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08-08-2019, 03:32 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Salisbury N.C.
Posts: 82
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Instrument lights on E450 Forest river forester 3011 DS Class C
Does anyone have a fix for the dash lights. In the bright daylight you can’t read the speedometer or any of the other gauges. I have tried to turn the lights on and turn the dimmer all the way up with no help. Is there a small set of lights you can put on the gauges to help. I had to use my flashlight today on the way home so wouldn’t get a ticket. I use my gps but didn’t have it today.
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08-08-2019, 05:53 PM
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#2
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Surprise, AZ
Posts: 22
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Same problem so I will be interested to hear about any fixes.
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08-08-2019, 07:19 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Mount Laurel, New Jersey
Posts: 9,230
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I have a Scan Gauge mounted with Velcro on the top of the dash and one of the readings is speed. Easier to read up there with just a glance. Side Benny if the computer throws a code, you can read it. Works on any OBD2 system.
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2012 SunSeeker 3100SS Toad-1962 Futura Average 100 + days camping
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08-09-2019, 11:38 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 860
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Instrument lights on E450 Forest river forester 3011 DS Class C
+1 on the Scangauge plus I use my Garmin GPS for speed as well. I’m in Canada and the kilometres scale on the gauge is unreadable it’s so small the indicator needle covers 10kph on the gauge.
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Brian
2015 Forester 2801QS GTS
TOAD-Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 14 kayak and Yamaha Zuma 50cc scooter on a custom trailer.
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08-09-2019, 12:24 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Mount Laurel, New Jersey
Posts: 9,230
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I like the scan gauge because its almost like a heads up display. I only have to glance at it.
__________________
2012 SunSeeker 3100SS Toad-1962 Futura Average 100 + days camping
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08-09-2019, 01:00 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Richmond VA
Posts: 4,515
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Ford E-series:
Quote:
INSTRUMENT LIGHTING
DIMMER
Note:If you disconnect the battery or it becomes discharged, the dimmer switch will require re-calibration. Rotate the dimmer switch from the full dim position to the full dome/on position to reset.
Note:Move the control to the full upright position, past detent, to turn on the interior lamps. Move the control up or down to adjust the intensity of the panel lighting.
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-- Chuck
__________________
2006 Roo 23SS behind a 2017 Ford Expedition
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08-09-2019, 02:13 PM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Salisbury N.C.
Posts: 82
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e450
thanks chuck I did that. Don’t if it did any good yet. Will see when I go out on next trip.
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08-09-2019, 02:17 PM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Salisbury N.C.
Posts: 82
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What model of scangauge do you have.
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08-09-2019, 03:09 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Richmond VA
Posts: 4,515
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Joel --
For grins remove the Negative battery wire, let the system sit for a minute or two, and reconnect. This may reset the module that's controlling dash illumination. It'll brick your radio, though, so have the code handy. Won't cost you more than 10 minutes. And might just work.
Next stop is one of the Ford Truck forums -- lots of guys with E-series vans there.
-- Chuck
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2006 Roo 23SS behind a 2017 Ford Expedition
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08-09-2019, 04:27 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,223
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Problem with using the dimmer is it only controls the instrument lights when the park/headlight switch is on. It works sorta OK but it dims the radio viewing screen to the point it is very hard to see the rear camera. My cam is pointed down to view the toad connection and front end. I use a ten inch iPad Pro for a rear traffic observation camera mounted on the Jeep so it has its own dimming feature.
So now, y’all got me thinking about a solution, which is really needed. The gauges are really hard to see in daylight. I cut a 12” strip of white LED lights, soldered some 24 gauge wire to it, dropped the wire down behind the panel trim and hooked it to a 9 volt battery. That is just a temporary setup which I will test to see if it works during my five hour drive on Sunday.
If it works then I’ll install a permanent wire and connect it to the chassis electrical system with a mini switch and fuse. I let y’all know the results Sunday night.
Here’s a pix. The reflection of the fuel and temp gauges is only visible to the camera...can’t see it while seated and driving.
__________________
BIRDS AREN’T REAL
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08-09-2019, 04:58 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: North Alabama
Posts: 230
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instrument panel
I have the same problem and will be interested in a solution.
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08-12-2019, 11:25 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,223
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I got to try the lights shown in post 10 on a six hour drive yesterday. It works great..better than great. The speedometer and tack are visible regardless of any glare from the sun or whatever. The only question now is will it be too bright when connected to 12 volt ( the temporary connection is a nine volt battery). I don’t think it’ll be a problem.
I’m going to cut a longer LED strip and mount an on/off switch. I have all the parts required laying around but if the lights are too bright I can install an in-line dimmer switch. Avoiding that because a good one costs $30.
__________________
BIRDS AREN’T REAL
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08-12-2019, 11:31 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: North Alabama
Posts: 230
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Can you provide a list of parts that i can order?
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08-13-2019, 07:17 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,223
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The lights worked just fine on the trip. Permanent set installed and wired through a push button switch on the previously added switch panel. I only had a nine volt battery for the test so it might be a little too bright now with 12 volts. If it’s too much I’ll change the push button switch with a rotary dimmer.
__________________
BIRDS AREN’T REAL
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08-13-2019, 10:48 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: North Alabama
Posts: 230
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Looks great! really lights up the panel. I will PM you tomorrow to get the right stuff list.
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08-14-2019, 08:28 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,223
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SQROOT
Looks great! really lights up the panel. I will PM you tomorrow to get the right stuff list.
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Check your pm box. Already sent the info.
__________________
BIRDS AREN’T REAL
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08-18-2019, 01:16 PM
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#17
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 51
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What I don't understand is why Ford doesn't get it. The black background makes it almost impossible to read mph, rpms, etc. on a cloudy day or when wearing sun glasses. Either make the background white or include an adjustable backlight. Had the same problem with my FR3 and now Forester.
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08-18-2019, 03:46 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 4,330
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I guess I’m not “seeing” the problem. The numbers and tick marks are bright white, and the pointers are bright red. My eyesight isn’t all that great, but I’ve not had any difficulty seeing the instruments in any weather on my 2019 E450. However, I will say the Sony rear view camera provided in the Sunseeker is too dim.
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05-15-2020, 02:39 PM
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#19
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 8
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Installed LED lights for the dash
I found these LED DashLitz at Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Dashlitz-Blue/778017799
Installed them and they work great! Took some work to hide the wires but I was on hold on a phone call so it worked out! Here's some pics:
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05-25-2020, 12:27 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 130
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I have the same issue my other issue the large screen on the radio at night is very bright to the point my wife will not drive at night
Can’t figure out how to dim it
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