[Kenwood] Kenwood TS-130S

[David C. Hallam]

Thanks for the information, Steve.  I was hope replacing the bulb 
wouldn't be one of those "why did I ever start this" jobs.  I have some 
14V 40mA T-1 bulbs I bought from All Electronics, 3/$1.

David
KW4DH

On 7/4/2010 11:35 PM, Steve wrote:
> 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
>
>
>