Skins are in! When Microsoft started using the term Dashboard computing, back in 1997, and then added the optional skin displays with Windows 95 and 98 for the media player, I wondered if the Auto industry would ever catch up. Seems they have. the new Mercedes S-series has full video, even at night of the road and even gauge display is flexible. The article has a few pics: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30091872/ I can imagine the wiring nightmare. EDIT: This is a simpler connection nightmare though right back to the 50's: http://www.nordskogperformance.net/ http://nordskogperformance.net/home.php?cat=10
WOW! I remember when those and Dakota digital gauges first came out, the price has plummeted since then. The price of the digital stuff is now in the same range of the good analog gauge sets (VDO, Stewart Warner, Auto Meter) of course there is something to be said for the sweep of an analog needle over the cold stare of LED numbers and bars.
I downloaded their catalog and they do have analog displays as well. All digital circuitry inside, and feedback wiring back to sensors (if the vehicle has any or an OBDII).
Speaking of dash boards. Did you know that the dashboard goes way way back? On horse drawn carriges and wagons etc. the dashboard was there on the front to deflect the dirt, water and other horse flung things away from the people. Dash away, dash away, dash away all....even applied to sleighs apparently drawn by tiny little reindeer. The term stuck and with the advent of the automobile the common term for the instrument panel is dash board. Now you know the rest of the story.
Custom configurable instrument panels - hot diggity! This still creates another problem though - how expensive will it be to replace it when it goes dark? If they can make it 'plug-in', it shouldn't be too bad. Good luck with your project, Norman. Over on ImpalaSS forum, there's one guy who did a very neat install of a PC in his Roadmaster wagon (and another guy who did the same thing with a not-so-neat install).
The non-lighting circuits are fairly straighforward and repairable, the LED lights can be purchased, but they've got a 10,000 hour life at least. The LCD displays are the bear. They can't handle severe temp changes and humidity fluctuations. MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure) is about 5 years as a monitor before they degrade. That's why I like the Nordskog gauges, all LED.
