Sansui Seven Dial Pointer Lamp Replacement

[Airjmax]

I'm looking for help/guidance in changing the dial pointer lamp on my recently-acquired Sansui Seven receiver. I've located the lamp after removing the cover, but it looks like the faceplate will have to be removed to access the "carrier" that holds the lamp. Specific questions I have are:
- Can it be replaced without removing the faceplate?
- Is it possible to splice in the lamp? The wire ends run into a board, and appear to be glued in place where they enter a metal cover.
- Can anyone tell me the name of the tool used to remove the rings around the headphone/tape monitor/playback jacks? I don't want to use pliers (even with tape on them). I'm afraid of scratching the faceplate. I have removed enough of these rings to justify buying a proper tool.
- Can the leads be soldered in any manner, or is there a positive/negative/ground I need to be aware of.
I am pretty much a noob, but I can solder and work with care, so I feel like replacing the lamp will be a good learning experience.
Thanks in advance for helping with this. I have learned an incredible amount about vintage audio equipment from you all, and I enjoy the community here.
-Airjmax

 

[LBPete]

Before you condemn the lamp, check it's power supply. It may be wired to turn off when not using the tuner. If so, the switch contacts may be dirty. They may just need to be cleaned.

- Pete

 

[Airjmax]

Before you condemn the lamp, check it's power supply. It may be wired to turn off when not using the tuner. If so, the switch contacts may be dirty. They may just need to be cleaned.

- Pete

Thanks Pete. It does power off when not using the tuner, in fact all the tuning dial lights go out. I've cleaned all the contacts on all the pots, and all the other lamps work as they should. A friend has a Seven with the same issue. Maybe a common problem?

 

[Airjmax]

Looks like I can close this thread, I dove into the repair and figured it out. @LBPete the lamp was indeed burnt out. I appreciate your suggestion. This project was challenging, but I stuck with it and carefully got it done properly.
Thanks to @GD70 for his advice and support. You are great Glenn! Here is the working lamp...

 

[GD70]

Looks like I can close this thread, I dove into the repair and figured it out. @LBPete the lamp was indeed burnt out. I appreciate your suggestion. This project was challenging, but I stuck with it and carefully got it done properly.
Thanks to @GD70 for his advice and support. You are great Glenn! Here is the working lamp...
View attachment 1416005

Glad it worked out and I've always loved illuminated tuner dial pointers.
Glenn

 

[Radio73]

HELP! I'm in the same situation. My Sansui Seven dial pointer just went out and was hoping to see some details as to what is involved. Wanna help a fellow Sansui brother out? What bulb to get and what is the procedure? Thanks in advance

 

[LBPete]

It's a 3mm 6v 70mA bare wire bulb. Contact AK member DGWOJO. Here's his websitehttps://sites.google.com/site/dgwojocom/

it's a bit of a job to dig the old bulb out of the end of the dial pointer but once that's done just splice in the new one.Be sure to insulate the new wires.

- Pete

 

[Radio73]

Thanks for the info Pete. So, pulling the old bulb off the pointer is the hardest part of the job? I wont have to do anything crazy like pull the pointer off the string or anything? It will be accessible just by pulling off the front panel and thats it?

 

[LBPete]

You shouldn't have to take the pointer off the string. You will have to solder. As far as accessibility, take the cover off and look.

- Pete

 

[Airjmax]

Just getting time to answer your query @Radio73 The procedure went as follows:
- Remove the cover from the receiver
- Take off all the knobs and screws to remove the faceplate (clean it with a mild soap and water solution while you have it off)
- Turn the tuning knob so the pointer is in the center of the dial
- I taped the carriage in place so it didn't get out of alignment while replacing the lamp
- Carefully pry up the two metal clips holding the lamp wires
- The tuning string is threaded around the wires, so to keep them in place, slip a toothpick in each loop BEFORE attempting to remove the lamp
- Cut the wires at a point about 3" behind the faceplate
- Slowly pull out the wire leads from the lamp
- The lamp is glued into the dial pointer, so gently wiggle and twist until it comes loose, being careful to not let the pointer carriage move
- As stated by others in this thread, purchase the lamp from dgwojocom - that's what I used
- Once the old lamp is removed, slide the wire leads of the new lamp under the tuning string (where you placed the toothpics)
- Pull the leads through until the lamp is aligned with the dial pointer (you will have to bend the end where the lamp is at a 90 degree angle)
- Strip the wires from the receiver, and solder them to the lamp wires (slip the provided heat-shrink tubing on first)
- Be careful not to drip solder on anything below the wires, and stay away from the tuning string (I placed some cardboard under)
- Slide the heat-shrink over your solder joints, and shrink it with a heat gun or lighter
- Bend the metal clips back to secure the lamp wires, and remove the toothpics if you haven't already
Hopefully, the picture I've attached of the new lamp installed will help as well.
I would also like to acknowledge the assistance of AK member @Tom B He gave me advice when I tackled this repair.
Good luck!