CR-820 Front Panel Lights Out

[dustin81783]

I've read enough over the years that I finally decided to jump in and purchased a CR-820, but I'm still very new. I'm a pretty handy guy in general, but don't deal with electronics to the extent that I would be 100% comfortable poking around too much.

Having said that, the lights are out on the FM/Signal/and Tuner, how difficult would it be for me to replace and fix, as a complete novice?

If it matters, the red FM/AM and Power light is on.

Alternatively, does anyone know of a repair shop around Orlando, FL that may help, if I can't do this on my own / or break it? lol

 

[Bert 1100]

there are 4 bulbs in there : 3 for the meters and 1 for the dial pointer. they are wired in series by pairs. so two in series plus two in series. if one of the two in series goes out the second stops working...
the red ones are leds so normally never go out...
in order to change them you need first to write down or take a pic of how they are wired in, then you need to unsolder the leads from the posts on the main board and solder in the new ones.
the ones for the meters sit in small rubber boots you can pull out. the one for the pointer, you need to unscrew two small screws on top of the assembly.
the bulbs are 12v 60mA. get ones with wires, otherwise it's quite tricky because of the lack of space.
If you do it yourself, you can order the bulbs from AK member Dgwojo : dgwojo.com , he is well known around here.

 

[Bert 1100]

Oh, and welcome, since this is your first post !!

 

[dustin81783]

Oh, and welcome, since this is your first post !!

Thanks! I've been lurking and reading around here for several months, and other places for years, but I was mostly just looking at setups and daydreaming, ect..

So, let's start at the beginning. I'm not entirely sure what I'm looking at, once the case comes off. I know where they are, but behind the faceplate, does everything need to be unscrewed to access the bulbs? I don't want to take it all apart, if it is not needed. Remember: Complete rookie!

But I most definitely feel I'm up to the task. I obsess over things once I get into it, and once I learn as much as I can, only then am I satisfied!

Do you think this is something a determined rookie can handle, or should it be left to the experienced?

 

[Bert 1100]

only the top cover needs to be removed. I read somewhere you need to have the dial pointer at one end of the scale or the other to avoid the string getting caught in the cover ?
Once the cover is removed you will see the back of the meters, with the 3 black rubber boots inserted, with wires coming out of them. And two wires going to the dial pointer.
Can you solder ?

 

[Bert 1100]

thats a pic of mine when I opened it for the first time....
the red arrows show where the bulbs are, in the the black rubber boots that just pull out. the pointer dial is off to the left...
PLEASE only work on it with the unit OFF and UNPLUGGED. I know it sounds obvious, but.....

 

[dustin81783]

only the top cover needs to be removed. I read somewhere you need to have the dial pointer at one end of the scale or the other to avoid the string getting caught in the cover ?
Once the cover is removed you will see the back of the meters, with the 3 black rubber boots inserted, with wires coming out of them. And two wires going to the dial pointer.
Can you solder ?

Ok yeah. I can totally do this!

Once I get home, I'll look a little more closely, but I think I've got this. I'll post later with more questions I'm sure

 

[TSheaZ28]

If you don't mind a somewhat messy install, you don't necessarily have to unsolder them from the posts. You can cut the leads and solder in new ones with some heat shrink around the wires where you soldered them. I did this with my 1020, as the posts were someone difficult to get to with all the wires around them.