Updating the Dash Warning Lights

There are two warning lights wired into the Webcon loom: one for the RPM warning (shift light) and another for the ECU (warns of Throttle Position Sensor error or coolant overheat).  I'd always wanted to put these on the dash where I could see them.  Only problem is both are just plain red lights, and I didn't want to stick labels on the dash.  In the end I came up with a solution: 3mm Letraset and spray enamel.

The best method seemed to be to apply the letters to the warning light and then to add one quite thick coat of enamel.  Just enough so that it did not drip.  I tried two coats on another light and the second coat melted the first and it looked a mess.  Also I found that the Letraset had to be rubbed very well onto the light or the enamel would lift the areas of Letraset not properly in contact with the warning light surface.

Here is the end result, all four key warning lights right in my field of vision, or peripheral vision if I am looking at the road.

The dash doesn't look this scratched in real life.  Its the camera flash that seems to be very unflattering.

The alternator warning light was the original from Tiger.  I didn't have this fitted originally as I was planning to use the low voltage warning on the Acewell digital dash, but I hadn't realised that the alternator will not charge the battery unless the warning light is in the circuit.

The oil pressure light was added to replace the one on the Acewell.  I was not happy with the Acewell one as it was fairly small and partially hidden behind the indicator stalk.  I wanted this important warning light right where I could see it.  Only problem was they are only available in yellow.  Any production car has them in red, and so they should be as this is a warning as opposed to a caution.  My solution was to get a blank red warning light and add the word 'OIL' myself.

Dashboard

I am using the black GRP dashboard provided by Tiger.  Some people have fixed this on with screws, others with adhesive.  I wanted the clean looks (without screws), but without the permanence of adhesive.  I decided in the end to use regular clear silicon sealant.  My thinking is that it will hold the dashboard firmly, but can be removed later, if needed.  Perhaps by using a very thin long blade.  That technique may damage the dashboard, who knows.  Hopefully I won't need to find out.

I am mounting the digital dash (nearly) flush into the dashboard itself.  A template was cut for the hole required in the dashboard.

Hole cut in dashboard prior to sticking the dashboard to the body shell.

 Same size hole made in the body shell behind the dashboard.

A bracket to hold the digital dash at the right 'depth' was fabricated out of aluminium strip.  This was glued to the back of the dashboard using two healthy blobs of epoxy resin.  Seem to have held very well.

The dashboard had to be filed a bit to get the correct profile to match the scuttle.  I then took a few more millimetres off all round.  This allows a little space around the edge that I will glue some rubber trim on to for IVA.  I've tested a short length, made from the round part of P-trim, and it looks quite smart.

A second bracket was made to brace the lower part of the dashboard - to stop it flapping around.  Once the digital dashboard was mounted the switches were installed for the headlights, etc. Powered up and everything still worked!

Wiring Check Out

Now that the wiring is complete (standard Tiger loom, not Webcon Alpha loom) I decided to give it a little test.  It is much easier to fix errors now, before the body is on.  There were just a few gremlins to fix, like the relays in the wrong sockets and the low and high beam wires mixed up on the steering column switch.  Once corrected everything seems to be working correctly.

Here are the rear lights all switched on.  The camera on the phone has not coped too well though.

Once satisfied that the loom was all correctly wired in it was time to try the digital dash again.  Here all the 'tell tales' are illuminated.  Not something that you'd want to see while driving along!

There is just the reverse switch to wire into the digital dash.  The dash supports a reverse gear logo ('R') as well as 'calculated' gears.  To light the 'R' on the display requires a connection to ground.  However, the output of the reverse light switch on the gearbox is +12v, so I need to use a relay.

Once this reverse gear indicator is working I'll tidy up the Tiger loom and move on to the Webcon Alpha loom.

Digital Dash

New model Acewell 7659 digital dash bought from Rally Design.  Powered up just to check that it works.