Switchable dashboard lighting..... why?
Discussion
Just, why? 
I know these cars can fly, but I rarely feel the need to dim the cabin lights for final approach - why can't the dash ligthing be hardwired to the headlamp circuit?
I also have a random tip, based on my trip out last night - don't gaffer tape anything to the garage wall next to your car. If by some tiny coincidence the gaffer tape comes off the wall and in the process of falling sticks to the bodywork, then trying to remove the glue residue is horrendous.
I know these cars can fly, but I rarely feel the need to dim the cabin lights for final approach - why can't the dash ligthing be hardwired to the headlamp circuit?
I also have a random tip, based on my trip out last night - don't gaffer tape anything to the garage wall next to your car. If by some tiny coincidence the gaffer tape comes off the wall and in the process of falling sticks to the bodywork, then trying to remove the glue residue is horrendous.
Chris71 said:
Just, why?
I know these cars can fly, but I rarely feel the need to dim the cabin lights for final approach - why can't the dash ligthing be hardwired to the headlamp circuit?
I also have a random tip, based on my trip out last night - don't gaffer tape anything to the garage wall next to your car. If by some tiny coincidence the gaffer tape comes off the wall and in the process of falling sticks to the bodywork, then trying to remove the glue residue is horrendous.
Ah, the mysteries of owning a TVR. Great though, isnt it?I know these cars can fly, but I rarely feel the need to dim the cabin lights for final approach - why can't the dash ligthing be hardwired to the headlamp circuit?
I also have a random tip, based on my trip out last night - don't gaffer tape anything to the garage wall next to your car. If by some tiny coincidence the gaffer tape comes off the wall and in the process of falling sticks to the bodywork, then trying to remove the glue residue is horrendous.
Maybe it's a reaction to the residual current drain of TVR wiring. "Switch the lights off when you don't care how fast you're going and maximise the alternator charging."
Whatever it's for I like the randomness. I just live in fear of leaving it on one evening and then coming back to find a flat battery the next morning. My garage is a couple of miles away from the house and last night I spent about 20 minutes umming and arring whether to go back and check and then recalled that I had decided speed wasn't very important when you were manouvering in reverse and concluded I had turned them off afterall.
Whatever it's for I like the randomness. I just live in fear of leaving it on one evening and then coming back to find a flat battery the next morning. My garage is a couple of miles away from the house and last night I spent about 20 minutes umming and arring whether to go back and check and then recalled that I had decided speed wasn't very important when you were manouvering in reverse and concluded I had turned them off afterall.
Iirc ( it's been a while since it's been on the road 
) mine are wired into the headlamps so they behave just like 'normal' car dashlights and go off when I turn the headlights off.
Doesn't answer what the reason is why you can switch them off but you shouldn't have to manually switch the dash lights off with the knob before leaving the car ? And TVR would never make 2 cars with different specs now would they
Cheers
Al
) mine are wired into the headlamps so they behave just like 'normal' car dashlights and go off when I turn the headlights off. Doesn't answer what the reason is why you can switch them off but you shouldn't have to manually switch the dash lights off with the knob before leaving the car ? And TVR would never make 2 cars with different specs now would they
Cheers
Al
dougc said:
Does you dash stay illuminated when the headlights are off then?
Mine is adjustable but only comes on once the headlights are switched on
yep mine too only come on if the lights are on. Never mind havnt see gerald today so it was nice to see him. 
Turn lights off - dashboard dark. To save you checking the rear fogs only come on if the headlamps are on, HaTell me about it, had my first night drive on busy roads last night and whilst they don't do too bad a job on their own (not compared to what I was expecting!) they're just completely burnt out in the face of oncoming traffic and you then realise your also sat right at other people's dipped beam height. I drove back so slowly last night - crests over hills were the worst as you could see virtually nothing for a while.
Must check mine next time - I presume you're right, I just assumed at the time that switchable lights would make more sense if they were switched independantly of the headlights.
Must check mine next time - I presume you're right, I just assumed at the time that switchable lights would make more sense if they were switched independantly of the headlights.
Yup on off and dim.
As to why ~ not really sure.
Night driving is an experience. As you say by sitting so low down you get the full glare of the dipped lights of oncoming traffic in your eyes. On a dark road I find that the dash lights reflect off the windscreen which can also be offputting. On the dark country roads up here I sometimes drive with the dash lights off (not that I drive that often in the dark). On a warm starry skyed night driving with the hood down and no dash lights is certainly different from driving a modern car with the space-age dash illuminations.
Other cars of that age also had adjustable dash lights.
My 1989 Landrover terminally failed its MOT recently. I swapped it for a cheap runaround ~ 1993 Polo. I can turn the dash lights up and down on both of those vehicles. In fact the Polo is so posh that it has a dimmer switch! Maybe it's a product of that era.
As to why ~ not really sure.
Night driving is an experience. As you say by sitting so low down you get the full glare of the dipped lights of oncoming traffic in your eyes. On a dark road I find that the dash lights reflect off the windscreen which can also be offputting. On the dark country roads up here I sometimes drive with the dash lights off (not that I drive that often in the dark). On a warm starry skyed night driving with the hood down and no dash lights is certainly different from driving a modern car with the space-age dash illuminations.
Other cars of that age also had adjustable dash lights.
My 1989 Landrover terminally failed its MOT recently. I swapped it for a cheap runaround ~ 1993 Polo. I can turn the dash lights up and down on both of those vehicles. In fact the Polo is so posh that it has a dimmer switch! Maybe it's a product of that era.
Elfit said:
Other cars of that age also had adjustable dash lights.
My 1989 Landrover terminally failed its MOT recently. I swapped it for a cheap runaround ~ 1993 Polo. I can turn the dash lights up and down on both of those vehicles. In fact the Polo is so posh that it has a dimmer switch! Maybe it's a product of that era .
I guess it was some sort of display of technical prowess My 1989 Landrover terminally failed its MOT recently. I swapped it for a cheap runaround ~ 1993 Polo. I can turn the dash lights up and down on both of those vehicles. In fact the Polo is so posh that it has a dimmer switch! Maybe it's a product of that era .
It does seem to be a particular 80's thing you are right.Gassing Station | S Series | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff