Lotus Elan Central

by **surfboardfiller** » Tue 15.11.2005, 23:35

I really want to get rid of my ariel! I thought of replacing it with an electric one, but what I'd really love is to replace it with a hidden one!

Any one done this already? or know anything about radio reception?

by **dans** » Tue 15.11.2005, 23:55

I got one of these for a Digital Radio, very small windscreen mounted aerial.
Can get the wires down the window pillar with the interior light wiring.
Looks very tidy.
Reception is ok, but not perfect, but this I'm not sure if that is just the DAB coverage in the UK.

No experience of these for standard analogue aerial, though a quick google showed this :?:

by **Sy V** » Wed 16.11.2005, 07:03

This may not stand up for DAB but, our ariel is effectively about four times its actual length because of the winding around the stalk.
The vast majority of ariels on cars depend on a degree of ground plane reflection given by the metal body which enhances reception.
GRP doesn't offer this bonus hence the wire winding, hence the need for our special ariel, hence the degraded reception of most (non-specifically designed) replacement units.

by **Nige** » Wed 16.11.2005, 15:43

Have digital radio in my car too and fitted one of these, the KF DAB version as it's also a wound AM/FM ariel and has a built in amplifier, it works well DAB and AM/FM.

by **dans** » Thu 17.11.2005, 11:38

Nige wrote:Have digital radio in my car too and fitted one of these, the KF DAB version as it's also a wound AM/FM ariel and has a built in amplifier, it works well DAB and AM/FM.

Sorry to crash this thread :wink:

.... but Nige, can I ask how much that was? How do you find DAB reception? and how did you find relaying the cable through the car?

Cheers,
Dan

by **Nige** » Thu 17.11.2005, 13:16

Dans,

Can't remember cost exactly but seem to recall it was about £100-£120 which is pricey but as a DAB/AM/FM ariel with a built in signal amplifier wasn't too bad. It's designed for a roof mount but I fitted it through the original ariel hole without difficulty, a bit of black silicone under the base ensured it was sealed. It doesn't sit square but leans back and to the offside but I'm happy with the way it looks.

Reception seems very good but is obviously dependant on DAB signal availability. I only seem to lose DAB in those areas where I wouldn't expect to get a good signal. The signal strength indicator on the head unit shows that I still get very good sound quality even at low signal strength.

Fitting it was a voyage of discovery but removing the centre console and the plastic base of the hoodstowage area gave enough access to make the job quite easy. The power for the amplifier in the ariel is no problem as there is already a feed to the stock ariel (I think, if not there is an available feed in the boot area) like all things Elan there was a certain amount of fiddling!

by **dans** » Fri 18.11.2005, 14:56

Cheers, for that. Think i'll stick with my £25 aerial for now then and see how it goes.

by **surfboardfiller** » Sun 20.11.2005, 16:20

Sy V wrote:...ariels on cars depend on a degree of ground plane reflection given by the metal body which enhances reception.
GRP doesn't offer this bonus ...

So I can have one hidden inside then!?

I still have to make the leap into the 21st Century DAB Technology so I guess now is a good time.

Nige,
I'm wondering if your aerial will work hidden in the bodywork. I guess it's a windscreen mount designed with metal cars in mind. Does it matter where you mount he aerial? I mean which direction it points in, maybe I could have it in the boot or hood compartment!?

Cheers...

by **lotusgirlmarie** » Mon 21.11.2005, 10:38

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/S2000-Fu ... 0831QQrdZ1

Not sure how much this will help the UK guys but this is similar to what I put on both Kejld's and my cars. So far its the best I've done for radio reception and it gives the car a much more modern look. The biggest advantage is I don't have to fill the old hole with bondo and fiberglass.

by **Nige** » Mon 21.11.2005, 11:38

Surfer,

The Ariel I have is not an internal fit so I don't expect it would work if it was inside. I went with for similar rasons to Marie. I needed a DAB ariel, already had one hole in the bodywork and didn't want another.

by **Stef** » Mon 21.11.2005, 13:39

Hi

I need a full original aerial if anyone has one going spare.

Where can you get them from anyway?

by **Nige** » Tue 22.11.2005, 13:06

The original ariel that came off my S2 will replace the tatty ariel on Norma so I don't have a spare, sorry. SJs have them listed but I don't know if they're available.

by **surfboardfiller** » Wed 23.11.2005, 20:53

Stef wrote:Hi

I need a full original aerial if anyone has one going spare.

Where can you get them from anyway?

I may have one when/if I get this project sorted (it's looking likely) but don't hold your breath.

by **Paul.P** » Fri 25.11.2005, 23:08

Stef, they were available from lotus on there special list, just ring any main dealer !

by **surfboardfiller** » Mon 09.10.2006, 21:37

Finally got this finished.

Filled the hole with glass mat and polyester resin having keyed the wall of the hole. I created a chamfer on the edge of the hole to blend into the surface of the bodywork.

I used fibrefill UV resin (surfboard repair resin) for the top layer so I could work it for as long as needed and when satisfied I exposed the panel to the sun for 10 mins to harden the resin.

I then filled and blended to the existing paintwork with P38, before having it spray-painted by a good painter.

Next is to have the other panels spray-painted! :-D

by **Candles** » Mon 09.10.2006, 22:32

That is a nice ass! Good work.

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