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[K6RQR]

 I was wondering if anyone has replaced the bulbs in their AL-80A or B with LEDs for the meter cases? I'm still unable to remove the burned out bulb from one of the meters on my 2013 80B and I simply can't find the "detent" or release tab that designer Tom, W8JI, mentioned which would release the bulbs. The alternative is to place LEDs on the top of the meter case to illuminate the meter face. I have already tried two typical grain of wheat bulbs but they aren't bright enough. LEDs come in 2.5 mm and 5.0 mm sizes and are rated in MCDs. I assume that the 5 mm is brighter. Any comments appreciated.

73,
Bruce  K6RQR

[W1QJ]

First off the meters in an AL80a and an AL80b are totally different.  The older AL80a had grain of wheat bulbs.  They are incandescent bulbs and the 80a usually had 4 tiny spring clips one for each bulb.  They are located at the top of the meter and clip into the clips.  They are easy to replace.  The AL80b has a totally different meter.  It’s actually two meters in one. They are a generic type meter that typically aren’t illuminated.  At least I’ve seen them to be retrofitted by Ameritron to be illuminated by making a small hole in the back of the meter and putting in a mini grain of wheat bulb in the hole and held in with a dab of silicone.  The early ones were incandescent.  The newer models use a similar approach with mini Leds instead of incandescent grain of wheat.  Ameritron seems to change things up so there could be other scenarios I’m not aware of.  The 80a and 80b aren’t much the same amp other than for the intended purpose.