Last bit of dash

 There is one last bit of dashboard work that I need to do, and that's switches. Most of the switches are dealt with by the column stalks, so that's indicators and lights. What's missing is the fog light and the hazard light switches.

As with everything I do, I started out really complex. I had in mind that I needed IVA compatible switches that illuminate with the correct colour and symbol. Of course, in reality I didn't need it to be like that!

First thing, IVA. This is actually a simple fix, I just need to make sure the switches are in the exempt zone, which is 127mm outside of the steering wheel. Given that is pretty close to the side of the car it means I can put the switches anywhere on the right hand side panel. Which is actually where I wanted them for aesthetic reasons, it means that once again I'm able to keep the dash as clean as possible. Staying within the exempt zone means that I can go with pretty toggle switches rather than dumpy IVA friendly ones. 

Second, illumination. I thought that they both have to have tell-tales associated with the switch, but they don't. They only need tell-tales 'somewhere'. Well, on the MX5 the hazard flasher actually triggers the left and right direction indicators which is a valid tell-tale for IVA. Similar with fog light, I've already incorporated a warning light into my dash lights so I don't actually need to do anything more. Obviously the correct colour and symbol has already been covered.

The only requirement now is that the switches are correctly labelled. At the moment I'm thinking of taking inspiration from my existing lights;

This is a set of seven inline. If I use the same design but aim for a '2x2' pattern, it means I could have the toggle switches in the bottom two, and them symbols in the top two. I wouldn't have the symbols looking the same as these, I'm possibly thinking white symbols on a black background would be best. What I'd do is print an inverted image on to acetate, then paint the back of the image with Tipp-ex to expose the white symbol.  

It does mean I still need to find some attractive toggle switches, which is actually proving to be quite challenging. It's not as if they need to be complex like on other cars, even the hazard switch is just a single pole to ground. The flasher unit deals with the complexity. 

And I do need to get some perspex or similar, that would allow me to finish the dash. I seem to remember hobbycraft do smaller sheets, the DIY places do panels suitable for greenhouses etc which are just too big.