Marantz Lights

[Whaleman]

Hi there, newbie here. Just acquired a Marantz 1550, 2230, 2285. Some lights will need replacing.

I am having a hard time finding the 8V 200 mA fuse lights and the blue/green colored for the 1550 (1980). Seen some on eBay, but seem unreasonable priced?

Also checked parts express but they only list the 250 mA fuse lights, are these OK to use?

Also, don't cringe, but is WD40 harmful to the potentiometers? I am using really old TV tuner conditioning but it is running out and not sure Radio Shack sells it anymore.

Many thanks for any advice. A

[Mr Slabi]

The 250mA fuse lights are fine. I used em in 2 of mine (2220 and 2015) and they haven't bothered anything yet. Wouldn't go any higher though.

Nice score of some great Marantz.

[Kasra]

before you buy anything on ebay, i bought 7 GREAT fuse lamps from a member of this forum for less than 15 bucks.
http://home.earthlink.net/~dwojo/index.html
he helped me pick out what i needed for my marantz becuase i was a newb at it also.
great guy to deal with. safe and quick shipping.
dwojo@earthlink.net

no affil. :)

[Fred Longworth]

Don't use WD-40. Use Caig DeoxIT D-5.

8v/250mA lamps are fine. Pre-test them.

Fred Longworth

[EchoWars]

Let me put this more strongly...WD-40 has a unique ability to dissolve the carbon tracks of some types of potentiometers, which will turn your nice vintage receiver into a very pretty doorstop. It is a great cleaner for many things, but completely and thoroughly unsuitable for use on switches and pots in stereo gear.

...just so we're clear on that. :yes:

[dgwojo]

Do yourself a favor and use the correct 8v/200ma, do all of them at once in any given unit, the vibration fron replacing one or two is enough to trash the others, also, the bi-pins are 6.3v/40ma or 8v/40ma, dial pointer 8v/60ma/4.5mm. I do carry them all, see the attached thread from the latest buyer, he sure restored the blue glow, Dave.

Marantz Restoration (http://206.225.95.32/forums/showthread.php?t=77031)

Lamps - Marantz, Middle Right Picture (http://home.earthlink.net/~dwojo/index.html)

[Tripqzon]

I recently purchased a set of lamps from Dgwojo and am extremely pleased :thmbsp: . Do yourself a favor and do the same.

Paul

[Whaleman]

Thanks folks! I think I landed in the right place. Sent email to Dgwojo for the lights. Thanks again. The 2285 is waiting pickup. The 2230 is on its way.

Alex.

[luvvinvinyl]

Welcome to AK!

[basicblues]

Every one of these type of post seems to turn into a sales pitch :boring:

[yamahammer]

do you fix your own stuff ????????????????????????? i would rather know that i have people here to help me than take my chances local or on epray or endure the shipping charges from the large electronics firms

[dgwojo]

Every one of these type of post seems to turn into a sales pitch :boring:
No, we just don't want a Marantz to end up like the one below. I could just switch my lamp hobby over to ePay but the fees would bump my prices up, oh well, if I needed the business I'd do just that. :nono:

http://img195.echo.cx/img195/9797/lamps19ru.jpg

[gearhead]

Every one of these type of post seems to turn into a sales pitch :boring:


What you're interpreting as a sales pitch is actually a member here helping someone out.
There are a lot of people on here who have different gifts-dgwojo just happens to be our resident lamp guru.
I fail to see a problem with that.

[Whaleman]

I appreciate the help and got saved from paying 3-4 times as much at eBay--and offline via email Dgwojo has given me quite a bit of free valuable DIY information.

Thanks again!

BTW, I am picking up a bunch of stuff this week from a girl that needs space. Among the loot, a Sony STR-V55, tape deck, and two Teledyne AR floor speakers.

