.php?ma...products_id=40

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=seanyiya

charliex · 09-20-2007, 02:39 PM

Dooly, i live in las vegas (southern highlands), and i have a cluster in little bits (in fact the cluster from the thread starter!)

Dooly · 09-20-2007, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charliex

Dooly, i live in las vegas (southern highlands), and i have a cluster in little bits (in fact the cluster from the thread starter!)

Can you PM me your phone number??
So that we can arrange a meet and discuss over custom gauge face and LED lighting...

I live on Moutains Edge, so you live close by me......
Thanks

charliex · 09-20-2007, 02:42 PM

yeah i just saw that, you're like 5 mins away, i'm just about to head out to the starbucks at cactus and southern highlands blvd!

( i dropped you an email with my number)

edit: doh, sorry i checked the link at SB and so no reply so i head back home

intofx · 09-20-2007, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dooly

You can checkout some samples here...

http://store.ledmod.com/index.php?ma...products_id=40

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=seanyiya

Great looking stuff. Keep us updated.

Matt

LARRY · 09-20-2007, 03:54 PM

I like the gauges/dashboard in the Spyker....

charliex · 09-20-2007, 03:58 PM

I'm going to try and swing by the scion meet to see some of his work tonite.

Canyon Red Elise · 09-20-2007, 04:42 PM

I would be interested in something like this keep us posted.

Boondock Saint · 09-20-2007, 09:11 PM

I would be interested as well.

03-12-2007, 09:08 PM	#61 (permalink)
darkSol Meow!! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Leawood, KS Posts: 2,576	Oh... I almost forgot. The LCD is a custom EDT unit - with a custom character set, most notably the use of characters as vertical bars for fuel level. So even if we were to replace it with another unit the fuel scale would probably look like ^##{^ instead of [[[[[[ (you get the idea), since the custom character set was not OEM ROM programmed at the factory. __________________ 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.

03-13-2007, 08:33 AM	#66 (permalink)
darkSol Meow!! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Leawood, KS Posts: 2,576	Scotty, I really like that there's a slight blue tint and that it's thicker that a regular 60mil transparency. What's the finish like (matte/glossy)? And what about contrast? I've always had problems with blacks not being consistent or black enough - I've had to double up on transparencies in gague clusters before. I've been trying to find a matte transparency film but to no avail. I guess I could alway spray the front of it with a matte finishing spray from Michaels or some scrapbook store. I'll probably spray THIS on the backside so the pinkish EL panel won't be so noticeable when it's off: http://www.rustoleum.com/product.asp...t_id=595&SBL=5 It should diffuse the light without discoloring it. Anyway, I'll have a hires scan of the overlay panel tonight. If I sent you the scan as a 600dpi .BMP (or placed inside a Word doc) in zip format could you print it onto a laser printer and make a couple film copy / negatives? Can you work with a 1:1 crisp B/W laser paper print? I'd just be concerned about the blacks bleeding through if I just sent you a transparency to work off of. Just let me know! __________________ 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.

03-14-2007, 07:38 AM	#68 (permalink)
darkSol Meow!! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Leawood, KS Posts: 2,576	Update! I scanned the stock gauge cluster bits last night. Haven't had a chance to play with it at all - it's going to be a long term project methinks... I outlined the stock EL panel with a black sharpie onto the new panel, carefully cut it out with scissors and connected her up. I still need to hole punch the 3 holes, but you can see the new EL panel peeking through until then. I absolutely love the consistency and even color saturation with the new panel. Old on top, new on bottom. It's a wee bit lighter too! Oh, I'm also going to fix the ugly see-through rectangle behind the shift light. It's just a decal that's literally taped to the back. I'll X-acto off the corners so it will be rounder. Enjoy! Attached Images __________________ 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. Last edited by darkSol : 03-14-2007 at 07:43 AM.

05-25-2007, 07:52 AM	#69 (permalink)
darkSol Meow!! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Leawood, KS Posts: 2,576	Oops I forgot to post... Much brighter/cleaner color! Here's a camera phone picture (better pix soon): Attached Images __________________ 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.

09-20-2007, 02:39 PM	#73 (permalink)
charliex OSX Black hat Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Las Vegas , NV Posts: 9,935	Dooly, i live in las vegas (southern highlands), and i have a cluster in little bits (in fact the cluster from the thread starter!) __________________ Black Exige S - http://goth.am 265 Mule / Elan M100.ECU Tuning, http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39660 West Coast Lotus Meet - Las Vegas - November 6-9 2009 http://www.westcoastlotus.com/

09-19-2007, 07:20 PM	#70 (permalink)
loanshark BANNED Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,227 Images: 41	Any better pics David?

09-20-2007, 02:35 PM	#71 (permalink)
Dooly Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 13	If anyone want to give me a scanned image of the stock gauge face, then I can make any design as you like..... Also if anyone can let me borrow the gauge cluster(it will be returned) I can come up with some different LED lighting.. Check out my products at LEDmod.com

09-20-2007, 02:36 PM	#72 (permalink)
Dooly Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 13	You can checkout some samples here... http://store.ledmod.com/index.php?ma...products_id=40 http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=seanyiya

09-20-2007, 02:42 PM	#75 (permalink)
charliex OSX Black hat Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Las Vegas , NV Posts: 9,935	yeah i just saw that, you're like 5 mins away, i'm just about to head out to the starbucks at cactus and southern highlands blvd! ( i dropped you an email with my number) edit: doh, sorry i checked the link at SB and so no reply so i head back home __________________ Black Exige S - http://goth.am 265 Mule / Elan M100.ECU Tuning, http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39660 West Coast Lotus Meet - Las Vegas - November 6-9 2009 http://www.westcoastlotus.com/ Last edited by charliex : 09-20-2007 at 03:33 PM.

09-20-2007, 03:54 PM	#77 (permalink)
LARRY It's a Lotus Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Beverly Hills, Ca. Posts: 17,150	I like the gauges/dashboard in the Spyker.... Attached Images __________________ 2005 Saffron Yellow Elise. Stage II Exhaust. 2007 ProBax seats. "We know they're magical and worth every minute we spend on them. The whole Lotus owners' world is like a secret handshake among people who understand that." (R&T)

09-20-2007, 03:58 PM	#78 (permalink)
charliex OSX Black hat Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Las Vegas , NV Posts: 9,935	I'm going to try and swing by the scion meet to see some of his work tonite. __________________ Black Exige S - http://goth.am 265 Mule / Elan M100.ECU Tuning, http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39660 West Coast Lotus Meet - Las Vegas - November 6-9 2009 http://www.westcoastlotus.com/

09-20-2007, 04:42 PM	#79 (permalink)
Canyon Red Elise Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 524	I would be interested in something like this keep us posted.

09-20-2007, 09:11 PM	#80 (permalink)
Boondock Saint Crotch rocket addict Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Burbank, CA Posts: 708	I would be interested as well. __________________ Youth is not entirely a time of life; it is a state of mind. Nobody grows old by merely living a number of years. People grow old by deserting their ideals.You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt; as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear; as young as your hope, as old as your despair. - Douglas MacArthur

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