360 dash lights

While most of the info on this thread is way over my head, I’m curious if there’s any new info on obtaining inverters and transformers so someone else can install them, as Eric suggested in another thread of mine that the dim-but-still-working EL panel in my car is more likely due to a failing inverter and transformer vs the film itself failing.

 

You can buy a cheap inverter to test your electroluminescent panel : https://www.amazon.com/NOVOCE-Supply-Inverter-Electroluminescent-Meters/dp/B0BNXGNYJG/ref=sr_1_6?crid=3QNDCDE84846G&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.HDSz-43B2ZZ9HbilWVnrYs2pr6ceJZZxILVI9FKrdURot7sEhqJkpfHGyS-r2OdaUPaEfWUi-gigGjwmppKP7wpb4rqn44eQqtwy3sBkyUirtPzlk9Zr2PmOX2XBDRdI.NumzM8kGdihONbp6Ef9qer4LNSzWjRFupo_xIalEzZk&dib_tag=se&keywords=electroluminescent+DC+12+V+CC&qid=1751565334&sprefix=electroluminescent+dc+12+v+cc%2Caps%2C147&sr=8-6

If your panel is OK , installing such an inverter in the dash (it can fit once the plastic case is removed) to replace a failed OEM inverter makes sense as the repair could be much more expensive provided one can find the transformer.

 

So pardon my ignorance, but with the inverter you linked, I would connect the connector to the EL panel, and connect the + and - leads to a 12V source, (such as the mini 12v battery I used to power the ECU’s while installing the Trev tune), and it would either light up or not?

I do have a lead on a transformer from here: https://www.sierraic.com/YN92280
I haven’t head back from them yet regarding my quote though, so I can’t say for sure if they have them available.

 

Would this product do the same thing?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D83W2GTD/ref=sspa_mw_detail_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9kZXRhaWwp13NParams

 

Yes !

 

Yes, do that to check the EL panel before ordering a transformer.

 

So, I ordered 3 different inverters… cuz why not?
My plan is to connect -but not fully install- the replacement backlight I already bought. If it has the same level of light as the original one (aka dim), then I’ll connect each of them to the inverter to see if they both produce the same level of (hopefully brighter) light.
If that’s the case, and my original panel gets restored to full brightness with the external inverter, then how do you recommend I hardwire it?

 

So here’s my first update: I disassembled the cluster and top it down to the backlight. I plugged everything back in and took a picture of it illuminated while bare. I then removed it again and swapped on the new replacement backlight. I then plugged it back in and took a comparison pic.
I will withhold my opinion, and won’t identify which pic is before and after. I’m curious to see if anyone can tell which is which, or if anyone thinks there’s even a difference. I’ll also post a before pic of how the gauges looked while illuminated before removing them. This was in a closed garage, with overhead fluorescent lights on. The cluster was also removed from the hood and tilted upwards. In this scenario, they actually looked bright. Made me feel silly for even pursuing this. But while driving outside on a sunny day, with the cluster recessed under the hood, I can barely tell if they’re off or on.


Lastly, I could hear a hum from the cluster in the area of the inverter when the brightness was turned up to 30. If I put it to zero, the hum went away, and increased in volume in step with the light level as I went from 0 to 30. I’ve never noticed this while in driving the car, whether that’s because the car is so loud, or because the cluster was fully removed from the dash, disassembled and sitting 10” from my face.

The external inverters will be arriving tomorrow, so I can do a side by side comparison test with the cluster vs the inverter with both panels illuminated at the same time, and then I can swap panels and power sources in real time. That should asneer all my questions.

I’ll then report back and seek further advice if I need assistance in permanently installing one of the new inverters in place of the unobtanium factory piece.

Thanks!
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That looks pretty normal to me. Comparing the gages illumination with the needles illumination, done by a different system (green LEDs), I can't see an evident problem on your car. This illumination system is not designed to be visible when driving outside on a sunny day !
A slight hum coming from the inverter is also normal.

 

Well that’s disappointing
I’ll compare both side by side when in the inverters arrive anyway, since everything’s already disassembled at this point. I had been going off of other people pictures, which appeared to have a much brighter glow, even in daylight images. Mine look basically the same, whether they’re on or off.
Will report back shortly.