JJM_Mack Posted January 9, 2023 Share Posted January 9, 2023 Happy New Year, Everyone! Pictured below is the HVAC and Air Brake Controls panel from my 85' Ultraliner, and you'll see the "ribbon" that provides lighting for all the instrument indicators. This ribbon and a couple of others from the other indicator lights on the panels for the gauges are all connected to a circular connector with a bulb in the middle of it. Was this some type of fiberglass ribbon that would carry the light to the indicators? It feels like cloth, not wire. Any idea how this works, and if this ribbon/tape is still available anywhere? Thanks > Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joey Mack Posted January 9, 2023 Share Posted January 9, 2023 Fiber optics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rubber Duck 006 Posted January 9, 2023 Share Posted January 9, 2023 Early fiber optics. Peterbilt did the exact same thing in the 379s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJM_Mack Posted January 10, 2023 Author Share Posted January 10, 2023 Wow! Very early fiber optics. Can't imagine they were very bright - the light source was a standard mini bulb. I've been looking, and the good news is that I have three options for replacement: 1) 12V side glow fiber optic cable; 2) 3V Flexible LED filament wire (most likely too bright), or 3) LED strip lights (also probably too bright). I'll try the fiber optic stuff - I can get the cable as small as 1mm, so I'll have to playwith the brightness. More pics to follow. Thanks, JM and RD! > Joe 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rubber Duck 006 Posted January 10, 2023 Share Posted January 10, 2023 2 hours ago, JJM_Mack said: Wow! Very early fiber optics. Can't imagine they were very bright - the light source was a standard mini bulb. I've been looking, and the good news is that I have three options for replacement: 1) 12V side glow fiber optic cable; 2) 3V Flexible LED filament wire (most likely too bright), or 3) LED strip lights (also probably too bright). I'll try the fiber optic stuff - I can get the cable as small as 1mm, so I'll have to playwith the brightness. More pics to follow. Thanks, JM and RD! > Joe Actually they were decently bright if the fibers were good. I drove a 1995 Peterbilt 379 and the dash lights were well lit and decent. As the fibers start wearing out or losing their optic Power they git dim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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