LED pilot lamps for front panel amp power

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pjd3
Posts: 749
Joined: Sun Nov 20, 2011 2:11 pm
Location: Reading, MA

LED pilot lamps for front panel amp power

Post by pjd3 »

Hello,

Curious to see if anyone went this route in alternatives to Fender pilot lamps.

While layout this stereo plexi I'm building, I see I'll want to use the full 11.8" turret board length. That however will get in the way of using those nice BIG/LONG Fender jewel lamp fixtures. I really like them but, they are just to big for this layout.

Has anyone used those 6V LED lamps such as I found on the LEDlights.io website.

I imagine those work fine with the 6.3vac heater supply. You can pick a variety of voltages that match to different color of choice, which I thought was kind of nice.

Thanks, hate to not use those pretty Fender jewel lamps but, provisions have to be made sometimes.
Best,
Phil D.
I’m only one person (most of the time)
maxkracht
Posts: 931
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2019 7:18 pm
Location: Iowa, USA

Re: LED pilot lamps for front panel amp power

Post by maxkracht »

I have been using these for a few years. https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/593-CMC441RTP comes in a few colors.

5mm led plus another diode in antiparallel and ~1k series resistor for 6.3vac. One layer of heatshrink to cover all of that gives a nice friction fit. I usually add a dot of nail polish as a thread lock.

You could also attach the fender jewel another way, ignore the large mounting stuff, then put a led behind. Unfortunately, I don't believe there are nuts commercially available for the weird threading of the fender jewel, but you can buy a tap and make your own if you are inclined.
TUBEDUDE
Posts: 1864
Joined: Thu Jan 04, 2007 5:23 pm
Location: Mastersville

Re: LED pilot lamps for front panel amp power

Post by TUBEDUDE »

I drill a hole in the panel and epoxy a 5mm LED with the surface ground roughly flat with 220 grit to diffuse the light and flush mount.
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Last edited by TUBEDUDE on Sun Aug 11, 2024 10:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Tube junkie that aspires to become a tri-state bidirectional buss driver.
sluckey
Posts: 3528
Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2007 7:48 pm
Location: Mobile, AL
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Re: LED pilot lamps for front panel amp power

Post by sluckey »

I have used a lot of these LED bezels from eBay. Easy to use and look good. Drill a hole. Install the bezel using a nut. LED slips in from the back of the bezel.

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maxkracht
Posts: 931
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2019 7:18 pm
Location: Iowa, USA

Re: LED pilot lamps for front panel amp power

Post by maxkracht »

Since everyone else is sharing pictures, here's one with the plastic lens I mentioned.
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Here's some 3M reflective tape as a lens.
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pjd3
Posts: 749
Joined: Sun Nov 20, 2011 2:11 pm
Location: Reading, MA

Re: LED pilot lamps for front panel amp power

Post by pjd3 »

Thank you all for helping to generate idea for other Lamp power indicators.

I did finally find one at Mouser - a 120vac neon 10mm diffuse red half bullet looking thing. It draws 1.9mA and needs a .5 inch hole. Its 0.9" long which will fit in the available space.

It wasn't easy finding a 6.3vac lamp but, it doesn't need to be that. Its just as easy to hook up a 120vac lamp.

Thank you all again!

Best,

Phil D,
I’m only one person (most of the time)
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