370 AC Helm Switch Panel

[Rob S]

I have a 1997 370 AC. Am upgrading the electronics. While under the dash, (do they call it a dash), I notice metal strips from EL Tech taped to the back of the switch panel above and below each row of switches. These strips are fed with + and - by very small gauge wires at one end of each strip and all strips are paralleled. Can some one tell me the purpose of these?

 

[Nauti-Kal]

Those are the back strip light that light up the dash switches when you have your running lights on

 

[Creekwood]

I have a 1997 370 AC. Am upgrading the electronics. While under the dash, (do they call it a dash), I notice metal strips from EL Tech taped to the back of the switch panel above and below each row of switches. These strips are fed with + and - by very small gauge wires at one end of each strip and all strips are paralleled. Can some one tell me the purpose of these?

They are 110v Electro luminescent strips, and there is a dimmer on the panel and a 12vDC to 110vAC transformer under the dash to power them. If they still work, I have found the best way to re-attach them is to use aluminum duct tape over the top to replace the old stuff. Alternatively, you can replace them and rewire with 12v color changing LED strips with a remote.