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Date:         Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:46:36 -0500
Reply-To:     David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: Dash foil
Comments: To: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <4B2142B4.2040001@charter.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

At 01:49 PM 12/10/2009, John Rodgers wrote: >My question is - "Has anyone ever hardwired the instrument pod in lieu >of the dash foil?"

Since I'm a pedantic sonofagun I'll point out that the foil is the actual copper in between the two layers of polyester in the instrument panel flexible circuit. :)

It would be a stinker to wire up a complete one. Much easier to use an existing one as a template for a flexible-circuit maker like various of these: <http://www.google.com/search?q=flexible+circuits>. The connectors could be an issue but I very much doubt it would be insurmountable.

In addition, they're quite repairable by someone used to working with them, either by soldering or by using a pen such as this: <http://parts.digikey.com/1/parts/956981-conductive-pen-flex-circuit-3oz-cw2900.html>.

Perhaps it's the nomenclature error that has made them seem mysterious? If you google foils you won't get much help with flex-circuits....

>In time that dash foil is going to become a van killer if we don't find >a replacement. I've got three vans - and sooner or later that foil will >become an issue.

This is where I get confused, because this should be one of the most durable parts of the van. I don't understand why people are having troubles with that flex-circuit unless they're abusing it in some way. It's strong, it's made of polyester (MylarTM) which is very durable, and it sits well supported in a nice protected place doing nothing, so what can happen to it? The weak point is the LED connectors and such that are crimped through the copper, but people don't seem to be having trouble with them, so how are they getting torn up? Another weak point could be the adhesive between the layers, I suppose. Seriously, what happens to these things? The four or five that I've handled myself have all been in perfect condition, as I would expect them to be.

Yours, David


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