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Looking for LED to replace old lamp in Sansui 9090

Balinus

Active Member
Hello!

I have 1 (sometimes 2!) lamp that seems dead (it's intermittent though for both lamp) in my receiver behind the tuner glass. I'd like to replace all lamp with LED. I am, however, slightly lost. Here's a couple of questions I was wondering. Keep in mind I have zero knowledge about these matters.

Since the lamp is sometimes "on". Where should I look to remedy this situation?

Which color do I take? I'm wondering if it's the glass that has a blue tint or is it the incandescent light inside that is blue? So, should I order white or blue led? And how much? I'd like to replace all lamp if it's possible for me (i.e. no soldering).

I've read that I need 6V LED light, is that right?

I've also read that there is no soldering involved. Is that right? I have 0 experience with soldering, nor do I have any equipment.

Is there a reputable seller somewhere for LED?

Thanks again for your help!
 
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Easy deal, you need clear lens fuse type LEDs, or just use stock lamps, Dgwojo is the bulb guru for AK.
Your intermittent problem is a soldering task, the lamps are held in place with small clips, these are soldered to a circuit board, and the solder needs at a minimum to be re flowed, some say to remove the old solder and re-solder completely.
If you have no skills or equipment it is possible there's another member near you that can do that work, if you list your location maybe someone will volunteer.
If I recall it will take 6 lamps to do the whole receiver. Stock was 7v 300ma, but 8v 250 ma are commonly available and work fine.:thmbsp:
 
Thanks for all the details!

I feared that this would require soldering. How hard is it to learn to solder? Might be a cool project to undertake and this would gives me the opportunity to re-cap the amp at a lower cost.

In the meantime, I'm in Montréal. I guess there's not many AKer living here :)
 
The LEDs are easy enough to find. I usually use a little higher rated voltage than what is required which probably extends their life even longer. I haven't worked on a 9090 before, but from what I understand its not the easiest task. The new LEDs would definitely require some soldering; whether you make your own or buy them pre-wired. I think I remember reading somewhere that those meter lamps are a real PITA to change out. Maybe not the best unit to recap while learning to solder, but I jumped into it with a Yamaha CR2020 which was no easy task, although I had some previous experience with an iron. Depending on where you want to take it, as nosirrah said, you may just want to contact member Dwojo for new lamps.
 
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Sorry, I didn't read well enough, and missed that these were fuse style lamps (also called festoon). I actually just replaced the fuse lamps in a sony 7065 using some 12v festoon bulbs I purchased off of ebay. They work great. They are a little thicker than the old bulbs, but that just required bending the contacts on the holder out a bit. If you do a search on the bay for 12v festoon LEDs you'll find a slew of them for fairly cheap. Just make sure you measure the old ones and get the correct length, and they should drop right in.
 
Sorry, I didn't read well enough, and missed that these were fuse style lamps (also called festoon). I actually just replaced the fuse lamps in a sony 7065 using some 12v festoon bulbs I purchased off of ebay. They work great. They are a little thicker than the old bulbs, but that just required bending the contacts on the holder out a bit. If you do a search on the bay for 12v festoon LEDs you'll find a slew of them for fairly cheap. Just make sure you measure the old ones and get the correct length, and they should drop right in.

Thanks! So, you're saying I need to go with 12V and not 8V or 7V?

I've seen that there's also some LED from AK member "CKeeler". Looks like interesting LEDs. One member successfully replaced the lamp in a Sansui 9090 with them.
 
I would not use the 12v lamps, the 8v ones are available everywhere.
Soldering, read up on the subject, google is your friend here, then get some old radio or the like at a local thrift and practice, you will need a good soldering iron, solder, flux, etc.
 
A fellow Ak'er makes some nice LED lights. I've been buying most of my lights from him and just ordered some for my 8080DB. LED= less heat on the plastic housing and looks much cooler than greenish blue.
 
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Thanks! So, you're saying I need to go with 12V and not 8V or 7V?

I've seen that there's also some LED from AK member "CKeeler". Looks like interesting LEDs. One member successfully replaced the lamp in a Sansui 9090 with them.

Whether you go with LED or incandescent. For easiest replacement your still going to have to reflow the solder connections on the lamp / fuse clips. :yes:
 
I would not use the 12v lamps, the 8v ones are available everywhere.
Soldering, read up on the subject, google is your friend here, then get some old radio or the like at a local thrift and practice, you will need a good soldering iron, solder, flux, etc.

ok thanks! I'll go with 8V then.

I've began to read on it. Doesn't look like too hard. The only question remaining is : do I have the time? hehehe

A fellow Ak'er makes some nice LED lights. I've been buying most of my lights from him and just ordered some for my 8080DB. LED= less heat on the plastic housing and looks much cooler than greenish blue.

Indeed, LED seems the way to go. Just for the longer lifetime. It's a plus if they look better!

Whether you go with LED or incandescent. For easiest replacement your still going to have to reflow the solder connections on the lamp / fuse clips. :yes:

Yes... I'll take a look at it. Maybe I can find a friend who knows how to solder in the short term.
 
Easy deal, you need clear lens fuse type LEDs, or just use stock lamps, Dgwojo is the bulb guru for AK.
Your intermittent problem is a soldering task, the lamps are held in place with small clips, these are soldered to a circuit board, and the solder needs at a minimum to be re flowed, some say to remove the old solder and re-solder completely.
If you have no skills or equipment it is possible there's another member near you that can do that work, if you list your location maybe someone will volunteer.
If I recall it will take 6 lamps to do the whole receiver. Stock was 7v 300ma, but 8v 250 ma are commonly available and work fine.:thmbsp:
I am thinking of making my own LED dial lamps. I would most likely need two LED in series to get sufficient brightness.

I understand that the voltage on the Sansui 9090db dial lamp circuit is 6.3v. If so, it will be difficult to put two LED in series as most of the LED I sourced appear to have 3.4 Forward Voltage. Two of those in series will yield 6.8 FV. The 6.3v circuit will not have sufficient voltage to take care of the 6.8FV and light up the LEDs at the same time. Does anyone make any LED dial lamps for Sansui 9090db? What is your calculation? HELP!!
 
You can wire them in parallel. You will need to put a resistor in series with each one to limit the current. I would would just find a single LED per spot that will do the job. Adjust the current/resistor ( up to max for the LED ) to get the brightness you want.

Joel

I am thinking of making my own LED dial lamps. I would most likely need two LED in series to get sufficient brightness.

I understand that the voltage on the Sansui 9090db dial lamp circuit is 6.3v. If so, it will be difficult to put two LED in series as most of the LED I sourced appear to have 3.4 Forward Voltage. Two of those in series will yield 6.8 FV. The 6.3v circuit will not have sufficient voltage to take care of the 6.8FV and light up the LEDs at the same time. Does anyone make any LED dial lamps for Sansui 9090db? What is your calculation? HELP!!
 
Those lamps are fun to get to, let me tell you.

I had Echowars rebuild my 9090db, and he says it's tough, and that he's personally never been happy with any solution. The original gaskets or whatever that hold them turn to dust after many years. He went with LED's, but two have died, and aren't staying in place like they should. I'm hoping to go back to stock bulbs, since they'll likely outlive me. Good luck with your project.
 
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