Author Topic: Mocked up new Dash  (Read 347 times)

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Offline Bryan Boyle

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  • 1974 Europa JPS #142 3291R
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Mocked up new Dash
« on: Saturday,May 28, 2022, 04:53:14 AM »
Thought I'd mock up the radio-delete gauge panel on the new dash for 3291R.  (I have a bluetooth/line input amp for the door speakers that will get mounted in the front plenum...don't know anyone that listens to OTA radio...sad to say, since my degree was in communications and worked as a DJ and radio production engineer for the first 15 years of my career...:().  I know, delete the ammeter and replace with the voltmeter...but...want to keep the changes as simple as possible rather than hacking into the harness or changing the stock connections.  This additional panel only has 3: switched +12 (yeah, you have to reset the clock..big deal, since when I put her away, I pull the ground off the battery so even with constant current, clock would stop..and yes, I know about putting a 1/2A fuse in parallel with the ground to keep some trickle voltage there for radio memories etc.  No radio, no memories....:)), ground, and gauge lighting, all of which are accessible without major surgery on the harness.  KISS principle at work.

When I get to that stage, I'll either veneer the panel with something close to the burl, or just paint it a satin brown and be done with it. 
« Last Edit: Saturday,May 28, 2022, 04:57:12 AM by Bryan Boyle »
Bryan Boyle
Morrisville PA
Commercial Pilot/CFII/FAA Safety Team
Amateur Extra Class Operator & FCC Volunteer Examiner
Currently working on 3291R, ex 444R, 693R, 65/2163, 004R, 65/2678
http://www.lotuseuropa.us for mirror of lotus-europa.com manual site.

Offline jbcollier

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Re: Mocked up new Dash
« Reply #1 on: Saturday,May 28, 2022, 05:18:11 AM »
Vacuum gauges are of limited value in one carb barrel to one port set-up.  Outside temp gauges are useful if you drive in the shoulder season in northern climes.

Offline Bryan Boyle

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    • Lotus Europa Collection
Re: Mocked up new Dash
« Reply #2 on: Saturday,May 28, 2022, 05:38:42 AM »
Vacuum gauges are of limited value in one carb barrel to one port set-up.  Outside temp gauges are useful if you drive in the shoulder season in northern climes.

i don't see any smiths or lucas gauges for OAT.  Didn't say it had to be necessarily useful information...voltmeter in conjunction with the ammeter tells you a lot, clock tells you if you're on time...the vac gauge is there so there's not a blank hole...;)
« Last Edit: Saturday,May 28, 2022, 05:40:18 AM by Bryan Boyle »
Bryan Boyle
Morrisville PA
Commercial Pilot/CFII/FAA Safety Team
Amateur Extra Class Operator & FCC Volunteer Examiner
Currently working on 3291R, ex 444R, 693R, 65/2163, 004R, 65/2678
http://www.lotuseuropa.us for mirror of lotus-europa.com manual site.

Offline jbcollier

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Re: Mocked up new Dash
« Reply #3 on: Saturday,May 28, 2022, 05:48:03 AM »
The old ones were mechanical and prone to failure over time.  The new ones use an electric thermocouple.  Can't remember where I bought mine, probably Nisonger.  Smiths still list them:

https://www.smiths-instruments.co.uk/classic/auxiliary

And I found one for sale here:

https://www.scparts.co.uk/sc_en/ambient-air-temperature-gauge-641013.html


Offline Sandyman

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Re: Mocked up new Dash
« Reply #4 on: Saturday,May 28, 2022, 06:47:25 AM »
Brian, that dash looks great! I notice that in my S2  the gauges on the far right are hard to read .any though of angling them ?
Sandy

Offline TurboFource

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Re: Mocked up new Dash
« Reply #5 on: Saturday,May 28, 2022, 06:54:56 AM »
Bryan,
I still listen to the radio and CD’s …..the spot in my Europa is also filled with gauges…
Not sure I will put a stereo in either.
The more I do the more I find I need to do....remember your ABC’s …anything but chinesium!

Offline BDA

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Re: Mocked up new Dash
« Reply #6 on: Saturday,May 28, 2022, 08:19:05 AM »
You could put an always-live 12v connection on your clock.

IMHO, the changes for going from an ammeter to a volt meter are minimal compared to the other changes you’re making, not that I’m anti-ammeter. Just saying…

Your dash looks great!  :beerchug: