ID these backlight lamps?

[joe_347V]

Yeah that's a good idea, I think I replaced all the bulbs in my stereo when a couple started burning out. They took these odd 8V bulbs which looked the same as a 1/4" glass fuse.

Had to look high and low for a store that sold them too.

[GEsoftwhite100watts]

Very cool clock! I recently scored a GE flip-number clock-radio straight out of the 70s at a yardsale for 5 bucks!

[Rick M.]

Yeah that's a good idea, I think I replaced all the bulbs in my stereo when a couple started burning out. They took these odd 8V bulbs which looked the same as a 1/4" glass fuse.

Had to look high and low for a store that sold them too.

Interesting...my mom's old car had bulbs kinda like that over the rear license plate (a bit larger than a fuse though).

Very cool clock! I recently scored a GE flip-number clock-radio straight out of the 70s at a yardsale for 5 bucks!

Nice, definitely a good score! I love older mechanical clocks like that.

[Rick M.]

Well guys, I was able to fix all of the backlights! I ended up converting everything to white LEDs since I couldn't find the right voltage incandescent bulbs (turned out to be a 6-volt source instead of 15 volts - I figured this out the hard way when the first bulbs I bought barely glowed when powered...I guess my old analog multi-meter didn't work right. I bought a new digital one which gave the correct voltage).

Anyway, here's the pics!

LEDs installed under the clock to serve as a clock backlight:


On:


LEDs installed in the radio dial bracket:


Put back together:


On!


Clock:


Radio dial:


Turned out pretty good! The clock backlight is dim, but you can clearly see the clock in the dark. The radio dial is a lot brighter than it used to be!

[Mike]

nice! I have to admit LEDs look a little out of place in a clock like that but it looks great! If you have acess to warm white LEDs they're a little more incandescent looking than the cooler bluish LEDs.

[Rick M.]

nice! I have to admit LEDs look a little out of place in a clock like that but it looks great! If you have acess to warm white LEDs they're a little more incandescent looking than the cooler bluish LEDs.

I agree, the LEDs do look a little too "new" for a 1972 clock. But I'd still take this over no lighting at all!

Warm white LEDs are a good idea...I may switch to those if I find some.