5065e instrument panel fogs up

[Rmiked]

I have a 2012 5065e. My original instrument panel fogged up early on. When exposed to sunlight or humidity drop it seemed to clear up. I could always see the instruments (tach, fuel level, coolant temp, etc). Eventually my tachometer quit working. The dealer service tech said the failure was the tachometer on the instrument panel. It was replaced and it works fine. After 3 months the panel is fogging up again. My tractor is always under a roof, not exposed to rain or sun. Has anyone experienced their instrument panel fogging up? Is is normal or is the water vapor entering the panel and condensing on the inside abnormal and what leads to instrument failure? I do not want to replace the panel until something fails. But the warranty on the part is 1 year according to service Mgr. Any advice is appreciated? My fear is that they are just not sealed from the factory. I am 2 for 2 on not being sealed. I just do not know what is normal. Given the fact that my tractor is a Tier 2 machine without the LCD display (my hour meter is analog wheels that rotates) I am thinking sealing the panel is not as critical. But my tachometer did fail.

 

[TractorGuy]

My advise is to notify the dealer ASAP if it has a warranty on the part.

My 4310 panel has always fogged up after it gets warmed up. Supposedly John Deere corrected the issue by adding a coating to the inside of the glass. When I first bought my tractor (used) the glass was so obscured you couldn't hardly see the instruments. When I took it apart it had a gooey film on the inside which I assumed was this coating. I cleaned it off with some carb cleaner and it cleaned up spotless but after that it started the fogging after warmed up. More recently my temperature gauge has failed so I have an aftermarket instrument panel ordered. The factory panel is $900.

 

[Notforhire]

I had issues with my 5055e panel fogging up too. Always stored indoors, minimum rain exposure. Dealer wasn't much help. I had it eight years and the instruments continued to work. Of course I can't say that yours will do the same.

 

[Rmiked]

My original instrument panel worked for 7 years and then tachometer failed. A new panel fixed the tach. The new one is fogging up after 3 months. Dealer is willing to replace panel again under new part warranty. If the instrument panels are not manufactured in a humidity free environment and sealed, they can fog up when the temperature of the air inside is below the dew-point temperature of the air inside the panel. I do not mind the mind fogging as I can always read the instruments. But if the moisture leads to an instrument failure (like my tachometer) I would like it replaced. I am not sure these panels are sealed or manufactured in a humidity free environment. So I can not know if they will all fog up or if it is possible to eliminate the problem.

 

[beenthere]

Frustrating problem.. my 4300 fogged up within the first year ('98) and the dealer replaced the panel.. replacement was good for several years, but now if I work the tractor for any length of time it will fog up but not as bad.. always seemed to me there should be air movement through this panel for air exchange.. but don't know.
Seldom caught in the rain, always shedded, never pressure washed.. so mystery that deserves some Deere attention.

 

[country101]

My 2016 ft4 5065e fogs. I've had it a year, bought used, and it has always fogged. I can always read the panel well enough, though it is frustrating.

 

[Rmiked]

Wow. Seems my experience is not unique. My tractor is always under a roof, never exposed to rain or sun except for few times I have been plowing, bush-hogging in light rain. Never been pressure washed also. My Regional Service Mgr is very helpful and said Deere is seeing many instances in the field also. And they think the problem is open penetrations on back of panel. He said the panels often have unused penetrations on the back needing to be plugged with unwired plastic plug connectors or sealed with Silicone. I gave that feedback to the tech (very helpful) that replaced my panel and he said mine had no unused penetrations on the back. I am leaning toward replacing my 3 month old instrument panel since it is still under warranty. Somewhat hesitant though since it is possible to break some plastic clips and connectors removing the black bezel trim piece around the panel. I guess that would be covered by warranty as well. I don’t mind the fogging as long as no instruments fail and I can read them. This seems to be a design shortcoming. I love my tractor as it is strong and heavy and does what it is supposed to do well. This issue is just a nuisance. The Regional Service Mgr described it as a “customer satisfaction” issue. But Deere , evidenced by Regional Service Mgr, is sensitive to the issue. My Regional Service Mgr just bought a 3046R and said if his instrument panel fogged up it would not meet his expectations. I like that attitude.

 

[oosik]

The instrument panel on my Kubota M6040( 2009 ) has never fogged. I routinely hose it down with garden hose & nozzle while hosing the rest of the tractor. Must be adequately sealed.

However - I have quit doing the same to my brand new JD X570 riding mower. The panel fogged and only cleared after mowing for a couple hours.

I guess it would be best, in my case, to quit hosing down any instrument panel. It just as easy to wipe the panels with a slightly damp shop rag.

Both my tractor & riding mower are under cover when not in use.

Our humidity varies wildly here. Some mornings it will be 6% to 10%. This morning its 54%.

Our outside temp is 50F @ 5:20 am and is headed to 100F late this afternoon.

 

[Rmiked]

Sounds like the Kubota is sealed, Deere perhaps not. If it is is sealed the humidity in the area should not matter as the water vapor inside the sealed panel can not change. However if the panel was sealed with some water vapor in the air sealed inside, then all you need is a temperature drop of the air inside the panel , to the dew point temperature of that humidity of air. If the panel had a sealed port (nozzle) on it they could pull a vacuum on the that air and refill with nitrogen (non-condensible gas) to assure no fogging. This is a technique used in making binoculars and rifle scopes. They may not have a port on them but assemble them such that no water vapor is trapped inside, then purged with nitrogen. When mine fogs and I drive it exposed to sunlight, the air heats up inside panel which increases it capacity to hold water vapor (invisible gas) and fogging clears. That means either is is not sealed (humidity changes with environment) or it was manufactured with water vapor trapped inside. If I knew my panel had water vapor trapped inside and was sealed I would not replace my 3 month old new panel because the fogging will never go away.

 

[beenthere]

Rmiked
Good point..

I am leaning toward replacing my 3 month old instrument panel since it is still under warranty. Somewhat hesitant though since it is possible to break some plastic clips and connectors removing the black bezel trim piece around the panel.

I discovered some broken plastic tabs that were caused by the Deere shop techs when my instrument panel was replaced. But long enough time that I just patched them up with some epoxy and fiberglass and noted that they just are not as careful doing such work as I expect them to be. A risk we take..sorry to say.