Options for alternative panel switches

[walkman]

They cut off at about 7.25 volts, at that point they are very dim, and should be fine with whatever you are using to dim them with.

can't you use a PWM dimmer on them? voltage-based dimming on LEDs tends to be not much more than on/off because...well that's how they work

 

[bjdecker]

In the category of "Don't let this happen to you!" attached are two images of the AML30 series operator light holder. In the first image, you can see 4 contacts for the T1-3/4 bulb. In the second, you can see how the contacts on one side have curled under and are pushed back into the socket.

This is what happens when you "force" a bulb into the socket. The 3-LED replacement (here -- https://www.superbrightleds.com/cat...lb-3-smd-led-miniature-wedge-base/category/2/) is just a hair thicker that the CML-73 bulbs and can catch the contacts when installing them -- don't force it!

 

[mc607]

The 3-LED replacement

Brian,
Is this your first time using these bulbs? Except for the mishap, what is your take on them?
The end of the new bulbs is square and may have contributed to the contact rollback.

 

[bjdecker]

Brian,
Is this your first time using these bulbs? Except for the mishap, what is your take on them?
The end of the new bulbs is square and may have contributed to the contact rollback.
View attachment 73991

Yes and No. I now understand the source of the flicker. I have a dozen of the PCB mounted LED bulbs on order. A little bit of DG on the contacts and they should slip right in and not flicker…

 

[bjdecker]

As I said earlier -- I now understand the reason for the flickers. The contact area between the bulb and switch wipers is very small; comprised of a round section (the LED leads) contacting a flat spring loaded section. Recall your geometry; the intersection of a cylinder and a plane is a line...(or two).

Add a little vibration, a little oxide formation, and you've got a really lousy electrical contact. The PCB type LED should be more robust.

 

[dmattmul]

Super Bright Lights 74-xHP3-CAR wedge base bulb 1.92 mm at the base thickest part. The regular bulb Honeywell sells is 2.33 mm. After 4 years and 600 hrs. the socket contacts have expanded and now will not hold the wedge base bulb very tight. Hard even to make it light up at all. A new AML switch holds it tight. I'm going to try and pull the contacts tighter with a dental pick and if that fails try and lay in some soldier on the contact strips which might make the surface once more not flat but rounded. Recommend changing out the bulbs early or better yet don't install the OEM bulbs sold with the switch and bend the contacts out, so the wedge base bulb is not tight any longer.