Vintage HiFi Audio Forum

Audio Discussion => CARVER => Topic started by: TNRabbit on October 02, 2011, 08:19:54 PM

Title: Sunfire Amp LED Modification
Post by: TNRabbit on October 02, 2011, 08:19:54 PM
I began the mod to put a RadioShack LED in place of the constantly burning out lamp in my Sunfire Cinema Seven Signature amplifier. 

LED values:

[size=85]Intensity: 350 mcd
Wavelength: 465-470 nm
Viewing angle: 154 degrees
FW current: 20 mA
FW supply: 3.2V (typical), 3.8V (max)[/size]

(http://rsk.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pRS1-5734113w345.jpg)

Used this site to calculate the resistor needed to match the LED up to the circuit (supposed to be 12 volts DC):

http://led.linear1.org/1led.wiz (http://led.linear1.org/1led.wiz)
Title: Re: Sunfire Amp LED Modification
Post by: TNRabbit on October 02, 2011, 08:20:39 PM
Interesting; when I got the amp back apart & checked the voltage across the light nodes it read 14.78 volts DC; considerably MORE than Martin's measurement of 12.54 VDC.  I hope my 560 ohm resistors will be sufficient.....

Anywho; got it apart, modded, & back together in less than 30 minutes.  This is an EASY job if you know ANYTHING about desoldering/soldering a printed circuit board & have a decent tiny-tipped soldering gun.

Pics:

http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Audio/Sunfire%20LED%20modification/?start=all (http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Audio/Sunfire%20LED%20modification/?start=all)

(http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Audio/Sunfire%20LED%20modification/DSC03275.jpg)

(http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Audio/Sunfire%20LED%20modification/DSC03273.jpg)

(http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Audio/Sunfire%20LED%20modification/DSC03274.jpg)

(http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Audio/Sunfire%20LED%20modification/DSC03279.jpg)

(http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Audio/Sunfire%20LED%20modification/DSC03280.jpg)

(http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Audio/Sunfire%20LED%20modification/DSC03282.jpg)

(http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Audio/Sunfire%20LED%20modification/DSC03281.jpg)
Title: Re: Sunfire Amp LED Modification
Post by: TNRabbit on October 02, 2011, 08:21:52 PM
Looks REALLY nice in the dark!!

(http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Audio/Sunfire%20LED%20modification/DSC03283.jpg)

(http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Audio/Sunfire%20LED%20modification/DSC03284.jpg)
Title: Re: Sunfire Amp LED Modification
Post by: TNRabbit on October 02, 2011, 08:26:02 PM
Pic of the guts: 

(http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Audio/Sunfire%20LED%20modification/DSC03276.jpg)
Title: Re: Sunfire Amp LED Modification
Post by: Slim-Shaddy on October 02, 2011, 08:41:14 PM
Very Nice!!
Title: Re: Sunfire Amp LED Modification
Post by: SunnyDaze on October 02, 2011, 08:44:36 PM
Oh wow. That's really sexy Rabbit.

Title: Re: Sunfire Amp LED Modification
Post by: paden501 on October 02, 2011, 09:10:49 PM
I dig it.  That's a great mod.
Title: Re: Sunfire Amp LED Modification
Post by: Bunni on October 02, 2011, 09:18:26 PM
Very nice and blue is my fav color.  Blue LED seems to be "in" with electronics and computers but some colored LEDs seem so bright and blinding.  So far the only color I've been able to really tolerate is the greenish yellow, which is sad because I hate the color.  I find blue and sometimes red really need muting to tolerate how bright they are.  I'm not sure if anyone else experiences the same thing, and my eyes are really sensitive.

But anyway, it looks cool :)
Title: Re: Sunfire Amp LED Modification
Post by: Falcon on October 02, 2011, 09:33:19 PM
Excellent Rabbit!!!  Looks great.  :o
Title: Re: Sunfire Amp LED Modification
Post by: Reverend on October 03, 2011, 08:43:09 AM
Very cool Rabbit!  O0
Title: Re: Sunfire Amp LED Modification
Post by: thuffman03 on October 03, 2011, 03:20:24 PM
That is cool.  I need that done to mine!
Title: Re: Sunfire Amp LED Modification
Post by: MacGeek on October 03, 2011, 06:16:43 PM
Could this mod be done to the meter lights on my MAC 352s?  Audio Classics wants $400 for their LED mod.  I should note it's drop in ready.
Title: Re: Sunfire Amp LED Modification
Post by: TNRabbit on October 03, 2011, 08:57:00 PM
Could this mod be done to the meter lights on my MAC 352s?  Audio Classics wants $400 for their LED mod.  I should note it's drop in ready.

You need to know what the voltage is on your regular lights & how many there are. 

