[ICOM] Re: Availability of lamp parts for IC-375A

[STeve Andre']

On Monday 14 February 2005 23:37, Michael P. Olbrisch wrote:
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: icom-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> > [mailto:icom-bounces at mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of STeve Andre'
> > Sent: Monday, February 14, 2005 3:34 PM
> > To: 'ICOM Reflector'
> > Subject: [ICOM] Re: Availability of lamp parts for IC-375A
> >
> >
> >    My 375A and 575H seem to have developed a problem with some
> > of the front panel lamps.  I suppose this is only reasonable given
> > their age.
>
> I have found that the cheap radio shack replacements are just that, cheap.
> They didn't last very long.  Even replacing them all every time one went, I
> probably didn't save much over the price of quality ICOM lamps.
>
> HOWEVER...
>
> I got a great deal on E-Bay.  I bought 60 Super-bright White LEDs for $15.
> I took a few to work and played with them on the bench.  I didn't like the
> focus.  And they were too big for some of the radios.
>
> I played some more.  I found that if you carefully worked the LED shell on
> a fine grinding wheel, it could be ground into a small enough size to fit
> anything.  Also, by grinding the lens flat, the focus was very broad.  So I
> have ground a number of them to just about the size if the bulbs, in an
> octagon shape.  BTW, the opaque finish the grinder leaves on the plastic
> seems to diffuse the light almost perfectly.  I use a 560 ohm 1/4w resistor
> to do the voltage drop.
>
> So far I have replaced the ALL the lamps in my IC-820, IC-PS30, IC-R9000,
> and Yaesu Satellite rotor controller.  I am quite pleased with the outcome.
> I will continue to replace the bulbs with the LEDs in every radio as one
> bulb fails.
>
> Yes, it is a lot of work.  But it is work that I will do once, and never
> again.  I can deal with that.
>
> Mike.  KD9KC
> El Paso, TX.

Thats a cute trick--I hadn't thought of that.  I think I know exactly where 
you bought them; I got 60 as well, to play with lighting.

In the case of my x75 series radios however, I think I'll keep to the
original lamps.  This gets into stupid esthetics issues but I like the
kinda odd yellowish/orange color the front panel has.

For other things I'll remember this.  It's a *great* idea, because chances
are they'll never have to be replaced.

I guess I'll go ahead and get the replacements from Icom.

--STeve Andre'
wb8wsf