radio bulbs (non S2)

[missmouse]

anyone know where i can get some tiny (very tiny!) bulbs for the backlighting on my Sony cd? I need 2 of the items they are about 3.5mm dia & as its an auto unit I assumed they would be 12v- DUH! no! after fitting they only just glowed!
After that I got some 6v bulbs & fitted those- better but still cant see the display in daylight!
I reckon i need 4volt , unfortunatly Maplin dont do these & specialist ICE repair people want £45!!! (for 2x 30p bulbs????)
help!,
simon

[Beetie]

Thnk they could be radio specialist fitting only, but you might be able to get some from an electronics store somewhere.....

[Stick Insect]

anyone know where i can get some tiny (very tiny!) bulbs for the backlighting on my Sony cd? I need 2 of the items they are about 3.5mm dia & as its an auto unit I assumed they would be 12v- DUH! no! after fitting they only just glowed!
After that I got some 6v bulbs & fitted those- better but still cant see the display in daylight!
I reckon i need 4volt , unfortunatly Maplin dont do these & specialist ICE repair people want £45!!! (for 2x 30p bulbs????)
help!,
simon

Can you not wire them directly to the on/off switch? this would help I would have thought....

Call Sony direct, their spares department must work like that of Alpine who I have dealt with.

David

[Doug_RS2]

Have you tried Farnell and RS?

https://www.farnell.com

www.rswww.com

[Stick Insect]

I must be brain dead today.

How about using an LED the nominal voltage is 4.7V and you can get a range of colours.

HTH

David

[Doug_RS2]

How about using an LED the nominal voltage is 4.7V and you can get a range of colours.

You have to be careful just replacing a bulb with an LED - if the bulbs are in parallel with each other and you replace them with LEDs then you damage the LEDs - If you are doing this you have to get the LEDs with the built in resistors. And all LEDs are not the same - they don't all have a forward voltage of 4.7V.

[Stick Insect]

You have to be careful just replacing a bulb with an LED - if the bulbs are in parallel with each other and you replace them with LEDs then you damage the LEDs - If you are doing this you have to get the LEDs with the built in resistors. And all LEDs are not the same - they don't all have a forward voltage of 4.7V.

I haven't kept myself up to date with semi conductor technology. I was at college in the early 80's. Valves are far more interesting...

4CX1000 is a handy bit of kit for radio transmitting.

Simon, can you measure the voltage at the base of the bulb please? we may be able to give more guidance once we know.

David

[missmouse]

I haven't kept myself up to date with semi conductor technology. I was at college in the early 80's. Valves are far more interesting...

4CX1000 is a handy bit of kit for radio transmitting.

Simon, can you measure the voltage at the base of the bulb please? we may be able to give more guidance once we know.

David

Hi David, thanks for all your suggestions.
I thought of the LED idea, unfortunately the stereo is a face off unit so i cant do any voltage measurements/directions with the face off & in bits!
This also prevents the idea of running a separate 12v feed to the lamps!
I will try the links, I doubt sony would help, they would most likely say return the unit & we will fix (at great cost!)

Cheers,
Simon