Then you can determine what/how many LEDs & what resistor size to use.
Title: Re: Sunfire Amp LED Modification
Post by: mbskeam on October 03, 2011, 11:15:15 PM
Quote
Could this mod be done to the meter lights on my MAC 352s?  Audio Classics wants $400 for their LED mod.  I should note it's drop in ready.

aren't your meters blue already?????
why would you put in blue leds if the color is blue right now???

just askin...
Title: Re: Sunfire Amp LED Modification
Post by: OCCD on October 04, 2011, 04:06:00 PM
Nice!
Title: Re: Sunfire Amp LED Modification
Post by: TNRabbit on October 04, 2011, 04:43:38 PM
Perhaps Anders can tell me how this looks, on a scale of 1-10~

(http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Audio/Sunfire%20LED%20modification/DSC03279.jpg)
Title: Re: Sunfire Amp LED Modification
Post by: MacGeek on October 04, 2011, 07:18:21 PM
The meters do light in blue.  The bulbs are clear, with a blue filter between the meter face and the glass front panel.  My interest is in extending bulb life and reducing heat.  I'll need to check the bulb count and voltage.
Title: Re: Sunfire Amp LED Modification
Post by: mbskeam on October 04, 2011, 10:41:58 PM
okay, I get it now.... :D

you could do this color.....

(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a96/mbskeam/carver%20speakers/HPIM1881.jpg)

at night....

(http://thecarversite.com/yetanotherforum/uploadimg3/20110923134905848.jpg)

purple the new blue..... ;)
Title: Re: Sunfire Amp LED Modification
Post by: TNRabbit on October 05, 2011, 04:24:03 AM
Mike, those are ultraviolet, right?  I'm wondering what that would look like in my Sunfire.......DAMN YOU!!! >:D





 :P :P :P
Title: Re: Sunfire Amp LED Modification
Post by: TNRabbit on October 05, 2011, 04:26:35 AM
Geez, Mike; you have enough stuff in the background there to trade for a new vehicle...

I LOVE your copper rack!
Title: Re: Sunfire Amp LED Modification
Post by: mbskeam on October 05, 2011, 04:01:47 PM
Quote
Mike, those are ultraviolet

yes, got them at ratshack
Title: Re: Sunfire Amp LED Modification
Post by: MacGeek on October 05, 2011, 07:41:45 PM
The meters are indeed blue.  MAC uses a blue filter between the front panel and meter face.  The bulbs are clear.  I'm just lookin' to decrease heat and extend bulb life
Title: Re: Sunfire Amp LED Modification
Post by: TNRabbit on October 19, 2011, 11:20:20 AM
The meters do light in blue.  The bulbs are clear, with a blue filter between the meter face and the glass front panel.  My interest is in extending bulb life and reducing heat.  I'll need to check the bulb count and voltage.

So, were you able to find any details?
Title: Re: Sunfire Amp LED Modification
Post by: MacGeek on October 20, 2011, 05:18:13 PM
Been on the road and haven't had time to pull the amps (well over 100lbs each) form the rack, pop the covers and measure the voltage.
Title: Re: Sunfire Amp LED Modification
Post by: b52bgz on December 28, 2013, 07:17:08 AM
(New member, old carver user.) I know, this an old post but.... I have a Cinema Grand 200 5. My lamp burned out (surprise...) I thought I'd do this LED mod. I opened of the box and there was the lamp on the pcb but there was also a fairly hefty resistor (160ohm x 2w) in series with the lamp. One of the incoming leads was connected at E1 and the other was connected in common with one resistor lead (rather than at E2), the lamp was then connected to the 'normal' points. I removed the lamp and resistor. Put my fluke to the incoming leads and got .985vdc. Huh. Not anywhere close to what others have posted. Switched the fluke to AC and got 18v! At this point, I stopped to do some head scratching. Decided to button it back up and seek assistance.

Anyone seen this arrangement before?
Title: Re: Sunfire Amp LED Modification
Post by: Mikesp1 on January 13, 2016, 04:41:21 PM
I can confirm it is 18v ac on the Cinema Grand 200 X 5.

I installed a led with a resistor and diode with great succes.
Title: Re: Sunfire Amp LED Modification
Post by: OldiesButGoodies on January 14, 2016, 04:31:07 PM
I can confirm it is 18v ac on the Cinema Grand 200 X 5.

I installed a led with a resistor and diode with great succes.

Same here on 405 x 5. Get a few resistors that will allow you to see the range of intensity available from the diodes so you can tweak to taste.
Title: Re: Sunfire Amp LED Modification
Post by: ataudio on January 14, 2016, 08:43:39 PM
Ummmm....I'm confused.  18 volts "AC".   Not DC....so does the LED flicker? It has too...must be at an
Imperceptible rate.  An LED is a diode so it does rectify...with the added by product of light...I guess.
Title: Re: Sunfire Amp LED Modification
Post by: OldiesButGoodies on August 12, 2016, 07:42:58 PM
guess it depends how much you want to see  (not sure this joules meter tells you much besides "hey,  I am on".  when I had the big-ribbon Carver Amazings connected [they are set aside for now] the joule meter danced at volume,  not so much with the easier to drive Tritons). in my application (home theater) I wanted it dimly lit,  so I chose the led and resistor accordingly.  if you want more light just adjust what led and resistor value you use. 

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8752/28866118921_921c4978c6_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/KYNptx)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/KYNptx) by Jose Sifontes (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jsifontes/), on Flickr