New A/C Panel Design Prototype - Thoughts/Suggestions?

[DMC5180]

That's really sharp. How will you be backlighting this?

[kajcienski]

That's really sharp. How will you be backlighting this?

Thanks! If you look further back in the thread, you will see I molded and cast a custom light panel (like the original) made to fit the modified bracket.

On another note, I have pictures of the final install and am happy to say it passed a weekend of heat testing with flying colors. Will post pictures tomorrow.

[kajcienski]

Hello! Well, the updated HVAC panel project has come to a close! Both the graphic overlay and the light panel withstood the hot car with flying colors. I took a couple quick pictures the other day before I permanently affixed the decal and light panel to the bracket and wanted to share them with everyone below (NOTE: that is why there is some bleeding light in the photos because the panel and decal were still loose). Since these pictures were taken, I have customized the center knob to match the left and right one with only one white marking and have finished up securing the decal and light panel permanently. I was going to give you my step-by-step log but realized I posted most of the details already. I have made extra light panels so I might consider putting together a few mod kits if there is any interest. Unfortunately because of the materials and time, it will most likely not be cheap. However, I am putting it out there if anyone is interested...Thank you for all of your helpful comments along the way - it looks absolutely BEAUTIFUL in the car! If anyone would like additional photos or informations, let me know and will post those in this thread.

ALSO! Stay tuned for a new thread including the custom illuminated USB, iPhone, and "line in" panel mounted inside the ashtray for the Parrot radio. The plan is for it to look stock when closed, then when you open the ashtray, a graphic overlay will light up and you will have all of the plug mounts ready to roll. That should be complete in a few weeks.

(Before securing the decal and panel)
photo-51.jpg
photo-52.jpg
photo-51.jpg

[jawn101]

Hello! Well, the updated HVAC panel project has come to a close! Both the graphic overlay and the light panel withstood the hot car with flying colors. I took a couple quick pictures the other day before I permanently affixed the decal and light panel to the bracket and wanted to share them with everyone below (that is why there is some bleeding light in the photo since it was loose). Since these pictures were taken, I have customized the center knob to match the left and right one with only one white marking and have finished up securing the decal and light panel permanently. I was going to give you my step-by-step log but realized I posted most of the details already. I have made extra light panels so I might consider putting together a few mod kits if there is any interest. Unfortunately because of the materials and time, it will most likely not be cheap. However, I am putting it out there if anyone is interested...Thank you for all of your helpful comments along the way - it looks absolutely BEAUTIFUL in the car! If anyone would like additional photos or informations, let me know and will post those in this thread.

ALSO! Stay tuned for a new thread including the custom illuminated USB, iPhone, and "line in" panel mounted inside the ashtray for the Parrot radio. The plan is for it to look stock when closed, then when you open the ashtray, a graphic overlay will light up and you will have all of the plug mounts ready to roll. That should be complete in a few weeks.

photo-51.jpg
photo-52.jpg

This looks even better than expected. Well done!

[kajcienski]

This looks even better than expected. Well done!

Thanks Jon! Now that I know how to make graphic overlays myself, I have a fever... Trying to find other places in the car to use them (like a new shifter decal that matches the HVAC and then the ashtray project I mentioned).

[jawn101]

Thanks Jon! Now that I know how to make graphic overlays myself, I have a fever... Trying to find other places in the car to use them (like a new shifter decal that matches the HVAC and then the ashtray project I mentioned).

Put your overlay fever to work making replacement headlight and hazard switch decals! Lots of us have worn out ones and don't necessarily want to get the pricey new DMCH switch I'd buy one of each!

[kajcienski]

Put your overlay fever to work making replacement headlight and hazard switch decals! Lots of us have worn out ones and don't necessarily want to get the pricey new DMCH switch I'd buy one of each!

That would be pretty simple - I'll take a closer look. I would be worried about the decal thickness not looking flush. Any graphic update requests?

[DMC5180]

Looks nice! Can you post a better No flash photo of the illumination in darkness. The blue half of the temp control seems like it's not getting enough light. But that could be the detached decal causing that.

[kajcienski]

Looks nice! Can you post a better No flash photo of the illumination in darkness. The blue half of the temp control seems like it's not getting enough light. But that could be the detached decal causing that.

Thanks! I'll post some additional pictures when I am at my garage next. The blue part of the decal, even on the original light panel and decal, does not light up nearly as well. I am looking into adding a small LED to give that side of the temp control decal the extra light it needs to even out. But before that, am going to try extra reflective material on the back of the panel. It doesn't look totally out of place, but is noticeable since everything else on the panel lights so evenly. I'll post what I end up with.

[kajcienski]

Thanks! I'll post some additional pictures when I am at my garage next. The blue part of the decal, even on the original light panel and decal, does not light up nearly as well. I am looking into adding a small LED to give that side of the temp control decal the extra light it needs to even out. But before that, am going to try extra reflective material on the back of the panel. It doesn't look totally out of place, but is noticeable since everything else on the panel lights so evenly. I'll post what I end up with.

After working on a "black" decal in which the graphics only light up when backlit like in Vin 500, I determined that the stock backlit panel just doesn't give off the even light needed for it to look any good or effective. Possibly this is the reason the original never made it past Vin "1". However, I have made a prototype light panel that uses super bright LEDs (tuned to the desired light intensity with resistors) offering incredibly even lighting, long life, and very little heat. It is installed in the car and works extremely well with my current overlay. I will be continuing with the "black" HVAC overlay and see what I come up with. If it looks like I hope it will, I might make a few for the stock knob arrangement (I have moved my center knob and warning light around as in an earlier post) for kicks. However, the light panel would need to be converted to a custom LED panel as I did for it to show correctly. Fun stuff!