New in dash monitor (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Topic: New in dash monitor (was Re: What did you do to your coach today) (Read 882 times) previous topic - next topic

New in dash monitor (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

August 01, 2012, 11:50:56 am

I replaced my failing Javelin monitor with an LCD monitor. Thanks to Brett Wolfe for a bit of wiring help it was a very easy and inexpensive upgrade. I really like how it turns on instantly and is like HD compared to the old monitor. My new one only cost $45 from an ebay seller. 7" TFT LCD Digital Car Reversing Rearview Backup Camera Monitor | eBay. Time will tell if it was a bad idea going so cheap, but so far I like it. Color camera is next. Now I have to finish cleaning up all the dust from sawing out the hole

Re: New in dash monitor (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #1 – August 01, 2012, 12:21:51 pm

Curious, did u modify the Javelina opening or just set it on top of the dash?

Best Regards,
Benjie

Benjie Zeller
(512) 587-4628

Re: New in dash monitor (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #2 – August 01, 2012, 01:06:00 pm

You can see it in the pic... I cut the dash...... very easy to do

Re: New in dash monitor (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #3 – August 01, 2012, 01:09:51 pm

Looks good, just how "easy" was the rewiring process. Monitor looks great, price looks better.

Roland

Re: New in dash monitor (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #4 – August 01, 2012, 01:22:49 pm

Quote from: Benjie Zeller – August 01, 2012, 12:21:51 pm

Curious, did u modify the Javelina opening or just set it on top of the dash?

Best Regards,
Benjie

Benjie Zeller
(512) 587-4628

Benjie,
Don't you have an illuminated bezel around your dash?
FT has at least three different types of dash. If you have an illuminated bezel, DO NOT CUT OR DRILL THIS TYPE OF DASH.
FWIW,
Neal

Re: New in dash monitor (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #5 – August 01, 2012, 02:07:52 pm

Neal,
Having heard about the vulnerability of our illuminated dashboards in a previous thread, is there any information about how it works and if there is any safe way to modify it without loosing the awesome night time look of it? I saw a YouTube video where somebody modified the dash by cutting the opening large to accommodate a large screen, but it never showed the dash at night and the poster never responded to my query about whether or not the illumination was still working, or if it worked before for that matter. I was all set to plan this mod when I learned about how delicate the dash is...

Quote from: Neal Pillsbury – August 01, 2012, 01:22:49 pm

Benjie,
Don't you have an illuminated bezel around your dash?
FT has at least three different types of dash. If you have an illuminated bezel, DO NOT CUT OR DRILL THIS TYPE OF DASH.
FWIW,
Neal

Re: New in dash monitor (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #6 – August 01, 2012, 02:15:18 pm

Sorry was viewing this on email and didn't realize a pic was attached to the post. Nice!

Best Regards,
Benjie

Benjie Zeller
(512) 587-4628

Re: New in dash monitor (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #7 – August 01, 2012, 02:39:03 pm

Don.. If you have an electroluminescent (illuminated)panel, It is impossible to cut, drill or even get a crack in it without destroying it's capabilities.

Re: New in dash monitor (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #8 – August 01, 2012, 02:47:08 pm

My dash is illuminated by a few little LEDs sticking out of the dash with light directed down on various knobs, etc. Is that what you're referring to? I wouldn't refer to the lighting method as illuminated bezels.

Quote from: Neal Pillsbury – August 01, 2012, 01:22:49 pm

Benjie,
Don't you have an illuminated bezel around your dash?
FT has at least three different types of dash. If you have an illuminated bezel, DO NOT CUT OR DRILL THIS TYPE OF DASH.
FWIW,
Neal

Re: New in dash monitor (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #9 – August 01, 2012, 02:49:50 pm

Quote from: Roland Begin – August 01, 2012, 01:09:51 pm

Looks good, just how "easy" was the rewiring process. Monitor looks great, price looks better.

Roland

Roland,
After removing the old monitor (6 screws) all I had to do was use the old power and ground wires to power the new monitor, then I just cut the old video coax and added an RCA male adapter from Radio Shack (I did solder all connections)plugged it in and poof I was done. I leave the new monitor power switch on and turn it off and on with the old switch and the old switch still controls either the back up view or Audit display...... Once Brett cleared my head about the wiring, it only takes about ten minutes to change over.....

If anyone needs the old Javelin monitor, it is your for the price of postage. It does work, but may need the vertical picture adjusted......
I really like the instant on and very low power requirement of the new monitor.....

Re: New in dash monitor (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #10 – August 01, 2012, 03:08:56 pm

you will love the new camera...when you get it - picture becomes amazing - MOT put one in for me they got from Tim at RVCams. can now almost see bumper, can see behind toad for first time, and also further out to the sides.

Re: New in dash monitor (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #11 – August 01, 2012, 04:39:07 pm

RV Cams put a Viewsonic colour screen and tiltable camera with sound on this coach for previous owner. It is great and clear and at night is also good.
John H

Re: New in dash monitor (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #12 – August 01, 2012, 05:19:42 pm

Nice job Steve! I may have to add this to my project list...

see ya
ken

Re: New in dash monitor (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #13 – August 01, 2012, 06:31:45 pm

Not Available in 95 models.

