[Kenwood] Re: bulb

[Bryan Swadener]

Walt W2EVU wrote:

> Does anyone know where I can find a grain of wheat bulb 14v
> @ 80ma.
> Kenwood's part number is B30-0817-15?
> 
> Walt W2EVU

Hi Walt,

Try your local well-stocked hobby store.  I've been using them for 20+ years in my TS120S & TS130S rigs -- they last one to three years before one burns out (I leave the rig on).

They're typically rated 10K hours (1.14 years) of continuous use.  Heating-cooling cycles and over-current operation reduce the lifetime considerably.  An inrush current limiter (regulator) would extend the lifetime.  I'm thinking of using an LM317L as a current regulator.

73,
Bryan WA7PRC