"Spehro Pefhany" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 12 Jul 2006 21:34:59 -0400, the renowned "Fred Mann"
wrote:


"Chris Jones" wrote in message
...
Fred Mann wrote:

Hello,
I have a piece of audio gear which has an illuminated power switch.
The
LED inside flickers. Should I replace the LED, or is something else
at
play here? I was under the impression (for no good reason) that LEDs
are
like light bulbs - either they work or they don't -- no flickering.
Thanks!!
Fred

Are you sure it isn't a neon tube? They do sometimes flicker when they
are
old.

Chris

I took the switch apart, and the "light" may in fact be a neon tube. It
looks like a very small condom with a reservoir tip (sorry, but that's
just
what it looks like. I'm not sure if this is an LED, but the size is
similar.
Thanks again,
Fred

Yes, it's a neon. The tip is where they sealed off the glass tube in a
hot flame.

You can replace the neon bulb itself, but take note of the series
resistor and size of the envelope (for example):

http://www.chefung.com/neon/neon.html

If you mismatch the resistor and the neon you'll either get too little
light or shorten the lifetime.


Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany


Thanks! Is my local electronics store likely to have a replacement? If so,
will the resistor be matched up with the bulb when I buy it, or do I have to
bring the original resistor in (I accidentally chopped it in half trying to
bypass it -- don't ask).
Thanks yet again!!!!!
Fred