Greedy switch panel

[GHA]

In the middle of fitting one of these..
http://www.furneauxriddall.com/acatalog/info_VA_140.html
But each indicator light pulls too much power, I'm assuming they're neons, certainly not leds.
With one one it's 0.2A and 0.5A with all 6 on.
I've tried adding a resistor but that doesn't seem to help, to light up at all they need about 0.2A.
Switches look sealed so can't get in to swap out the neon or whatever it is.

Any ideas? Or just leave them unlit.

Tia

 

[Nigel-in-Oxford]

they are small filament bulbs. I disconnected the earth from them to switched all the indicators off

 

[GHA]

they are small filament bulbs. I disconnected the earth from them to switched all the indicators off

Think I'll do the same.
The ammeter obsession which led to the discovery of such massive draw in the first place will no doubt keep them all off unless completely necessary anyway

Ta

 

[rob2]

You could take them all through another switch so that you have the option of having them lit or not, no problem if the engine is on, but you can switch them off when sailing at night.

Rob.

 

[elton]

They aren't neons. Neons need 90v or so. If you can get at them, you could replace them with LEDs and appropriate resistors, and reduce the current draw to 50mA or so.

 

[nigelmercier]

They aren't neons. Neons need 90v or so. If you can get at them, you could replace them with LEDs and appropriate resistors, and reduce the current draw to 50mA or so.

+1

 

[GHA]

They aren't neons. Neons need 90v or so. If you can get at them, you could replace them with LEDs and appropriate resistors, and reduce the current draw to 50mA or so.

2nd post sorted the erroneous neon thing, they're filament, and they're sealed.
Unlit it is.

 

[nigelmercier]

...they're filament, and they're sealed...

That would be very silly.

 

[30boat]

I adapted leds to my cheap Taiwan made panel.Took a lot of soldering but it works very well.

 

[coopec]

In the middle of fitting one of these..
http://www.furneauxriddall.com/acatalog/info_VA_140.html


Are you sure you have the correct link? I am making up my instrument binnacle with indicator lights which are LED but they are very small (in 5 mm holders.)

 

[GHA]

In the middle of fitting one of these..
http://www.furneauxriddall.com/acatalog/info_VA_140.html


Are you sure you have the correct link? I am making up my instrument binnacle with indicator lights which are LED but they are very small (in 5 mm holders.)

That's the panel, yes. 1 indicater light uses the same as my sound system, can't have that now, can we

 

[coopec]

That's the panel, yes. 1 indicater light uses the same as my sound system, can't have that now, can we

I was getting http://www.furneauxriddall.com/ Home Page. Only once have I seen the switch panel.

Would I be correct in thinking the rocker switch lights up when it is on?

 

[GHA]

Would I be correct in thinking the rocker switch lights up when it is on?

Not any more,

But that's the idea, yes, just took 0.5A to light all of them.

 

[coopec]

Not any more,

But that's the idea, yes, just took 0.5A to light all of them.

Would these be any help?. These are white but you can get red, blue, green.......

View attachment 40631

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/20-pcs-P...=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item258167fc02

 

[GHA]

Would these be any help?. These are white but you can get red, blue, green.......

View attachment 40631

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/20-pcs-P...=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item258167fc02

Ta, could come in handy for other stuff and maybe wire into the panel one day, too big a jobs list for this week

What would be nice would be an accurate voltmeter on the panel connected direct to the batteries, anyone tried one of these? Or recommend similar? Ta

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Blue-LCD-..._Measurement_Equipment_ET&hash=item4aa38d9c61

www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAc1nsKlHH0

 

[Stemar]

I have a red LED version , but paid about £2 for it. It seems reasonably accurate when compared with my (cheap) multimeter. May draw more current than the one in your link.

 

[lpdsn]

I have a red LED version , but paid about £2 for it. It seems reasonably accurate when compared with my (cheap) multimeter. May draw more current than the one in your link.

Me too. Don't think it has a high current draw, but I put a rocker switch in series with it anyway. Bumped the project cost up to £3.

 

[coopec]

Ta, could come in handy for other stuff and maybe wire into the panel one day, too big a jobs list for this week

What would be nice would be an accurate voltmeter on the panel connected direct to the batteries, anyone tried one of these? Or recommend similar? Ta

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Blue-LCD-..._Measurement_Equipment_ET&hash=item4aa38d9c61

www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAc1nsKlHH0

I have an analogue voltmeter meter installed on my panel but your digital should be fine.


GHA don't be conned like I was. I bought a pre wired LED in a metal mount for $5.95 View attachment 40644


when I could have bought 20 lights for $3.99 View attachment 40645

and 50 mounts for $6.08 View attachment 40646


They sell plastic mounts as well which have a longer thread