Luminescent dash power source

Topic: Luminescent dash power source (Read 1525 times) previous topic - next topic

Luminescent dash power source

March 19, 2025, 05:59:52 pm

Some of my luminescent dash lighting did work and now it does not. I removed a "black" box with power lines when i replaced the dash monitor with an aftermarket monitor. Was that the power source for the dash luminescent lights?
If not, does anyone have a description or location for the power source?

Re: Luminescent dash power source

Reply #1 – March 19, 2025, 06:38:31 pm

The EL dash is powered by an inverter.

dash inverter

The dash panels themselves are easy to short out if you cut or drill into them. If you did so to replace the in-dash monitor, you may be out of luck.

Re: Luminescent dash power source

Reply #2 – March 19, 2025, 06:44:32 pm

More info from James Stallings:

Instrument panel back-lighting

Re: Luminescent dash power source

Reply #3 – March 20, 2025, 12:13:49 pm

luminescent dash, I've never seen one and wonder if my coach has one. Looks really cool. How can I tell? Thx. Jim.

Re: Luminescent dash power source

Reply #4 – March 20, 2025, 12:59:44 pm

My understanding is that the pre '01 units had the luminescent dash but my '02 has some backlit indicators that i think are also luminescent including the generator panel, hvac controls and headlight dimmer switch.

Re: Luminescent dash power source

Reply #5 – March 20, 2025, 02:06:59 pm

Quote from: Geodmann – March 20, 2025, 12:59:44 pm

My understanding is that the pre '01 units had the luminescent dash

Correct. 2001 and newer have a different dash.

To see a photo of one lit up, see this post Gauge arrangement and dash illumination questions

Re: Luminescent dash power source

Reply #6 – March 20, 2025, 03:08:56 pm

I posted this photo in the past trying to ID this disc like device but didn't get any responses. I've since confirmed it has to do with the back lightning because there is three of them located behind each backlit group i described. Still don't know if there is a power supply of some sort because it's impossible to trace the wires in the large bundle behind the dash. I do really like the old dash when it's lit.

Re: Luminescent dash power source

Reply #7 – March 23, 2025, 08:02:53 pm

That is the power supply. Each one is an inverter, changing 12 volts dc to 120 ac to light the circuit.

Re: Luminescent dash power source

Reply #8 – March 25, 2025, 02:23:11 am

So if one of the panels is not working(or has some damage) can you disconnect it so the other panels light up or are they all connected?

Re: Luminescent dash power source

Reply #9 – March 25, 2025, 08:51:20 am

Peter, some good info in this post!

luminescent dash

Re: Luminescent dash power source

Reply #10 – March 25, 2025, 05:08:22 pm

Quote from: Peter – March 25, 2025, 02:23:11 am

So if one of the panels is not working(or has some damage) can you disconnect it so the other panels light up or are they all connected?

My 97 panels have a separate inverter mounted on each panel

Re: Luminescent dash power source

Reply #11 – March 25, 2025, 05:39:04 pm

From the Media section, here is the drawing for the electroluminescent dash for 1998 and newer

The selected media item is not currently available.

This one appears to have an earlier date, so 1997 coaches, which lacks the dimmer

The selected media item is not currently available.

Re: Luminescent dash power source

Reply #12 – March 30, 2025, 11:03:47 am

If you have a come and go issue, make darn sure you don't have a short.

The resident Foretravel experts....MOT, destroyed ours by drilling a 1/2" hole completely through one of the ribbons to install a pushbutton for a Blue OX steering stabilizer for the owner before us.

It was working when we bought it, but soon thereafter started slowly smoldering/ smoking right after I Pushed the button to reset the stabilizer. Darn lucky the coach didnt burn up before I found it.

Re: Luminescent dash power source

Reply #13 – March 30, 2025, 01:29:46 pm

Michelle
Reference the dash for the 1998 you listed the picture schematic for.
Is the dimmer referenced for the luminous dash the same as the picture i have attached of the dash. I have a dash light dimmer in the top left corner above the HWH panel

Re: Luminescent dash power source

Reply #14 – April 06, 2025, 05:11:19 pm

Anyone?

Re: Luminescent dash power source

Reply #15 – April 07, 2025, 01:11:27 pm

Yes. The top left corner is the dimmer knob for the dash lights and luminescent surround.

Re: Luminescent dash power source

Reply #16 – April 07, 2025, 09:27:04 pm

Thanks!!

Re: Luminescent dash power source

Reply #17 – April 07, 2025, 11:07:15 pm

On my 2000 GV320 the knob on the dash is the dimmer for the guage's backlight and then there's another dimmer on the left hand switch panel that's the luminescent dimmer...

Re: Luminescent dash power source

Reply #18 – April 10, 2025, 09:22:52 pm

Hmmmm. Only one dimmer on the dash on mine

Re: Luminescent dash power source

Reply #19 – April 10, 2025, 09:29:45 pm

Quote from: SuperFore – April 07, 2025, 11:07:15 pm

On my 2000 GV320 the knob on the dash is the dimmer for the guage's backlight and then there's another dimmer on the left hand switch panel that's the luminescent dimmer...

Ditto on our 2000 U320.

Re: Luminescent dash power source

Reply #20 – April 10, 2025, 10:22:13 pm

99 U270 one knob on top left

Re: Luminescent dash power source

Reply #21 – April 11, 2025, 12:48:53 pm

The luminescent dash lights on our 1997 U295 worked intermittently. The original power source was a Javelina "Dash Inverter" (see photos) with wires that split and eventually terminate on the back side of each dash panel.

Just installed a replacement luminescent light inverter and the lights work great now!

Replacement inverter is from Elluminglow out of Oregon. They communicate via e-mail (no phone number listed) but they reply promptly and were very helpful. I sent them a photo of the old inverter and a copy of the wiring schematic. The replacement inverter is $60 plus shipping. It comes with a plug in power supply but if you let them know that you are wiring into the motorhome dash and replacing an existing inverter, they will include a wired power pigtail so you can match to the existing wiring. The white wire you see in the photos, splits into 2 separate white wires that I connected to the 2 green wires.

If you look at the "after" photos with the luminescent lights working, you can see a few dead spots where the lights are out. There is no damage to the dash panels at those locations like I have seen in some of the other posts where the lights have shorted out. I suspect the lights are just burnt out at those spots and 95% of lights are much better than no luminescent lighting at all. If you do know how to fix those dead spots, please let me know.

Hopefully this info helps someone.

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