Mixer Switch lamp replacement

[EthanSpaulding]

Does anyone know how to replace the bulbs in these switches used by Sphere in the alpha one mixer?
Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[kags]

Usually the clear plastic cap comes off and then the label and/or inside cap. Then you should see the bulb that you can pull out with a tweezers or small needle nose.

 

[EthanSpaulding]

Thanks Kags! Almost had to get out the hammer ;P

 

[Whoops]

Usually the clear plastic cap comes off and then the label and/or inside cap. Then you should see the bulb that you can pull out with a tweezers or small needle nose.

Yes,
and sometimes bulbs break and shred into pieces when you are trying to pull them out
Bummer

 

[Gold]

Without knowing what kind of lamp it is be careful. It could be screw base, bayonet base or possibly a T-Slide. For bayonet base you have to push down and twist or just twist. For T-Slide a needle nose pliers will work but a ‘bulb puller’ is the tool. It can be simulated by using a rubber hose a little smaller than the bulb diameter.

 

[pucho812]

Depending on bulb size, I use a bulb extraction tool. It’s not as harsh when using needle nose pliers so the chance to break the bulb is reduced.

 

[EthanSpaulding]

Luckily, 30 some bulbs and no explosions. I slid two layers of shrink wrap over my needle nose pliers and it was a treat. I appreciate Kags giving me the run down, I really didn't want to force anything in any way. In the end it was fairly simple. Thanks for jumping in guys!

 

[Gold]

I slid two layers of shrink wrap over my needle nose pliers and it was a treat.

I do that too when I don’t have the right size bulb puller.

 

[jensenmann]

I´m using rubber tubes to pull the bulbs out. Something like this with a diameter that fits: %product-title% kaufen

 

[Brian Roth]

I´m using rubber tubes to pull the bulbs out. Something like this with a diameter that fits: %product-title% kaufen

Man, this brings back memories. I used to maintain a studio full of MCI tape machines. The VU meters used bi-pin based lamps that were a PITA to replace. We used to have Radio Shack here in the USA and I found an "assortment" of "thick wall" heat shrink tubing. Never shrunk them....found one that worked as a perfect size to take hold and extract and replace. Kept THAT one in one of the MCI audios drawers....away from heat.

Bri

 

[sodderboy]

I have always used Canare ‘5C or ‘6S jacket. I have all sizes of jacket saved for other tasks in the studio and elsewhere. Multicore jacket over the ziptie is fantastic for high service loops.
If I do not have, I use a tube of artist tape.
Whatever the lamp is, there is a good LED replacement for it for 99% of instances.
Save your blown lamps in case you need to DIY a replacement using the base.

Mike

 

[kags]

I have been slowly converting our SSL 4K G+ to LED bulbs. I remove the glass from the metal slide base and solder in a resistor and LED. I have to do groups of switches at a time or the coloring looks odd, but I've found a good match for the center section bulbs. We got tired of changing out 100+ bulbs per year at something like 6 bucks a bulb!

 

[Errit]

I use this set of tools for replacing lamps. It is meant for EAO switches, but it can be used for other brands too.
https://nl.farnell.com/eao/k61-999-100/switch-tool-kit/dp/618676

 

[Gold]

I have been slowly converting our SSL 4K G+ to LED bulbs. I remove the glass from the metal slide base and solder in a resistor and LED. I have to do groups of switches at a time or the coloring looks odd, but I've found a good match for the center section bulbs. We got tired of changing out 100+ bulbs per year at something like 6 bucks a bulb!

Does anyone have a trick to mitigate the narrow beam of a standard LED? NKK sells flat top LED’s with lenses but they are expensive. Is there such a thing as a diffusion lens that fits on a standard LED?

 

[sodderboy]

LED, they sell diffused lenses LEDs, kind of a cloudy plastic, but you also need a panel mount arrangement? A retrofit inside of an existing switch can be a piece of white paper.

SSL! Do not replace the centre section FADE bulb with LED because the bulb is part of the timing circuit. Whew! now I can either close or re-purpose that memory slot. There might be a second bulb like that.

Mike

 

[kags]

LED, they sell diffused lenses LEDs, kind of a cloudy plastic, but you also need a panel mount arrangement? A retrofit inside of an existing switch can be a piece of white paper.

SSL! Do not replace the centre section FADE bulb with LED because the bulb is part of the timing circuit. Whew! now I can either close or re-purpose that memory slot. There might be a second bulb like that.

Mike

Correct - none of the VCA-related bulbs in a 4K (comp in, Auto-fade, etc...) should be LED AFAIK...