Clarion radio illumination

MikeT · Unread post by **MikeT** » 03 Aug 2010, 17:51

Hi Jim,

As I replied earlier, I found various on ebay aimed at modellers but what voltage/current do I get? I guess I'll have to start with 12v first.

Incidently, I had to buy another 286 today as, when fitted, the left indicator light had blown. I notice halfords do several - there's not only a choice of output, but colour too. Just as well they didn't have red - I counted no less than 30 bulbs in my instrument cluster.

Toby_HDi · Unread post by **Toby_HDi** » 03 Aug 2010, 18:16

Mike,

How about these?

Flat Top LED...Good light spread rather than a spot

Or...

12v LED...No messing with resistors but may suffer from too narrow a light output angle.

The spotting is mainly an issue with white and blue LEDs though I think, not so much the red or green ones.

I'm sure there are a few other options with Rapid that I've not come across yet.

MikeT · Unread post by **MikeT** » 03 Aug 2010, 19:04

Hi Toby,

The Maplins kid showed me their smallest LED (like those you've linked to) and it was twice the length of the bulb so it'll sit too proud as they are. Looking at the radio cover, the diffuser covers almost the whole panel evenly so maybe beam isn't such an issue?

But it's going to take a fair bit of experimenting to know, other than OE bulbs, what will work or not. Perhaps some colour-changing LED's would make a nice addition

Off-Topic;-

While I've got your attention, I'm pleased to state, although I've still got a lot to re-assemble, the car's now driveable again with the essentials all working ok so, barring passenger or load carrying, I can't see me needing the Activa again, thank you kindly, except...

I've just successfully rebooted the Diaxia into Lexia so can now plug in the Activa for a looksee and cleardown. You should be able to resume your Coupe investigations soon.

Toby_HDi · Unread post by **Toby_HDi** » 03 Aug 2010, 19:40

Ahh I see Mike, as you say spotting may not be an issue, in which case I spotted some miniature LEDs which may be suitable on the Rapid site. Either way, experimentation seems to be the way.

No problem Mike. I'll give you a ring tomorrow to see if you're about and see if we can get the Activa back here. Thanks for showing the Activa the Lexia, DIAG is not urgent, am sure its just the battery - of which I have a new one lined up.

MikeT · Unread post by **MikeT** » 13 Aug 2010, 13:20

To complete this thread, this is the solution that worked for me.

I bought a set of 10 green bulbs (12v 80mA) ebay item 380256724000 based purely on value for money.

They come with fly leads and insulation that needs to be carefully peeled back and removed to expose the original wire legs.

The two failed bulbs were replaced and testing in the dark last night showed they're just the ticket. In fact, I'm considering replacing the other three as these news ones are slightly brighter.

This means I'll have a complete set of five going spare if anyone needs/wants them for cost.

As a note of interest, these bulbs come in a variety of colours which, in hindsight, I should have chosen red to match the car's paint colour.

So now the heater panel bulbs are replaced along with the blown instrument panel bulbs, I've got a much brighter interior at night - no more groping in the dark trying to find the controls.

KP · Unread post by KP » 13 Aug 2010, 13:25

Just read the last post properly and good work Mike

nice little repair service from you now eh

MikeT · Unread post by **MikeT** » 13 Aug 2010, 15:03

Hi KP, I'm happy to replace bulbs for other forum members that aren't so confident in de-soldering/soldering etc. The control panel can easily be removed (four outer and eight inner screws) to keep the postage costs down if need be.

As I said, you can have them colour-coded too

Thanks.

Unread post by **Old-Guy** » 13 Aug 2010, 21:05

Whoa there! Going back to the picture posted - in the middle it shows 2 green LEDS and 5 switches (clearly labelled with their functions). If you pull the tops off the switches the radio won't work whatever form of illumination you replace them with. At the bottom of the picture, there is a further row of labelled switches. The light sources are elsewhere. I'd expect a miniature bulb at each side of the display and one has blown.

MikeT · Unread post by **MikeT** » 14 Aug 2010, 11:01

Just a few corrections if I may, Old-Guy? As revealed later in the thread, they are filament bulbs, not LED's, five in total for the whole front (excluding the LCD panel). They have a rubber cover that acts as a green filter. Taking the tops off referred to this rubber filter cover, not the switches.

As a side note, I noticed the LCD display panel has it's own backlight that cannot be dimmed, unlike the control panel illumination that is dimmed.