TheSamba.com :: View topic - New improved dash foil for '86

Tue Jan 04, 2022 11:34 am

Hello everyone,

I have redesigned the foil for the '86-'91 vanagon. As you are aware, the original VDO blue foils are becoming brittle and the copper has oxidized to the point where connections have become unreliable and even delaminating from the substrate. This new design uses far superior materials such as Kapton for the substrate and all connections are gold plated. All the components are surface mounted so no more of those crimped connections. These are prototypes and we will be testing shortly.

Tue Jan 04, 2022 11:39 am

Nice.

Tue Jan 04, 2022 11:51 am

This is great and I appreciate anyone doing something new and helpful to our community. Thank you!

I am curious what made you pursue this project given the current solutions out there?

Tue Jan 04, 2022 11:59 am

zimflux wrote: This is great and I appreciate anyone doing something new and helpful to our community. Thank you!

I am curious what made you pursue this project given the current solutions out there?

Cost is the biggest driver. Plus having the tools to design this. In the end, I wanted something that was "drop in" compatible.

Tue Jan 04, 2022 12:12 pm

now that is fucking rad!

i have the foil fix kit already installed which works fine, but what an ugly mess that thing is with the box and wires.

i really like this solution, and would buy one just to have on hand

Tue Jan 04, 2022 12:28 pm

skills@eurocarsplus wrote: now that is fucking rad!

i have the foil fix kit already installed which works fine, but what an ugly mess that thing is with the box and wires.

i really like this solution, and would buy one just to have on hand

Thanks. That is the other reason for doing this. A much cleaner installation.

Amber is the new blue!

Tue Jan 04, 2022 12:35 pm

If you have enough interest, which I am sure you will, what is the price range for something like this?

Tue Jan 04, 2022 12:43 pm

Franklinstower wrote: If you have enough interest, which I am sure you will, what is the price range for something like this?

I still need to work that out. I need to source the components and determine assembly time. In the end, I think you will be pleasantly surprised. I will post when I know.

Tue Jan 04, 2022 1:28 pm

As said before, Nice!

Tue Jan 04, 2022 1:37 pm

This is very cool. Thank you for doing the R&D you've done. I'll be interested to read further re: Kapton but it seems (Dupont ?) has improved it over the years.

Neil.

Tue Jan 04, 2022 2:08 pm

Pervious post disappeared.

Very nice work. I like especially the way you have used both sides to keep the electrons from having to wander halfway around the world so they could avoid crossing the other paths of some of their buddies.

And installation has to be far simpler than the "other stuff out there".

Congratulations, Duncan

Tue Jan 04, 2022 2:40 pm

Van Quality Parts in France already has these....
Yours sound better quality though....So many offers these days....

Tue Jan 04, 2022 2:43 pm

I'm in also and ready for the beta test program or waiting list. I have a small pile of clusters waiting to be repaired. great work. what line of work are you in that puts these tools at your disposal?

Tue Jan 04, 2022 3:08 pm

ALIKA T3 wrote: Van Quality Parts in France already has these...
Yours sound better quality though....So many offers these days...

Not quite the same. The French site seems to be offering (199 euro), foils pre 86, diesel and gas.

The new foil version is for 86 and newer, gas.

Alistair

Tue Jan 04, 2022 3:16 pm

Vanagon Nut wrote: This is very cool. Thank you for doing the R&D you've done. I'll be interested to read further re: Kapton but it seems (Dupont ?) has improved it over the years.

Neil.

Kapton is just DuPont's trade name for polyimide. And yes, one can call it a miracle material now. (Quoting someone else).

The base is Kapton and there are coverlays of Kapton over the copper and any exposed copper is gold plated

Tue Jan 04, 2022 3:21 pm

davideric9 wrote: I'm in also and ready for the beta test program or waiting list. I have a small pile of clusters waiting to be repaired. great work. what line of work are you in that puts these tools at your disposal?

I am an electronics systems designer. There will be other products coming but I will focus on this for at the moment

Tue Jan 04, 2022 3:42 pm

Geato wrote: davideric9 wrote: I'm in also and ready for the beta test program or waiting list. I have a small pile of clusters waiting to be repaired. great work. what line of work are you in that puts these tools at your disposal?

I am an electronics systems designer. There will be other products coming but I will focus on this for at the moment

Sweet! You get my vote for Vanagon Dude of the Year (so far :lol: ) I'd be up for one of those.

Tue Jan 04, 2022 4:50 pm

Geato wrote: Vanagon Nut wrote: re: Kapton but it seems (Dupont ?) has improved it over the years.
Kapton is just DuPont's trade name for polyimide. And yes, one can call it a miracle material now. (Quoting someone else).

The base is Kapton and there are coverlays of Kapton over the copper and any exposed copper is gold plated

Ah very good. I bet it will be quite robust. I'd be in for at least one.

Neil.

Tue Jan 04, 2022 5:52 pm

This is great to see! Can't wait to see it in action!

Tue Jan 04, 2022 7:35 pm

The French version is for 1.6 D and 1.9/2.0 from 1979 to 1985 only.