Thoughts: Gauge cluster mods?

[CoyoteStarfish]

Hey guys, I've got an idea that I'm cooking up and would like some advice.

I'm thinking about modding my gauge cluster to give it a more "modern" feel with with back-lighting.

My idea: using a diffusers or diffusers from an old LCD monitor to spread light evenly across the face of the cluster without the need to modify anything behind the face, backlight the diffuser (from the sides) with PWM LEDs (for dimming) then add a translucent white sheet to even out the main light color and more evenly distribute it, THEN if desired colored "zones" could be added using theatrical "gels" (sheets of colored, transparent film used for theater lighting) to color zones like RPM redline, Cold/hot water temp, target speeds or RPM for maximum economy, etc. Top it all off with a laser-cut sheet of either vinyl/aluminum with cutouts for the lettering on the gauge faces.

So..
Diffuser > white gel (background)>color gels (zones)>laser cut dial faces.

The end result (hopefully) would be similar to this:


This is VERY very early in the planning stage, just looking for some input and if anyone else is interested in working on something like this. I'm not sure how to do the "economy" gauge on some of the gassers, but who really uses that anyway? (other than the boost-gauge mod)
All seems feasible, just wish I could think of a way to light up some custom needles. (like above)

Any other cluster mods or ideas?

[Shawn D.]

I'm thinking the light won't be evenly distributed and the graphics will end up fuzzy.

I'm not sure how to do the "economy" gauge on some of the gassers, but who really uses that anyway?

I use it all the time. It's a great load indicator to tell when upshifting would be a good idea, and I use it to set a more-constant deceleration.

[CoyoteStarfish]

Thats why I would use the LCD diffuser. They're designed to be slim and evenly light a wide area even though it is only being lit from one location.

For those who may not know how they work:

Most diffusers are a sheet of clear acrylic that decreases in thickness on one face with a light source at the thickest part, as light travels through the acrylic sheet it is refracted by ribs milled into the ramped surface. I'm not entirely sure but I believe they are refracted in a 360 degree pattern, as most displays of this type have a mirror behind them. I made up a quick drawing in MS Paint to attempt to illustrate this:

I used a green "light source" for illustration purposes. But my thought is to cut an existing diffuser to the shape of the cluster and fitting LEDs to the thickest part of the diffuser sheet to light the entire cluster face.

I'm not saying this will work perfectly or at all, but I've got a good feeling that this is how they do it in newer cars where the dials almost have an LCD-like quality to them. Won't know until I try I guess.

[CoyoteStarfish]

Oops, I seem to have my terminology off just a bit. What I was referring to as a diffuser is actually called a "light guide" or light guide plate. Same idea for construction, however.

[CoyoteStarfish]

http://www.speedofix.com/light_conversion.htm

I guess I'm not the only one who thought of this..

[WilNJ]

http://www.speedofix.com/light_conversion.htm

I guess I'm not the only one who thought of this..

Pretty cool but they don't offer it for the older models (Pre-E32).

They do however have a mobile service, that would be a cool addition to a get together or 5er fest.

[CoyoteStarfish]

Yeah no E28 love from that company but the idea is solid. I think I'm going to give it a try, maybe I'll rip a cluster from an E30 (can't find any E28s in the junkyard here!) and see if I can mod it. If all goes well I'll give my E28 a try. Unless someone wants to volunteer a donor cluster. Broken or otherwise. Then who knows, I might offer them for sale here on the board if there is enough interest.

All I really need now is someone with a plotter/vinyl sign cutter and to learn how to draw vector images.

[WilNJ]

I have sent them a couple of e-mails.

RE: Old Models

Is there any thought to offering your service for older models such as the
E30, E28, E24 or E23?

Sorry, no.

Thanks,
Andrei

SpeedoFix - Digital Odometers World
Toronto, Canada
+1-416-728-5205
Skype - speedofix
www.speedofix.com

Andrei -

Thanks for the reply. Is that driven by a lack of demand or due to technological limitations?

EDIT:

First of all it is lack of demand, and as a result we have no parts available to support quality repair.

[abdoosh00]

Yeah no E28 love from that company but the idea is solid. I think I'm going to give it a try, maybe I'll rip a cluster from an E30 (can't find any E28s in the junkyard here!) and see if I can mod it. If all goes well I'll give my E28 a try. Unless someone wants to volunteer a donor cluster. Broken or otherwise. Then who knows, I might offer them for sale here on the board if there is enough interest.

All I really need now is someone with a plotter/vinyl sign cutter and to learn how to draw vector images.

What LCD, driver and processor are you using? are you creating this from scratch?

[WilNJ]

Follow up from SpeedoFix above.

[CoyoteStarfish]

Yeah no E28 love from that company but the idea is solid. I think I'm going to give it a try, maybe I'll rip a cluster from an E30 (can't find any E28s in the junkyard here!) and see if I can mod it. If all goes well I'll give my E28 a try. Unless someone wants to volunteer a donor cluster. Broken or otherwise. Then who knows, I might offer them for sale here on the board if there is enough interest.

All I really need now is someone with a plotter/vinyl sign cutter and to learn how to draw vector images.

What LCD, driver and processor are you using? are you creating this from scratch?

Yeah completely from scratch... right now I just have a light-guide from an old NEC laptop I'm playing around with. I want to use RGB-LEDs for the actual light source so it can be color tuned to the drivers tastes. Eventually I might end up making custom light guides using CNC machining if I can find someone with a CNC that doesn't want my entire wallet

There will definitely be some fine tuning involved, I'll update this thread as I make progress.

[Das_Prachtstrasse]

Interested to see how this plays out. I have a feeling it's going to require a lot more fabrication, and cost, than you anticipate. Nevertheless, i'd like to see it happen!

[528elover]

I talked to the Sergei from Speedofix and he has agree to do a preliminary "investigation" on an E28 cluster and make an estimate. However, he needs a speedo cluster from an E28.

Can anyone volunteer a cluster? If so, please PM me and send it to me via mail. I will forward it on to him to build us a platform. This is great news as these clusters are pretty nice, look modern, have great lighting, and are just plain "rad."

Thanks!

[CoyoteStarfish]

Oh I'm sure it will be over budget, frustrating and take a while to complete...


Oh wait, thats how working on ANY E28 is

[528elover]

Oh I'm sure it will be over budget, frustrating and take a while to complete...


Oh wait, thats how working on ANY E28 is

I talked to Andrei from Speedofix today and he has agree to do a preliminary "investigation" on an E28 cluster and make an estimate. However, he needs a speedo cluster from an E28.

He also mentioned that the instrument cluster needs to be fully functional and operating. He will return it and it will not be destroyed. I can't guarantee that he won't destroy it, however.

Can anyone volunteer a cluster? If so, please PM me and send it to me via mail. I will forward it on to him to build us a platform. This is great news as these clusters are pretty nice, look modern, have great lighting, and are just plain "rad."

Thanks!

[Blackey1693]

You seem to know a pritty good amout about what your talking about (always a good sign). I thought about what you said and originally thought "why wouldn't he just change the skin over the cluster, i know they sell different ones online" then I read it over and understand what your trying to do. If you figure out a good way to do that please post it. I'm working on modifying a buddies e30 dash because he wants to put in a mk2 gti gauge cluster (for some unknown reason). He also wants to do some sort of cross over between digital and standard gauges. Keep me posted on any progress please