I was asked today how many lorries, other than ERF, is it possible to turn off the dash illumination on other than the tacho head. I must say I couldn’t answer. Normally, I wouldn’t turn them off other than to save the battery when parked up on long-haul work waiting for customs and re-loads.
But then, I used to disconnect stuff. For example, I used to disconnect the cab-lights switch where it came on when you opened the doors, so that I could have the doors open during the day in hot countries like Morocco and Saudi. Does anyone know if other lorries had a switch to dim or disable the dashboard? Because just can’t remember! Robert
Albion Chieftain 1956
Dennis Pax 1956
Austin K4 1942
Foden all models
Bedford Jtype 1961
Guy Big J
AEC Mercury Mandator in fact all AEC models.
In fact all makes of lorries from the time dash lights were fitted until the tacho was used.
crowbar
crowbar:
Albion Chieftain 1956
Dennis Pax 1956
Austin K4 1942
Foden all models
Bedford Jtype 1961
Guy Big J
AEC Mercury Mandator in fact all AEC models.
In fact all makes of lorries from the time dash lights were fitted until the tacho was used.
crowbar
Yep, agree with that. Most BMC commercials were the same.
Was driving a SeddonAtki late 80s early 90s that could switch panel lights off and tacho stayed lit. One or two drivers defected for no panel lights because they didn’t know about the switch. The Albion Chieftain had a dimmer switch.
I also had a Ford Zodiac that had a switch that turned the panel lights off and also the nearside and number plate lights and it was not possible to start the engine.
I suppose that you can still turn them off on most cars, certainly both my Volvo and Peugeot have that function? I seem to remember a local haulier having an ex military cab fitted to his Clydesdale and ALL dash lights (oil, ignition etc) could be switched off on that.
flishflunk:
Was driving a SeddonAtki late 80s early 90s that could switch panel lights off and tacho stayed lit. One or two drivers defected for no panel lights because they didn’t know about the switch. The Albion Chieftain had a dimmer switch.
I also had a Ford Zodiac that had a switch that turned the panel lights off and also the nearside and number plate lights and it was not possible to start the engine.
Hiya this idea by Ford was the law you needed lights on all night. the larger Ford range you turned on a switch and moved
the indicator to the right and the side lights would come on the drivers side. as you say the engine didn’t start then.
John
Dan Punchard:
Could the dash light switch date back to the days when it was the done thing to drive on side lamps in town in the dark ?
And in the country on those bright, moonlit nights in summer. I believe it was a habit harking back to the days of 6- and 12-volt lighting on commercials, when you did all you could to save the battery. I still think of those days when I notice modern drivers starting their engines with the headlights on. Back in the day they would have been asking for a tow a couple of minutes later!
I should be so lucky, my old Albion doesn’t have any dash lights to turn off! And I well remember as a nipper in the early '50s riding about with father at night by the light of the moon, on sidelights only, saving the 6 volt battery on his O type Bedford. I can also clearly remember one night coming back with him from Portsmouth to London in a diesel BMC as late as the the '60s, 12 volt now, but still sidelights all the way. Old habits die hard, I suppose he got in the habit driving through the blackout in WW2.
Bernard
Hey Robert, most had a dash light switch before the '80’s and a dimmer from then on.
The same for inlights cab most had a zero position and lots haden’t even a door switch if the doors opened.
I think Robert that you are getting …
Have experience with that too
robert1952:
I was asked today how many lorries, other than ERF, is it possible to turn off the dash illumination on other than the tacho head. I must say I couldn’t answer. Normally, I wouldn’t turn them off other than to save the battery when parked up on long-haul work waiting for customs and re-loads.
But then, I used to disconnect stuff. For example, I used to disconnect the cab-lights switch where it came on when you opened the doors, so that I could have the doors open during the day in hot countries like Morocco and Saudi. Does anyone know if other lorries had a switch to dim or disable the dashboard? Because just can’t remember! Robert
Seddon Atkinson 301/401 I’m not too sure about earlier models
Most modern cars and trucks have a switch you can adjust panel lights down to nothing the freightliner i drove in canafa had an on off panel light switch.
as for the cars with the single sidelight function all the german cars ive owned have left the sidelight on if you switch the car off with the idicator on
