Gamin's Nuvi 5000 was primarily aimed at the US SUV and truck cab markets.
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Has all the options i wanted, and after much searching managed to pick one up, BNIB, but very old stock.
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![Image](http://www.sbits.net/noble/nuvi5000.jpg)
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Plugged it in, got free update from the installed 2009
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maps to current FOC.
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Also picked up a 2nd one as a spare off ebay.com.
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Then spent a whole evening designing and uploading a boot screen, and learned how to dismantle the unit to remove the front bezel:
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![Image](http://www.sbits.net/noble/nuvi_boot.jpg)
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Got hold of external GPS receiver and external speaker.
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The original dash panel was a bit pants from the outset:
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![Image](http://www.sbits.net/noble/old_dash_panel.jpg)
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And was never going to cater for my plans.
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So i had a new one made in autoclaved, pre-preg carbon.
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1.5mm thick and weighs less than 100g.
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Not cheap at
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£300 but exactly what i wanted.
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![Image](http://www.sbits.net/noble/new_dash_panel.jpg)
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So now to design the layout.
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I didn't want any toggle or rocker switches, so decided on momentary push button switches.
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Large internally illuminated for main circuits, and smaller ones for dash programming.
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Using resistors and diodes, the illumination of each switch will have two levels, one for when lights are on, and a brighter one for when circuit is switched on.
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Found a manufacturer of the switches in Canada.
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More expensive than the Chinese copies on ebay, but worth the extra money.
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Sorted a latching relay for each of the 5 main circuits:
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![Image](http://www.sbits.net/noble/relays.jpg)
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Engine start button is courtesy of Silver Horse Racing in USA.
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Made in the USA, and a Ford approved accessory:
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![Image](http://www.sbits.net/noble/start_button.jpg)
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A CarTek electronic battery master cut out switch and a Lifeline electrical extinguisher switch will complete the dash furniture.
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The dash layout design was done in Photoshop.
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Once happy, i reproduced the layout on graph paper.
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The whole lot was sent off to the only carbon fibre specialists i will use, Reverie, for routing out.
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As expected, the result is perfect:
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![Image](http://www.sbits.net/noble/panel_routed.jpg)
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The dash is going to be printed, so i had Reverie flat off the panel ready for printing.
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To ensure no ill effects from the final lacquer reacting with the printing ink, several samples will be printed on a piece of waste carbon and sent to Reverie for lacquering.
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Once i have the results, the dash will be printed.
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Meanwhile, onto the design of the wiring.
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This is going to invlove a complete rewiring of the dash loom.
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The Noble spade plugs/sockets will be dumped in favour of Deutsch plugs, the standard plug in all forms of motorsport.
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Two reasons: reliability and pin density.
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Deutsch pins are individually machined, and use a special tool to create 4 crimps around the pin.
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The only way to guarantee every crimp is perfect is to use the correct tool, so
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£200 lighter, and here it is:
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![Image](http://www.sbits.net/noble/hdt048.jpg)
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Plugs and pins have been ordered.
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Off to see the printer later this week.
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