Keeping instrument cluster cool

[Paul2020]

Am wondering what, if anything 7G Mustang owners are doing to keep the instrument cluster cool.(mine has the 1 long cluster)

I'm in Oz in Brisbane, it gets hot & humid here, even now in spring & come summer in December.
Was 38c / 100.4f the other day.

While I didn't go out that day, other days the cluster gets quite hot while driving. I can put my hand on the back of it but not for too long.

Some of my past cars I have had dash mats but even when you lift them the dash is quite hot.

Also wonder what these clusters will be like in 5 or 6 years time when exposed to the heat, can see them cracking & components failing.

(apologies if thread already for this, I did search before posting)

Thanks for any advice.

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[Skye]

I've thought of two ideas.

1. Ceramic tint across the windshield. In the US, tint across the windshield is often illegal. But it can be purchased in shades that are 70 and 80%. It'll help keep the area cooler than it normally would be. Consider tint in the other windows as well.

2. When parked, a sunscreen across the windshield, reflecting light outwards and away from the interior.

Long-term heat soak is a legitimate concern. We're in a new era. I don't think any of these have been around long enough to give an answer. Previous generations were often smaller and not in direct contact with the light. I have read several manufacturers are using heat sinks in their screen enclosures, but since they themselves are often masked by an outside facade, it leaves me wondering of their effectiveness.

I haven't noticed on the 7G cars, but if there are engineered holes or gaps which allow excess heat to vent up and out the enclosure, that'd be a plus.

 

[rugedraw]

1. Ceramic tint across the windshield. In the US, tint across the windshield is often illegal. But it can be purchased in shades that are 70 and 80%. It'll help keep the area cooler than it normally would be. Consider tint in the other windows as well.

This. A neutral tint on the front windshield is awesome. I will never own another vehicle without it.

 

[AZ_Ryan]

A sunshade is standard issue here in Arizona. A very light ceramic tint on the windshield helps cut heat significantly.

I've seen a cover for sale online. I think Roush? But it didn't look great and cost 1k.

People also need to understand that some of that heat is generated by the electronics themselves. So there is no perfect solution.

 

[Paul2020]

Thanks for the replies.
It's illegal to tint the windscreen here but will check out a neutral tint.
I always use my sunshade while it parked.

It really needed an ac vent or at least a vent that air can get to it.

A lot of cars now have the same style so be interesting to see how they go over time.

 

[AZ_Ryan]

Thanks for the replies.
It's illegal to tint the windscreen here but will check out a neutral tint.
I always use my sunshade while it parked.

It really needed an ac vent or at least a vent that air can get to it.

A lot of cars now have the same style so be interesting to see how they go over time.

The screen on my wife's Hyundai gets pretty warm to. I think the best option is a neutral tint.

 

[Dodo Mustang]

I've thought of two ideas.

1. Ceramic tint across the windshield. In the US, tint across the windshield is often illegal. But it can be purchased in shades that are 70 and 80%. It'll help keep the area cooler than it normally would be. Consider tint in the other windows as well.

2. When parked, a sunscreen across the windshield, reflecting light outwards and away from the interior.

Long-term heat soak is a legitimate concern. We're in a new era. I don't think any of these have been around long enough to give an answer. Previous generations were often smaller and not in direct contact with the light. I have read several manufacturers are using heat sinks in their screen enclosures, but since they themselves are often masked by an outside facade, it leaves me wondering of their effectiveness.

I haven't noticed on the 7G cars, but if there are engineered holes or gaps which allow excess heat to vent up and out the enclosure, that'd be a plus.

I live in Korea, and Korea is fairly lenient about full window tinting. To cut to the chase, tinting doesn't help much with heat management. It's not the sun beating down; it's the heat radiating from the dashboard that gets too hot.

 

[AZ_Ryan]

I live in Korea, and Korea is fairly lenient about full window tinting. To cut to the chase, tinting doesn't help much with heat management. It's not the sun beating down; it's the heat radiating from the dashboard that gets too hot.

Yeah. I drove home yesterday and tested mine. I had a sunshade up and was parked facing away from the sun when I got in. A few minutes into my ride i felt the back of the screen and it got hot really fast. It's definitely the electronics more than the sun. I'd think covering them with anything would make it worse.

 

[LouG]

It's like those space heaters aka OLED TV's

 

[owlhoot]

I live in Korea, and Korea is fairly lenient about full window tinting. To cut to the chase, tinting doesn't help much with heat management. It's not the sun beating down; it's the heat radiating from the dashboard that gets too hot.

This is my take on it

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