Starting on my dash

[slngsht]

I'm finally getting around to work on my dash.



The cawl and windshield were extremely easy to remove... only took 30 minutes.



Here are some pics of the mess back behind the dash:



http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/slngsht/dash1.jpg

http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/slngsht/dash2.jpg

http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/slngsht/dash3.jpg



I'll post up pics as I work my way through the project.

[solder_guy]

Wow! What a fascinating web! I see that you still have room for that stereo! <img border="0" src="smileys/smiley2.gif[/img]



Got any pics of what you are going to install?



Rob Mitchell, Atlanta, GA

[slngsht]

Not for long... Planning to move the computer there, to keep it away from heat.

[solder_guy]

Not for long... Planning to move the computer there, to keep it away from heat.



MP3 computer? <img border="0" src="smileys/smiley2.gif[/img]



Rob Mitchell, Atlanta, GA

[Arya Ebrahimi]

<P> Not for long... Planning to move the computer there, to keep it away from heat.

MP3 computer? http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/smiley2.gif

Rob Mitchell, Atlanta, GA
</P>
<P>I think he means the ECU, but I know he does have plans for a PC type computer as well.</P>
<P>Mazda, you should make an indentation in the dash so you can put your hand around the shifter in 1,3, and 5 gears http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/smiley4.gif&nbsp; Or reconfigure the shifter a bit. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/smiley2.gif</P>
<P>Are you gonna have the aluminum anodized or powdercoated or anything?&nbsp; I was thinking black anodized would look really cool w/ maybe a brushed texture.&nbsp; That might be $$ though, dunno.</P>
<P>Arya</P>

[slngsht]

I thought about curving the middle of the dash a little to give more shifter room, but I think I'll just bend the shifter back a little.



haven't decided on a finish yet. Flat black is nice because it'll reduce glare and make the screen easier to see. Plus it'll blend right in with the switch cluster I'm planning to put in.

[slngsht]

Couple of updated pics:



Everything removed:

http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/slngsht/dash4.jpg



Switches starting to take shape on mockup dash

http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/slngsht/dash5.jpg

[solder_guy]

Progress? Where did you get the cool vertical bank of switches?



Rob Mitchell

<edited><editID>solder_guy</editID><editDate>38812.6217013889</editDate></edited>

[slngsht]

I have to look up where I got the switches.



Latest progress is that all the wiring is hooked up for the moment, with the exception of the harzards and the wiper motor.



I have tried various orientations on the touchscreen, and it looks like when it's inclined, and in the dash, I can read it even with the sun directly behind me. This is not a particularly bright screen, so future units should look really good.



At the moment, I'm carving out some foam so I can lay out a fiberglass or carbon fiber dash, which has smooth edges around the monitor openning.



I'm also working on a little microcontroller project to clean up alot of the wiring by incorporating all the relays and fuses on one board, as well as incorporate a shift light, an RFID tag for theft prevention and a couple of other goodies.



Here's another shot (don't laugh). Shows the gauges in pretty much direct afternoon sunlight.



http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/slngsht/dash12.jpg

[solder_guy]

Looks good. BTW: What does RFID tag stand for?



Rob Mitchell

(I called Dennis this past week: No progress!)

[slngsht]

Radio Frequency Identification...



>This (http://www.parallax.com/images/prod_jpg/910-28142.jpg) image shows the part that goes on the car, plus 10 "tags" or keys.



Since my button starter setup doesn't have an ignition key, i need an anti-theft device. With the RFID tag, you just have the little round thing on the key chain, and you swipe it near the reader to be able to start the car.

[solder_guy]

I've thought about adding a car alarm with a keypad to activate, deactivate the car alarm and allow for ignition.



But I'll probably go with a fake car alarm flash, removable steering wheel, fuel pump switch and battery cut off switch.



Rob Mitchell, Atlanta, GA

[slngsht]

The aluminum version in rough cut...



http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/slngsht/dash13.jpg