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Old 12-16-2017, 04:25 PM   #1
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Control Panel Backlight Isata 3

I found the switches on the control panel down low by the stairwell somewhat hard to see, even in the day time. So with a little experimenting with a flashlight I discovered that the engraved labeling on the switch panel would illuminate when lit from behind.. I had some LED light tape laying around and with a little trial and error came up with a fairly successful way to backlight the control panel.
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Old 12-16-2017, 09:56 PM   #2
hhl
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Great idea, like your mod.
Just ordered 18 inch led light bar
Now I have other option.Click image for larger version

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Old 12-17-2017, 01:24 AM   #3
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Brilliant.... pun intended. I will definitely do this; they are currently very hard to read at any time of day. Great mod.
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Old 12-17-2017, 07:39 AM   #4
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"I had some LED light tape laying around and with a little trial and error came up with a fairly successful way to back light the control panel."

Looks interesting , how do you control the light bar?
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Old 12-17-2017, 10:35 AM   #5
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It may be a good idea to install a momentary contact switch somewhere near the control panel to switch the LED light on temporarily so it is not left on by accident.
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Old 12-17-2017, 10:58 AM   #6
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Light bar has on/off rocker switch.
Really like chroniecon mod.
Ordered led strip 12 inch, need insulated piggy back spade connectors.
Photo's shows common on heater switch thinking to use step switch to turn light on and off
Have to open panel do some testing Click image for larger version

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Old 12-17-2017, 01:15 PM   #7
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Chroniekon,

Where did you tap in / power your light strip?
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Old 12-17-2017, 01:16 PM   #8
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I have mine wired into the entry light switch. It's the first switch on the panel, so easy to find in the dark and also easy to find when reaching in from the outside. It's also a 3-way switch paired with the switch to the right of the stove that controls the upper row of lights nearest the kitchen. The downside is, it needs to be spliced in at the switch to the right of the stove and that requires fishing a wire up the wall between the stove and fridge. I thought about adding a dedicated switch just for the backlight, but I thought it might be too easy to forget, and leave it on. Magnatudes idea of a momentary switch would solve that issue.
There are a couple of other subtleties. You will find when you first turn on the backlight that there is some light 'leakage' around the level indicators to the right of the panel. Also it will make the indicator light on the Magnum remote switch light up, even when not turned on. I used some black electrical tape to mask off these items from the back. Another issue was getting light up to the 'HOURMETER' engraving for the generator. My fix was to fashion a reflector (you can see it in the picture) out of tin foil. It looks cheezy, but works.
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Old 12-18-2017, 09:34 AM   #9
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chroniekon, what a great idea. Gonna put it on my list of improvements.
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Old 12-18-2017, 12:16 PM   #10
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pffttttt. You would think for the amount of money you spend on these things, they wouldn't use cheap blue painters tape and aluminum foil.

Once we convert these over to multiplex, the switches will be LED backlit (PS. before anyone asks, no I can't add it to one you have coming, its just an idea right now), but in the meantime...great mod.
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Old 12-18-2017, 12:22 PM   #11
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Can I get just the backlit switches on the one you are scheduled to build for me?
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Old 12-18-2017, 02:13 PM   #12
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[QUOTE=bclemens;1690249]pffttttt. You would think for the amount of money you spend on these things, they wouldn't use cheap blue painters tape and aluminum foil.

Hey, I'll have you know this is the Expensive 3M painters tape. And I was living on the edge when I stole that aluminum foil from the DW's kitchen!
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Old 12-19-2017, 10:34 AM   #13
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Ahhh...well why didn't you say that in the first place. that's a top notch tape job then.
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Old 12-19-2017, 06:50 PM   #14
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hhl,

"Just ordered 18 inch led light bar"

What light bar did you order (part#)?
Amazon?

The picture you posted makes it look like a simple install.
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Old 12-19-2017, 07:05 PM   #15
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Old 12-19-2017, 07:07 PM   #16
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Also in white LED only
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Old 12-19-2017, 07:31 PM   #17
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Another handy place for some extra lighting is under the rear corner on the drivers side just behind the generator. I used led rope light, but your light bar would work good too provided it is rated for outdoor use. I wired it into the switch that controls the light that's near the outdoor shower. It beats having to hold a flashlight while hooking up the utilities on those late night campground arrivals.
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Old 12-19-2017, 09:04 PM   #18
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Other good idea to mount led bar light to bottom of rv wall and light up
Service area campsite.
Light is waterproof designed for boat and rv.
Right now I am using head lamp.
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Old 12-19-2017, 10:23 PM   #19
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I chose a red and white LED bar light. When we are camping in dark sky areas I want to turn red LED on at bedtime and late at night so when we go outside we do not lose night vision.
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