New Sea Ray dash text back light

[paulswagelock]

My 2018 has the text in the dash back lit so you can read it at night.
There are two areas of the dash with this lighting. This past weekend I noticed the one side is not working. I looked into the access panel and there appears to be a light that looks like a wire taped to the dash panel behind the text using a dark foil like tape. The light is 4" long maybe, and from what I can see, looks like the diameter of a 14 gauge wire and is bendable as they outlined the dash panel where the text is.

Anyone know what this light (bulb) is? Need some direction so I can understand what it is to see how to troubleshoot. It is cramped access so I do not want to go rip the tape and light filament out. I want to try to do it myself as the dealer is not readily accessible and it is a minor issue.

 

[superwa]

My 2001 has the same set up. Didn’t realize that they still do this. I’d love to replace it for something brighter. Mine is a green wire duct tape behind the panel.

 

[paulswagelock]

After looking at some photos I researched, I think it is EL wire, because I think I saw the inverter for 12v to 100V back there. Any one know for sure?

 

[superwa]

That is interesting. Saw online that they can be replaced with laser wire, which is brighter and needs less load. I’m going to look into that.

 

[dwna1a]

EL wire is very pricey! I looked into it awhile back. Even the old classics have it.

My plan is to use a LED chip wired to my gauge lighting.

 

[Creekwood]

It is EL wire. Others have rewired to 12v LED strip lighting, but you need to replace the dimmer too. You bypass the 12v to 100v transformer and wire to LED strips. Or You can use the colour changing strips with a remote and have some fun with differing backlight colors too. Then the dimmer is on the remote.