Converting 197 dials

[MikeDX]

I bought a set of 197 dials today cheaply, (and another set on the way). Looking to convert them to include the change gear 'beep' that the 200 dials have.

In addition to this, to change the leds on board (some awful surface mount thing) and get a new clock face printed on acetate sheet, potentially doing a full 200 conversion!

Also have a project involving a very saggy glovebox. inky:


Watch this space...

 

[930Tech]

Sounds good, do you think it's just a case of fitting a beeper/buzzer to the light for the gear change indicator?

 

[MikeDX]

I don't think it even needs that, as there is already a beep for something else as far as I can tell (maybe seat belt warning?)

Looking forward to having a proper play over the next couple of nights to see whats what now that I can pull them apart without worrying I have took too much to pieces!

 

[MikeLYR27]

Mike your a tech wizard lol!!

 

[MikeDX]

Mike your a tech wizard lol!!

I'll do you mates rates on the first conversion then :thumbup:

 

[MikeLYR27]

Good man

 

[Jason S]

Those smd are really tiny and tough nut to crack unless you have some specialised gear...i bought a spare set and will be sending them away instead.

 

[MikeDX]

You arent wrong there. Thanks for the pics!

Luckily i have some smd experience from modding consoles / controllers.

how did you take the needles off? Do they just pull off or do you need to completely dissassemble the motors behind them

 

[deadmau5]

I was thinking about a yellow or white background for the rev counter last weekend. If the needles just pull off, it would be pretty easy to make a sticker for it.

 

[Jonesy]

I'll do you mates rates on the first conversion then :thumbup:

excues me????

 

[MikeDX]

It isn't just a sticker sadly, the whole thing is a semi transparent / translucent plastic and solid in other places to allow the light through for the leds in the correct places.

 

[MikeDX]

excues me????

First conversion(s) :group:

 

[Jason S]

mike, slight twist anticlockwise to break the glue and they just pull off, be brave lol. i suspected you did not have them off as you did not reply to the other thread as you need to have the needles off before taking the complete dash to bits. It all comes off easily once needles are off.

I have the whole dash down stripped to non soldered compoments now and can send you any pics that might help.

 

[Jason S]

Yeah as mike said dials are translucent, but easily colour coded as the paint on the base of the needle comes off and can be replaced with other colours (just get the right paint and apply enough of it) I did it to a couple of other cars I had before. Can post dials pic if you want or pics of mine when I finish with it (Blue).

The dial facia's can be changed and found a company in germany but they would do a run of 50. :-( if you cange the SMD's to different colours, you would have a nice change without losing the OEM quality as most of the dial facias are quite fisher price quality and the decent other ones novelty would wear off.

One thing I am doing to mine is changing the orange lighting message on the climate/dials/center of dash to blue if I can get the material.

 

[macrae99]

how did you take the needles off? Do they just pull off or do you need to completely dissassemble the motors behind them

If its the same as the 172 then you'll need something to lever them off with, I found a fork with a bit of paper under it so it didn't scratch it was quite good!

 

[MikeDX]

mike, slight twist anticlockwise to break the glue and they just pull off, be brave lol. i suspected you did not have them off as you did not reply to the other thread as you need to have the needles off before taking the complete dash to bits. It all comes off easily once needles are off.

I have the whole dash down stripped to non soldered compoments now and can send you any pics that might help.

Cheers Jason! Will give that a go tonight.

I'm going to have a crack and removing a couple of smds tonight

If its the same as the 172 then you'll need something to lever them off with, I found a fork with a bit of paper under it so it didn't scratch it was quite good!

Top tip! Cheers.

 

[Jason S]

not tried the fork trick, i gave up and whilst having desert thought tea spoon which worked a trick as there is a ridge underneath and curve of the spoon worked perfect without marking dial face.

give a small nudge anticlockwise before to break the factory seal/glue.

PS what do you think!! of the blue dial pics.

I'm going to keep the red needles as they cast a nice light and shift light going to be super bright red SMD

Like the idea of a buzzer but think linking up the signal from the light and feeding to the buzzer signal is a ball ache and I wont hear it with the music on lol.

 

[MikeDX]

PS what do you think!! of the blue dial pics.

I think that looks awesome! When did you do that? Or is that a mock up? how did you get on with the smd leds and do you know the correct type?

I'm definitely going to go for blue all round inside on mine now I've seen that! :thumbup:

Like the idea of a buzzer but think linking up the signal from the light and feeding to the buzzer signal is a ball ache and I wont hear it with the music on lol.

Did you see a speaker on the dials? I'm sure it has one for the seatbelt warning

 

[Jason S]

no mock up. problem is blue dials spoil the red where the dial are red (7.5k - 8k) can't keep original as they bleach the blue and vice versa.. i'm looking at modding the dial facia at the back and see....will have to be tomorrow or day after.

Buzer is the little black round thing you see on the board pic. Problem will be how you isolate the signal as you do not want it feeding back to the ECU (assuming this where the signal comes from for no seatbelts/handbrake on). Knowing bloody renault, it could cause some other issue.

Going to have the silver dial surround in glossy carbon fibre and dash background in piano black.

will post pics

 

[MikeDX]

no mock up. problem is blue dials spoil the red where the dial are red (7.5k - 8k) can't keep original as they bleach the blue and vice versa.. i'm looking at modding the dial facia at the back and see....will have to be tomorrow or day after.

Is the LED behind the red line area sufficient to have a different coloured led behind it??

Buzer is the little black round thing you see on the board pic. Problem will be how you isolate the signal as you do not want it feeding back to the ECU (assuming this where the signal comes from for no seatbelts/handbrake on). Knowing bloody renault, it could cause some other issue.

That doesnt bother me. bit of track cutting, couple diodes

Going to have the silver dial surround in glossy carbon fibre and dash background in piano black.

will post pics

Will look awesome mate seriously.

Are the smd leds 0603?

Let me know how you get on...

Also how much was that quote from that german company for a run of 50?