[Kenwood] Kenwood TS-130S

[Steve]

At 02:08 PM 7/4/2010, David C. Hallam wrote:
>I need to replace the dial light in my VFO 120S.  Is it straight forward
>job or is there something I should know before I start?

The VFO dial light is easy. Using the proper hex wrench, remove the 
four hex screws holding the VFO into the front panel, then very 
gently pull it out. Unplug the two cables plugged into the VFO. 
Notice that the dial light, mounted right behind the front dial, has 
its own cable; unplug that using long small needle nose pliers. Now, 
you need to find appropriate bulbs; they run on 12V but since most 
power supplies put out more like 13.8 or even higher, the bulbs burn 
out after tens or several hundred hours. So the thing to do is 
install a resistor in series with the new bulb to drop the voltage slightly.

The other problem is the bulbs aren't available from KW. However, I 
found suitable replacements at Radio Shack; a package of 3 colored 
bulbs small enough to fit into the grommet on the VFO. To remove the 
coloring, simply wipe the bulbs with alcohol; it comes right off. Cut 
the wires to the old bulb right at the bulb. Connect one to the new 
bulb and use heatshrink or electrical tape to insulate it. Now try 
using different resistors to drop the voltage until the bulb is just 
bright enough for you. Remember the resistor is going to dissipate 
heat; it can run warm but shouldn't be allowed to run hot enough to 
burn you. Solder the resistor in place, insulate the joints then 
reinstall the bulb. Note that the new bulb will probably be smaller 
than the grommet; in that case, you can use tape to hold the wires of 
the bulb to the bracket. Look through the VFO dial and move the bulb 
around for best illumination. DO NOT allow the bulb to come within 
1/8" of the dial, and preferably further away.... these bulbs get hot 
enough to burn the VFO dial plastic.

Replacing the meter bulb is trickier; you have to remove the top 
cover. It is just barely possible to pull out the old bulb from the 
back of the meter. Again, when you install the new bulb, make sure it 
doesn't contact the meter's plastic case or it'll melt it. Be sure to 
use a resistor to drop the voltage as you did with the VFO bulb but 
it may not be the same value as you may find the meter can be a bit 
dimmer than the VFO bulb and still be satisfactory.

Steve, K0XP