LCD Dash......Can It Be Done??

[Ewan Marshall - Frans Maas Linlithgow <Ewan.Marshall@UK.Sun.COM>]

Could a LCD monitor replace the job of all the analog dials in Mk2
European Rocco?? (1989 Scala 1.8 KJET Inj......to be a little more
precise!!)After having a look at the Electrical wiring diagram
last night,a monitor could be used,powered by a processor capable
of taking the work.Most of the messages sent from the engine to dash 
are in the good ole analog messages,but adding a AC/DC converter,
would let the processor process the information.Obviously, the 
processor would have to be programed,which,so I'm told would be very
easy indeed,even putting in extras like custimising your dash every
time you get in the car!!! More information about the cars performance
could be given aswell,in numerical and/or analog type by simply adding
a sensor in the area to be monitored.Coolant temp gauges in more than 
one part of the cooling system,air temp,road temps and even the car stereo
could be linked into it.
To me,the dials in VW's are quite distinct,I suppose like a trade mark,
(you would know by seeing the dials alone that is was a VW) but I feel 
thats its time cars caught up with technology and join the digital
revolution,opening opportunities for an already superb piece
of engineering, with the added great benefits in digital technology.
(well....aye....eh perhaps getting a little bit excited there!! :)  )
Anyway,does anyone on the list have comments,opinions or ideas about this??? 
I think it could be done relatively easy,probably the hardest part being 
fitting the LCD itself.Would it need the whole dash converting,or will
the LCD fit in the original gap where the old analog dials once proudly
sat??

Cheers,

	Ewen
	
	              Ewen Marshall
	             '89 (Digi)Scala
		     '82 Mk1 Golf GTi
		   Renault Clio RT 1.9D


From: brett@kodak.com (Brett VanSprewenburg)
	To: elias@tesla.wustl.edu
	Subject: Re: Dashlights: change from green to amber? - easy!
	Cc: scirocco-L@scirocco.org
	Mime-Version: 1.0
	
	
	Here's how you do it (I bring a bit of experience in this area :) )
	
	> 
	> On Fri, 16 Oct 1998, the mad bastard wrote:
	> 
	> > i'll have to disagree with you on this one ilias.  i currently have
	> > about 50 bulbs right now from various VW instrument clusters.  (i 
plan
	> > to do a dash of all yellow and another of all blue lights).  
	> 
	> But I still insist! :-)
	> 
	> Tell me how you will get rid of the greenish "window" that the light 
from 
	> the bulbs has to go through. The only way I can think of is if one 
breaks 
	> that greenish "window" region, and leaves it empty, and then paints 
the 
	> bulbs whatever color he chooses.
	> 
	> But "super easy" it is not.
	> 
	> Ilias
	
	There are at least 3 bulbs at the back of the typical scirocco cluster, 
2
	at the top of the housing and one in the middle.  The 2 at the top are
	inside a white plastic light housing, and it's plastic is spot melted to
	the main housing in about 10 places. It breaks away fairly easily.  
Inside
	you'll find a green tinted light diffuser strip.  In order for me to 
have
	my gauges lit with yellow light I used some non-diffusing yellow film, 
and
	used a 'clear' diffuser strip cut from art supply house 'blank' stencil
	material.  I put them in the light housing together and it works great. 
There's
	a better way to make the diffusing film.  Many stereo shops or 
lighting/audio
	places sell a spot light coloring film that'll work very well.  Oh, as
	for the middle light...it's for the clock.  I changed mine, but if you
	value a working clock/mfa, take my advice and LEAVE IT ALONE.  There's a 
75%
	chance you will end up with a broken lcd display.  Of the 4 I've done, 
only
	1 was successful (all on spare clusters that I have).  Just stick with
	green for the clock coloring...
	
	==Brett
	
	  
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