[Macaroon]

While we're on the subject of lamp replacement, I could use a little help. OK, a lot of help! I have a 2240 that needs replacement of a couple dial lamps, the tuning lamp and the stereo lamp. I've seen earlier threads where the process is described, but it seemed like some of the steps were missing. Then I realized, the 2240 has a fairly unique feature: the "FM Front End" is right behind the dial lamp board (see pics). How do I get around this huge obstacle? And how do I access the tuning meter lamp? Thanks.

[Mr Slabi]

That looks similar to my 2015 setup. I changed the bulbs from the front panel.
I didn't want to bother removing the tuner string assy.

[Macaroon]

That looks similar to my 2015 setup. I changed the bulbs from the front panel.
I didn't want to bother removing the tuner string assy.

You went through the front panel? I considered that, but it looks like the tuner lens (blue plastic) is glued to the metal. Is there an easy way to get past it, or is it something a first-timer might be likely to screw up?

[Mr Slabi]

If your carefull you can remove the lense quite easily. I know it is not the correct way to replace the bulbs, but it worked well for me.
I used a straight razor to cut through the glue and then the lense came right off. It was tacky enough that once the new bulbs were installed it stuck back together as if never apart.

Like I said. I know it ain't the right way to do it, but I didn't want to fuss with the tuner string. If you try it this way be very very carefull as the lense can crack very easily. I deal with thin brittle objects all day (I'm a mechanic), and know when to stop trying to pry on something.

[Macaroon]

Is the glue just along the top edge? Or all the way around?

I'd love to avoid dealing the string, which appears inevitable if you go in the back way. In fact, even with removing the string it looks like the whole FM front end would have to come out. What a strange design.

[Mr Slabi]

Yes it goes all the way around, but like I said, if you're carefull it's a piece of cake. I had it apart and back together in about 30 minutes.

[Macaroon]

Sounds good. As soon as I find the X-acto knife and have a couple drinks to steady my hand, it'll be time for surgery. On second thought, maybe I'd better get some bulbs first.

Many thanks for the advice! I'll let you know how it goes.

[basicblues]

do you fix your own stuff ????????????????????????? i would rather know that i have people here to help me than take my chances local or on epray or endure the shipping charges from the large electronics firms

If you were referring to me, yes I work on everything I own including a real yamahammer and I am working on 3 receivers right now. I certainly appreciate all the help from other AK'ers (mainly Glenn) and I certainly wasn't flaming anyone. I was merely stating these type threads are frequent and the responses are almost predicable.


No, we just don't want a Marantz to end up like the one below. I could just switch my lamp hobby over to ePay but the fees would bump my prices up, oh well, if I needed the business I'd do just that.

Yeah, I've seen that photo several times before and I have a question? You suggest that the 250mv lamps available elsewhere are inferrer to your 200mv and they may be. I know the 200mv is what the service manuals call for on most Marantz receivers but do you think the 250mv would still be okay to use? The reason I mentioned this is because I've seen several vintage receivers with brittle, broken & melted plastic that had the stock value lamps installed.

BTW: I have no problem with you selling lamps through the thread pages of this forum, it's not my forum, however it would be easier if they just provided you a sticky so new members and old AK'ers could link you up quicker.

What you're interpreting as a sales pitch is actually a member here helping someone out.
There are a lot of people on here who have different gifts-dgwojo just happens to be our resident lamp guru.
I fail to see a problem with that.

Yes, I was already aware of that but IF there is a problem it's seems to be repeating itself. So let me ask: Can anyone or member offer to help by offering to sell or service in every thread or forum? IMO there's place already setup for selling and servicing in the classifieds.

NOW!!! Can you tell I am just having fun with my fellow AKers? How 'bout a little forum posting etiquette???

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE (http://albinoblacksheep.com/flash/posting.php)

[bikehorn]

i replaced the fuse lights in my Superscope with LEDs and the front is now a nice deep blue, not faded turquoise. looks great. i think everyone should use LEDs.

[EchoWars]

NOW!!! Can you tell I am just having fun with my fellow AKers? How 'bout a little forum posting etiquette???

