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Date:         Mon, 2 Nov 2015 16:58:01 -0500
Reply-To:     Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Felder Industries dash foil workaround--one solution to fix
              iffy instrument lights
Comments: To: Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <CAFnDXk0MTOC95QbvJ9qvrHL7LD=6bMmVNkh71QE-rYGMP-xOEA@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

I got a set at the dealer a few months ago. The wire connectors are standard quick slides, small!

Dennis

-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Jim Felder Sent: Monday, November 2, 2015 6:54 AM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Re: Felder Industries dash foil workaround--one solution to fix iffy instrument lights

Nice. Where does one find one of these sockets and mating connector, at the dealer?

Thanks, Jim

On Sun, Nov 1, 2015 at 7:54 PM Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:

> Socket # 437919039 will twist in and allow standard wedge style bulbs

> and slide on wire connectors . This socket is also used on the > automatics to illuminate the shift console. > > Dennis > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On > Behalf Of Jim Felder > Sent: Sunday, November 1, 2015 10:37 AM > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM > Subject: Felder Industries dash foil workaround--one solution to fix > iffy instrument lights > > Yesterday I had the time to make a long-needed foil swap in my 83 > diesel instrument cluster. I had to solder a small piece of braided > copper to jumper a bad spot on the new foil, no problems there. > > I inspected the donor foil and it looked good. When I installed it, > everything worked except the instrument lights. Sick and tired of > having some light or another out, I tested and found that none of the > three instrument cluster lights were getting an juice. > > I went to a parts store and bought three of the smallest bulbs I could

> find that I could actually see and get to the terminal wires by > unfolding them off the back. The bulb was a number 24. I also got a > set of alligator clips to cannibalize for wire as guess what, the red > and black wired clips were cheaper and smaller in diameter than any > other wire they had. I got an automotive connector as well. Any old > kind will do. LED bulbs would have been better but they didn't have them, that will be a future upgrade. > > I started with the harness for the bulbs. After soldering red and > black wires to each, I went to the instrument panel and inserted each > into its respective hole to make sure all were long enough but not too

> long. I picked a spot and cut the bundle where I would solder the > harness wires to the three lights to the power source. For > convenience, I just used a spare spade terminal I left for future > gauges when I installed my EGT and boost gauge. It isn't on the dimmer

> circuit, but next time I actually pull the cluster I will probably change it over. > > The most difficult part was figuring out a way to fasten the bulbs in > their place without the twist-in socket. I got an inspiration from my > soldering iron which has a cork handle. I cut strips out of 1/8 inch > cork gasket and put a hole in the center of each piece (you see how > large and where the holes go when you take the small fixtures out) > that fit the bulbs snugly. I made the holes with a harbor freight > leather punch. I added two holes in the cork to push down over the > plastic pins that position the foil on the fixtures. So, the cork > strips push down over the pins and the lights push into the holes in > the center of both outers ones, holding everything in place. I simply > glued the middle on over the idiot light indicators with a few drops > of superglue. If I ever get this foil working, or get a working foil, I can simply pull this stuff off and go back to the original setup. > No damage was done nor modifications made. > > I chose cork because automotive gasket material is meant to resist > high temperatures and I did not know how hot the bulbs get. I still > don't know that and will have to keep an eye on this over the nest few

> days as I would hate to be on the road and smell plastic melting. I > don't think that will happen, but I am prepared to either reduce the > current to these or go to cooler bulbs. > > They look good and are really bright. > > Jim >


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