New Dash gauge setup Question

jraynor · August 24, 2018, 05:09:31 AM

Hello All,

I am wanting to get some opinions before I start building my new dash and I have a question for those who have 1. traveled a bunch and 2 have rebuilt/installed new dashes.

My question is: Currently my gauges (speed/air) are set deep in the dash (~3 inches) and other gauges ~1 inch. Is there an issue with flush mounting the gauges? I assume they are set in the dash to prevent glare/shine from the sun affecting their visability

Please let me know your opinions as I want to start building this soon after I get my cameras installed this weekend

Bill Gerrie · August 24, 2018, 07:36:44 AM

Mine are all mounted flush. I just like to know what everything is doing.

jraynor · August 24, 2018, 07:39:58 AM

Quote from: Bill Gerrie on August 24, 2018, 07:36:44 AM
Mine are all mounted flush. I just like to know what everything is doing.

Nice setup. Do you have any issue with being able to see the gauges due to sun glare?

ol713 · August 24, 2018, 07:43:50 AM

HI;
My MC-7 came with factory mounted flush gauges. I like it because
I can see everything at a glance. Also it is easy to clean with just a
cloth or a vacuum. My thinking is that the recessed gauges are a
great place to collect bugs and dust. Good luck.
Merle

Iceni John · August 24, 2018, 07:48:30 AM

My gauge panel has a cowl over the top of it to keep sun glare off the gauges, but I still sometimes get sun reflections on the gauges which makes them almost impossible to read accurately. I'm toying with the idea of making the cowl extend out an inch or two further, not as much as an aircraft's, but enough to keep the sun off them. All my gauges are flush to the panel surface, not recessed. It would be nice if the gauge manufacturers offered non-reflective glass (or clear plastic), but none do.

John

jraynor · August 24, 2018, 08:15:05 AM

Quote from: Iceni John on August 24, 2018, 07:48:30 AM
My gauge panel has a cowl over the top of it to keep sun glare off the gauges, but I still sometimes get sun reflections on the gauges which makes them almost impossible to read accurately. I'm toying with the idea of making the cowl extend out an inch or two further, not as much as an aircraft's, but enough to keep the sun off them. All my gauges are flush to the panel surface, not recessed. It would be nice if the gauge manufacturers offered non-reflective glass (or clear plastic), but none do.

John

That's what I was considering about possible adding as I build it would be a cowl. Do you have any pictures so that I could see how far yours extends?

edvanland · August 24, 2018, 08:41:49 AM

My MCI 7 has the recessed gauges and I hate them. Hard to see and clean.

Bill Gerrie · August 24, 2018, 10:14:59 AM

The amount of glare or unable to read is at a minimum. Not really an issue.

jraynor · August 24, 2018, 10:40:11 AM

Quote from: Bill Gerrie on August 24, 2018, 10:14:59 AM
The amount of glare or unable to read is at a minimum. Not really an issue.

Sounds like the solution is pretty clear. Flush mounting has no issue but little glare. Adding a cowl if possible will reduce this. But definitely having recessed gauges suck.

Thanks everyone, I shall post pictures as I go, so ill post them on here

Iceni John · August 24, 2018, 12:16:26 PM

Quote from: jraynor on August 24, 2018, 08:15:05 AM
That's what I was considering about possible adding as I build it would be a cowl. Do you have any pictures so that I could see how far yours extends?

This is what mine looks like: http://www.flickriver.com/photos/23546986@N08/3329649755/
I think another inch or two should take care of sun glare. Otherwise, it's perfect for me. Crown had some help from MIT when they designed these buses, and it shows - everything is laid out in a very logical and rational way.

John

sledhead · August 24, 2018, 02:30:32 PM

I had the sunken gauges on the M C I and did not like it for cleaning and if they were white backed it would have been easier to see

this is the dash on the Featherlite and again I wish the gauges were white backed but they are easier to see then the M C I was

dave

eagle19952 · August 24, 2018, 07:33:40 PM

looks like the NASA Space Center

or maybe the NYSE

buswarrior · August 25, 2018, 05:54:42 AM

Don't forget about NIGHT DRIVING...

There have been many buses over the years that did a "great job" of throwing light reflections onto the glass around the driver, in some of the most irritating places.

Two goals: You can the gauge in the daylight, you can see out the glass in the night time.

happy coaching!
buswarrior