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Well, it's a bodge....but not too hateful as bodges go, IMO.
None of my (several) trip computers are working fully or correctly. Not that big of a deal...but it would be nice if at least the clock would work on any of them. No luck.
Did lots of shopping around for clocks. Too much to choose from, lots of it very junky. Found something that looked decent on Ebay. By decent I mean good quality and not glitzy or silly; something in keeping with the existing appearance of the dashboard equipment.
Where to mount it?
Decided to simply gut the innards from one of my TCs and use the skeleton as a mounting panel for my new clock. Took just an hour or so with my Dremel tool and some small files. The 3 clock wires were spliced onto original TC connectors so it was plug-n-play.
Nice work Doug,
The only issue I have with my TC is that it is not bright enough to see easily in the daytime. Do you know of any way to make the display brighter? I think it dims when the headlights are turned on, but since I rarely drive it at night, it's the daytime brightness I'd like to improve.
Long ago on a Technics stereo with a dim display, I opened it and removed what appeared to be a smoked glass window in front of the display itself and Voila, instant massive improvement. Anyone tried to make these units brighter?
I pulled this clock out of a Jaguar at a salvage yard, I can't remember what model it was, but it was a 2008 Something, maybe X type. It works very simple, Hot and Ground to power the clock, one Hot for a light bulb. You press the buttons to adjust hours and minutes. Been thinking about eliminating the trip computer to install this clock but I need a fascia plate. Haven't got there yet. Eventually something will show up. The clock is very elegant. Could even be used as a Horn-Push-Emblem in the steering wheel !!
I’ve never liked the look and feel of the clock/trip computers they put in the Series III. The green buttons look so cheap and out of place with the rest of the interior. At least mine works and is still bright.
Jose, the clock you got looks exactly like the clock in my ‘02 XJR. I love that clock. It’s elegant, simple to use, and easy to read. And I love the Jaguar logo on it! :-)
I looked at those; yes, very elegant. In the end I decided the black digital was more in keeping with the 1980s flavor.
The mounting panel dilemma is where it gets tricky. You could weld-in some sheet metal and then cut a new opening to fit the new clock....but then you'd have to have the pane; re-veneered. Or cover it with black vinyl. Or something.
Or, seek out a center panel for a non-trip computer car. Hard to find these, especially in the USA....because none of the USA cars were so fitted. They had a small analog clock. The opening for the small clock could be enlarged, if needed. Or, keep the small analog clock....if the panel came with it and the clock is still working.
Doug, I have two Series 2 clocks too, but no wiring plugs for them so I've never been able to test them. One is missing parts so it is good for parts.
Danny, yes, that clock seems to be reliable too, and it appears to be very simple, being analog as opposed to digital. Reminds me of the clock in my '65 S type. I've never been a fan of those Trip computers, I find them useless and agree they do not match the interior of the Series 3.
The round clock shown above is just like my 07 VDP, love it. My 79 series III (one of the early ones) does not have a trip computer and has a very nice and very dependable square analog clock in the middle of the switch panel where the leaper is in the later series IIIs. Only two problems with it. I have to have the car in gear in order to turn the adjusting knob and it tick tocks so loudly. Sounds like a grand father clock. Maybe that clock is a holdover from a series II? Would that switch panel fit a later series III or is there something behind the leaper emblem?
Doug, your solution looks perfect. I didn't even realize it wasn't stock until I started to read the accompanying text. Yes, it looks very 80s. Good job.
there is about 2.75" inches or better behind the leaper area, depth-wise. I can't remember exactly, maybe 3" inches.
I removed the leaper, cut an opening, and installed a E-type revolving-door ashtray which measures around 3" inches depth-wise and it worked out fine.
The ashtray has its own mini-leaper emblem. The hardest part was cutting that panel, it is super hard steel.
The display in my trip computer was rather dim, so I had a guy who knows his electrics open up the TC box and cut out the failing green bulb.
Said green bulb goes black with use / age.
In its place a modern green diode was inserted.
Now you could almost read the paper off of the light that is emitted from the panel! (Well, not quite, but you know what I mean :-) )
Time taken to complete this mission was about 10 minutes, and he was having lunch during the operation.
Trickiest and fiddliest bit was getting the three circuit boards lined up, attached and re inserted into the TC casing.
Cheers,
Nigel
Um, I did this a couple of years ago when I first bought my lovely XJ6.
I can't remember, exactly, but it was low resistance (ohms) and sourced from a local computer parts warehouse costing less than AU $1.
From memory, you don't want the 'loudest' diode, as mine wasn't, yet done again, I would look at less illuminating wattage.
Also, diodes are polarity sensitive, so if you wire them back to front, they don't work. Hint. One 'leg' is longer than the other, but off the top of my head I can't recall which one is neg or pos
Hi Jose, Um, I did this a couple of years ago when I first bought my lovely XJ6. I can't remember, exactly, but it was low resistance (ohms) and sourced from a local computer parts warehouse costing less than AU $1. From memory, you don't want the 'loudest' diode, as mine wasn't, yet done again, I would look at less illuminating wattage. Also, diodes are polarity sensitive, so if you wire them back to front, they don't work. Hint. One 'leg' is longer than the other, but off the top of my head I can't recall which one is neg or pos Cheers, Nigel
Nigel, do you mean a LED like in the picture? When I search for "green diode" all I get is one-way type of "resistors", non-illuminating.
The photo Jose posted above is what my 79 SIII clock looks like. I assume it is a hold over from an SII. Great clock but the tick tock is hypnotic.
Jeff
02-20-2019, 08:53 PM
Clock bodge