Re: New in dash monitor (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #14 – August 01, 2012, 07:11:52 pm

Anyone know if it will replace the factory monitor on a 1999?

Re: New in dash monitor (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #15 – August 01, 2012, 08:19:59 pm

Quote from: Dave Head – August 01, 2012, 06:31:45 pm

Not Available in 95 models.

Thanks Dave. I couldn't remember.
Neal

Quote from: acousticart – August 01, 2012, 02:07:52 pm

Having heard about the vulnerability of our illuminated dashboards in a previous thread, is there any information about how it works and if there is any safe way to modify it without loosing the awesome night time look of it? I saw a YouTube video where somebody modified the dash by cutting the opening large to accommodate a large screen, but it never showed the dash at night and the poster never responded to my query about whether or not the illumination was still working, or if it worked before for that matter. I was all set to plan this mod when I learned about how delicate the dash is...

Don,
Search for electroluminescent dash. It yields several very informative threads with good info from Dave Head and James Stallings.
Neal

Re: New in dash monitor (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #16 – August 01, 2012, 09:37:36 pm

Quote from: acousticart – August 01, 2012, 02:07:52 pm

....I saw a YouTube video where somebody modified the dash by cutting the opening large to accommodate a large screen, but it never showed the dash at night and the poster never responded to my query about whether or not the illumination was still working, or if it worked before for that matter....

Don,
That was one of Greg Jones' great YouTube videos.
I can't seem to bring it up on my iPhone. Greg's was a '95 U280, as I recall, so no EL dash.
Search Greg Jones YouTube.
FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH,
Neal

Re: New in dash monitor (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #17 – August 01, 2012, 10:19:47 pm

Ours has the illuminated dash of course so my 7" screen was-is velcroed onto dash so does not affect that lighting.. It did cover the outlights for 12volts so I added a new set up on the top next to windscreen and is great, and handy. Total 3 outlets.

Re: New in dash monitor (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #18 – August 02, 2012, 12:45:19 am

I also replaced the Javelina monitor with an LCD monitor and I cut larger holes in the dash.
See attached picture.

The monitor is attached to the right upper dash area on an arm which allows it to be rotated for best viewing.

The hole left by removing the Javelina monitor was enlarged to allowed the installation of two new items: a Silverleaf VMS 120LC and a CB Radio with weather.

I also replaced the Audit 863 tank monitor with a two panel See-level monitor system. One See-level panel is in the kitchen and the other is beside the driver seat.

Re: New in dash monitor (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #19 – August 02, 2012, 01:12:16 am

Wyatt,
Does (or did) your 96' have the electroluminescent dash, and does it still work after cutting the holes larger?
Thanks,
Don

Quote from: P. Wyatt Sabourin – August 02, 2012, 12:45:19 am

I also replaced the Javelina monitor with an LCD monitor and I cut larger holes in the dash.
See attached picture.

The monitor is attached to the right upper dash area on an arm which allows it to be rotated for best viewing.

The hole left by removing the Javelina monitor was enlarged to allowed the installation of two new items: a Silverleaf VMS 120LC and a CB Radio with weather.

I also replaced the Audit 863 tank monitor with a two panel See-level monitor system. One See-level panel is in the kitchen and the other is beside the driver seat.

Re: New in dash monitor (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #20 – August 02, 2012, 01:16:24 am

Neal,
Thanks for the info! Good video on replacing generator fuel lines... cool stuff.
Don

Quote from: Neal Pillsbury – August 01, 2012, 09:37:36 pm

Don,
That was one of Greg Jones' great YouTube videos.
I can't seem to bring it up on my iPhone. Greg's was a '95 U280, as I recall, so no EL dash.
Search Greg Jones YouTube.
FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH,
Neal

Re: New in dash monitor (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #21 – August 02, 2012, 08:46:45 am

My coach was modified, Javelina was taken out, Sea Level gauges installed in the same dash space, and a separate monitor was installed on the left side of the dash on the outer edge of the flat dash area. Monitor is switched off the old dash switch, and I used the other dash switch for a new dash inverter for going down the road computers.

Re: New in dash monitor (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #22 – August 02, 2012, 01:53:37 pm

No electroluminescent dash in my 1996 U320 - there are many dash bulbs visible on the back side of the dash and the dash is just a sheet of painted metal with many holes.

Re: New in dash monitor (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #23 – August 02, 2012, 02:34:34 pm

Thanks Wyatt! BTW, I have enjoyed looking at pictures and reading about many great mods and repairs you have done on your coach. I have gotten a lot of good info from your posts and bookmarked several. I am looking to get our coach as boondockable as yours

Don

Quote from: P. Wyatt Sabourin – August 02, 2012, 01:53:37 pm

No electroluminescent dash in my 1996 U320 - there are many dash bulbs visible on the back side of the dash and the dash is just a sheet of painted metal with many holes.

Affiliate Notice