Sansui tuner lights out

[schwartztodd]

I recently purchased a Sansui 4000. I’ll start by saying that I’ve owned a few high end modern and vintage receivers in my life and this one is by far the warmest and musical components I’ve come across to date. Hard to describe but the sound is full and thick… love it. But that’s not why I’m here. It’s seems the tuner lights have blown. Is this something I can fix myself easily enough?

there’s no shortage in 4000 bulbs and bulb kits…. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you

 

[Bill Ashton]

Your image shows that the panel lights are out when the phono is selected...it may be of the era where the panel lights only illuminate when
the FM or AM is selected...check that and report back to us If that is the case, its how it was designed...

 

[Sansui70s]

No personal experience with the 4000, but I have replaced/updated bulbs on my Sansui 5500, QS-500, and RA-500...the bulbs for the tuner band, meters, and reverb unit, were "fuse-type" incandescent bulbs, and were ultra-easy to swap out, once the units were opened up. The only bulb that was a bit tricky, (and required care-skill), was replacing the Dial Pointer bulb...it's tiny, needs to be carefully extracted from it's carrier, and a included bit of soldering. The purists may not be thrilled, but I went with LEDs...low-no heat, (compared to incandescent), available color options, (should you want to do something different), and a "crisper" color, IMO. (BTW, my tuner dial panel illumination only light-up in FM, FM Stereo and AM mode...in other modes, the panel is dark).

 

[schwartztodd]

Thanks Bill. Good point and that might be the case for the rest of the inputs. I should have started with the tuner. The dial and tuner needle are lit but that’s it. Maybe it’s isolated to the tuner bulb?

 

[schwartztodd]

That’s really helpful. I’m starting to think the issue might be isolated to the tuner panel. Perhaps one bulb. But either way, I’ve read a bit about updating with LEDs. Thanks much.

No personal experience with the 4000, but I have replaced/updated bulbs on my Sansui 5500, QS-500, and RA-500...the bulbs for the tuner band, meters, and reverb unit were "fuse-type" incandescent bulbs, and were ultra-easy to swap out, once the units were opened up. The only bulb that was a bit tricky, (and required care-skill), was replacing the Dial Pointer bulb...it's tiny, needs to be carefully extracted from it's carrier, and a included bit of soldering. The purists may not be thrilled, but I went with LEDs...low-no heat, (compared to incandescent), available color options, (should you want to do something different), and a "crisper" color, IMO. (BTW, my tuner dial panel lights only light-up in FM, FM Stereo and AM mode...in other modes, the panel is dark).

No personal experience with the 4000, but I have replaced/updated bulbs on my Sansui 5500, QS-500, and RA-500...the bulbs for the tuner band, meters, and reverb unit were "fuse-type" incandescent bulbs, and were ultra-easy to swap out, once the units were opened up. The only bulb that was a bit tricky, (and required care-skill), was replacing the Dial Pointer bulb...it's tiny, needs to be carefully extracted from it's carrier, and a included bit of soldering. The purists may not be thrilled, but I went with LEDs...low-no heat, (compared to incandescent), available color options, (should you want to do something different), and a "crisper" color, IMO. (BTW, my tuner dial panel illumination only light-up in FM, FM Stereo and AM mode...in other modes, the panel is dark).

 

[markd51]

I know many may like the LEDs. The suitable LED Lamp replacements would likely be warm white if you wish to retain a mostly original look.

Not sure about this particular model, but if I recall, there were many sansui models where dial face lamps weren't 6v, or 8v, but were an odd 7v Fuse type Lamp. One "might" get away with 6v incandecsant, as voltage supply to these lamps might be slightly below 6V. Downsides might be a shorter lamp life. I once found 8v lamps looked a bit dim.

The 7V Lamps are quite hard to come by. I had gotten some once if I remember some long years back.

This doesn't appear to be a fuse blown on the power supply board, as I would think the meter lights would also be out, no?

 

[Tom B]

The cool white fuse type LED's from parts express have worked well for me. Just be aware that the fuse LED's are a bit directional compared to regular fuse bulbs, so you need to position them the best way to illuminate the dial. Also if using the LED's to replace "shorter fuse bulbs", you may need to bend the end tabs on the fuse holders to get the LED to sit right.

 

[schwartztodd]

It suggests to me that it’s not a fuse. I’m going to open it up and check.

I know many may like the LEDs. The suitable LED Lamp replacements would likely be warm white if you wish to retain a mostly original look.

Not sure about this particular model, but if I recall, there were many sansui models where dial face lamps weren't 6v, or 8v, but were an odd 7v Fuse type Lamp. One "might" get away with 6v incandecsant, as voltage supply to these lamps might be slightly below 6V. Downsides might be a shorter lamp life. I once found 8v lamps looked a bit dim.

The 7V Lamps are quite hard to come by. I had gotten some once if I remember some long years back.

This doesn't appear to be a fuse blown on the power supply board, as I would think the meter lights would also be out, no?