r390 dial lights

[KB5MD]

Where can I purchase dial light bulbs for an R390 receiver

[flintstone mop]

google #328 bulb and you will see many sources. Mouser and Digikey might also have that bulb. They usually last 3 yrs 24/7.
Fred

[KD0HUX]

I bought mine at {  FAIR RADIO SALES }

[Edward Cain]

The bulbs used on the R390 are different from those on the R390A.

The R390 uses a 28V #327 and the R390A uses a 6V #328.

[WA3VJB]

Beat me to it Ed, found that out when I put one of the 390A bulbs into a 390. Thought I shorted the damn thing and it made an arc. NO, just blowing the bulb.

Any experience with the LED replacements now out there?  There are some yellow-white ones that happen to replicate the effect of an incandescent reflecting around inside the yellow-painted dial cover.

LED substitute / 327 for R390
http://www.martekled.com/-strse-173/%23327-flange-based-LED/Detail.bok

LED substsitute / 328 for R390A
http://industrialleds.com/328-led.html

[ke7trp]

Be carefull with the LED bulbs. On some rigs, the fil line also powers lamps. Its a great way to get Noise into the Receiver from the switching supply inside the LED lamp assembly.  On some of my rigs, its ok, On others, it is not.

If its color you want to change, use Bulb condoms.  You can get a bag of them from any online pinball machine supplier for a few bucks. 

C

[KL7OF]

Those Led types are not as bright as the incandescents...My world seems to need more light these days.  I'm looking for a bright replacement for the #47 BULB LIKE IN THE hAMMURLUNDS AND hALLICRAFTERS...

[ke7trp]

Steve, You need #44's..  They are still 6.3 volts but .250 amp instead of .150 for the 47. They are much brighter.

CAREFULL about where you use the 44s. If you put them right up against a plastic Dial Face or meter panel, you could discolor it. This is why you see some old rigs with a burn mark on the face.  Someone swapped in the 44's.  Alot of the bulb sockets are clipped on and then you can simply move the 44 bulb back away from the face a bit.

C

[KL7OF]

THANKS Clark......I just ordered 30 #44's from 1000Bulbs....$10 plus shipping ($9)   Should brighten my life a little...I have 5 rxs that use that bulb.....Steve

[W3RSW]

Check the schematics before just slapping them in.
Some strings are parallel, some series, some just plain 6.3v.
e.g. the Drake SPR-4 has two in series and one by itself so you probably don't want two separate current rated bulbs in series.

Also someone not too long ago mentioned to be sure to replace round with round rather than with long cylindrical, again to get spacing from the plastic dials in non-sliding holders.

Unless you have a bunch in a single receiver, I don't suppose the extra 100ma/bulb would be too much.   Good thing a 32V has such specialized bulbs and doesn't light them all at once.

"But Dad, it looked real purty for our prop party before it burned the rec-room."

[K3ZS]

Use #1847 in place of #47 for a much longer bulb life.   Seems just as bright as 47.