Clarion radio illumination

MikeT · Post by **MikeT** » 23 Jul 2010, 10:00

Has anyone replaced the illumination LED's on a Clarion unit?

The left side of mine remains dark when the rest is lit. I've pulled the front panel off and there's only five LED's in total (ignoring the red one) but they appear to have a rubberised green coating. Can they be replaced?

MikeT · Post by **MikeT** » 02 Aug 2010, 10:35

No-one done this before?

The LED's appear to have a sort of rubber covering which don't seem to want to pull off. Resoldering new LED's seems possible.

Trainman · Post by **Trainman** » 02 Aug 2010, 10:44

Mike,

Vaguely remember doing something like this, many years ago, If I'm right, there a little rubber caps over the bulbs, and you can replace the bulbs, I think I got them from Tandy, but I suppose somewhere like Maplin would have something similar.

As I say a vague recollection.

MikeT · Post by **MikeT** » 02 Aug 2010, 11:29

Hi Steve,

Is it a matter of just pulling the rubber off then? I don't want to use too much force in case of damaging them.

EDIT: And are they LED's or filament bulbs?

red_dwarfers · Post by **red_dwarfers** » 02 Aug 2010, 12:06

MikeT wrote:Hi Steve,

Is it a matter of just pulling the rubber off then? I don't want to use too much force in case of damaging them.

EDIT: And are they LED's or filament bulbs?

If they are anything like the Blaupunkt's they are filament. I would have thought they were as LED's don't really fail do they?

MikeT · Post by **MikeT** » 02 Aug 2010, 13:11

Yep, they're filament and the rubber covers are glued (or melted) onto the bulbs. I can't see any markings so no idea what voltage they need.

Ideally, I should replace them all, preferably with LED's.

argopanos · Post by **argopanos** » 02 Aug 2010, 13:20

they cannot be replaysted by led because they are 12v.

MikeT · Post by **MikeT** » 02 Aug 2010, 13:55

argopanos wrote:they cannot be replaysted by led because they are 12v.

Thanks for letting me know the voltage!

MikeT · Post by **MikeT** » 02 Aug 2010, 18:08

They are very small and I have no idea where I could source replacements, particularly as I don't know the ratings or even what to ask for!

Trainman · Post by **Trainman** » 02 Aug 2010, 18:48

Trainman wrote: I think I got them from Tandy, but I suppose somewhere like Maplin would have something similar.

Post by **CitroJim** » 02 Aug 2010, 19:44

Mike, I'm sure if you search the web you'll find something very like you need. Small wire-ended bulbs used to be used in many equipments back along. I must have replaced hundreds upon hundreds over the course of my career.

I'd be inclined to try replacing them with LEDs. 12V LEDS may now be available as an (almost) direct replacement, otherwise use normal LEDS and series resistors. Don't forget LEDs are polarity conscious.

MikeT · Post by **MikeT** » 03 Aug 2010, 09:59

Trainman wrote:
Trainman wrote: I think I got them from Tandy, but I suppose somewhere like Maplin would have something similar.

Sorry, no offence Steve. I did read this but don't know what to ask for specifically. We don't have a local Tandy and previous visits to Maplins to ask for advice has proved fruitless as they're all school leavers with no technical knowledge and unable to make enquiries on customers behalf, even if said customer suggests it.

Jim, I scoured the 'bay and found several miniature bulbs for modelling etc.. with differing voltage and wattages - which do I need? Are they 12v? 1.2W?

I did think of replacing them with LED's but, as Toby reminded me recently, LED's have a very narrow beam (and also might not be effective for this application).

seisporting · Post by **seisporting** » 03 Aug 2010, 13:42

If you use led's you can put a dab of warm glue on end and it diffuses the light much better. I did the instruments in the Saxo same colour as VW's and it looked so much better. Clean bright blue and red.

MikeT · Post by **MikeT** » 03 Aug 2010, 14:25

I went to Halfords and Maplins just on the off-chance but, despite the best efforts by the kid at the components desk, I came away empty handed. Even the smallest LED's were twice the length of the original bulb and would have to be laid flat - unsuitable. The problem is lack of headroom to use alternatives. But even if found, I still don't know for sure the ratings (V,A or W) I'd need.

Post by **CitroJim** » 03 Aug 2010, 17:05

Mike,

Try the model railway people. These bulbs used to be used in model signals as I recall...