Trundling slowly ever forward.
Wired up the dash, the dash will be removable just by disconnecting a number of connectors.
It's got one connector/mini-loom for backlighting, one for the "gauges" then the warning lights are split in two lots. Earth to light and power to light. Finally the hazard warning light has it's own mini-loom (as it has an inordinate number of connections!)
This then let me test some lights. Ignore the wonky angles, they're all coming out again before I "place" them permanently.
"Earthed" first.
"Powered" #1
"Powered" #2
Also let me test the "backlights" which highlighted somewhat of a problem.
I'm not sure there is anything I can do about the Smiths tacho, the backlight just seems to be utterly shit on it. Even shining an insanely bright torch in and it barely shows any light. The backlights on the smaller gauges were different colours because I bought them at different times and they're a mix of bulb and LED. I'll need to sort that.
Because the tacho backlight is so poor I broke out the backlight into three, one constant 12v for the speedo (programmatically dimmable), one for the tacho and another for all the gauges that I can build in either a rheostat or a PWM circuit (depending on if I go LED or bulbs) to dim the 52mm gauges to the same brightness.
The switch panels then are also removable via individual connectors.
I used 2.8mm multi-way connecters throughout from here
https://www.3waycomponents.co.uk/Automotive-Connectors/2.8mm-Mini-Connectors different colours and or sizes for each.
They're also the same type typically used on older motorbikes up to the 90's. They're perfect for the low ampage stuff although I struggled to find an actual rating I did find somewhere that said 6A, to put that into perspective that would be enough for a headlight bulb and more than plenty for the minor amps required for the dash.
They're not waterproof but if you're getting water into the area behind the dash you've got bigger problems!
I also sanded the vent holes out until the balls fitted. I need to bond in some screws for those, I bought some Tee nuts for that, they're the type typically used in wood but I'll use them in reverse and put some fibreglass over them to hold everything securely.