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE (http://albinoblacksheep.com/flash/posting.php)Haven't seen that for a while. Too funny! :D

RE: The lamps. The burnt-to-hell Marantz would have likely done that regardless of what lamp was in there (was probably run with something covering the top for extended periods which exacerbated what is truly a bad design anyway), and I agree...I've seen many Marantz units that have some damage to those POS plastic lamp bezels regardless of what's in there, but it can't hurt to use a low wattage bulb.

[dgwojo]

Is this forum fun or what?? :banana:

I'll keep to the 8v/200ma fuse lamps with single layer glass like the originals for my prize receivers, everyone can use whatever they want in theirs!!! Yes, I do feel my 8v/200ma's are "far superior" to the 8v/250ma cheapo's, they costed me a fortune, they better be superior!! Actually I like when people use the the 8v/250ma's, most turn up at my doorstep in 6 months wanting the good stuff after the lesser ones burn-out!! :D

Basicblues, that was a great link, I had my speakers up a bit loud though!! :yes:

Remember, AK - All audio, no attitude!! :sigh:

[pfontherun]

Nice point, EW. Marantz definitely could have done better on that aspect of their engineering after doing lamps on my 2285B (which btw, recapping seems to have worked so far). I liked how my KR-9400's light bar was designed: steel. The bulbs are rather odd and I've yet to see any exact replacements for them, but a smarter design in terms of a housing. Say, if anyone knows where to get those bulbs, do tell. 2 of mine are toast.

[dgwojo]

I liked how my KR-9400's light bar was designed: steel. The bulbs are rather odd and I've yet to see any exact replacements for them, but a smarter design in terms of a housing. Say, if anyone knows where to get those bulbs, do tell. 2 of mine are toast.
Sorry, I'm staying out of this one, Dave. :nono:

dhenryp (http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZdhenrypQQhtZ-1QQfrppZ50QQfsopZ1QQfsooZ1QQrdZ0?)

[pfontherun]

Figures. Evidently I didn't look around quite well enough. Thanks, dgwojo. It was not my intention to rip on Marantz, but just their light housings. From experience, mine has a broken clip tab from changing lights. True, being careful is key, and I'd like to believe I was, but plastic that old is pretty tricky to make it behave.

[dgwojo]

It was not my intention to rip on Marantz, but just their light housings. From experience, mine has a broken clip tab from changing lights. True, being careful is key, and I'd like to believe I was, but plastic that old is pretty tricky to make it behave.You're correct, that plastic really sucks, I wish they would have used metal, Dave. :scratch2:

[basicblues]

Basicblues, that was a great link, I had my speakers up a bit loud though!!


Well I kinda had the same experience... I had my speakers turned up a little too much and everyone around here thought I was having a conversion with the "dark side" during that one part.

[willyrover]

I could not find the BLUE marantz fuse type bulbs required for the 1550. The dial on these units is not backlit, but rather painted on glass and lit from either end. I tried the clear which worked but was the wrong colour.

I dipped the bulbs in several coats of glass stain that you can find at most arts and crafts stores. Similar to this product:

http://www.misterart.com/store/view/003/group_id/8088/Palmer-Glass-Stain.htm

I was happy with the result. They still look good to this day.

[dgwojo]

I could not find the BLUE marantz fuse type bulbs required for the 1550. The dial on these units is not backlit, but rather painted on glass and lit from either end. I tried the clear which worked but was the wrong colour.

I dipped the bulbs in several coats of glass stain that you can find at most arts and crafts stores. Similar to this product:

http://www.misterart.com/store/view/003/group_id/8088/Palmer-Glass-Stain.htm

I was happy with the result. They still look good to this day.
If you don't have a lot of time on your hands, just slip a blue or green condom on, I have blue or green ones available, Dave. :yes:

http://home.earthlink.net/~dwojo/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/marantz_lamps_03.jpg