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Can you not measure the voltage with a VOM? Are you thinking of scraping the " plastic light tube/fiber optic." and installing the LED in the case of the power feed?
Busy Bee 12-36 lathe, Busy Bee Mill drill, Busy Bee 4x6 bandsaw, Homemade 9x17 bandsaw, Ad infinitum.
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05-14-2013, 08:10 AM
(This post was last modified: 05-14-2013, 08:17 AM by Highpower.)
(05-14-2013, 07:06 AM)stevec Wrote: Can you not measure the voltage with a VOM? Are you thinking of scraping the " plastic light tube/fiber optic." and installing the LED in the case of the power feed?
That's exactly what I was thinking Steve. Yes, I could have taken it apart to measure it with a VOM, but I was fairly sure it was 110-125VAC. I just didn't want to take it apart now, and have it down until I could obtain another lamp for it. Even though the original light is working you can't see it from above. You have to be down at eye level, which basically means on your knees on the floor. I'm constantly forgetting to turn the power switch off because I can't see the dim glow when I'm standing in front of the mill.
Rather than replace the original neon bulb and light pipe with a LED, I think it would be easier to replace them with a 120V panel mount/pilot light. They come in neon or incandescent styles and can simply be soldered to the board.
Something like this:
Willie
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Personally, my approach is to isolate the power to each machine, ensuring that any accessories are powered down as well.
The annoying one is the cordless drill battery that spends a week on charge
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Willie,
You may want to look at a style like this one where the light protrudes out so you can see it easier.
Ed
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(05-14-2013, 08:46 AM)Mayhem Wrote: Personally, my approach is to isolate the power to each machine, ensuring that any accessories are powered down as well.
The annoying one is the cordless drill battery that spends a week on charge
Well, I'm half way there Darren. My lathe and mill share a 120V and 240V circuit which get turned off if I'm not using the machines. The power panel is already full so I can't split them up. It's not a problem since I don't use both machines at the same time. I just don't like having power running to the table feed when I'm using the lathe - because I forgot to turn it off.
I'm guilty of the battery charger thing as well.
Willie
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Mine gets left on most of the time, that little neon light is hard to see in the dark, especially with the usual layer of protective grim my machines seem to get.
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Greg
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(05-14-2013, 09:42 AM)EdK Wrote: Willie,
You may want to look at a style like this one where the light protrudes out so you can see it easier.
Ed
I agree Ed, The only problem there is you have to be careful of the overall length. I don't know how much space there is inside the housing. May have to mount it externally.
Willie
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(05-14-2013, 11:56 AM)f350ca Wrote: Mine gets left on most of the time, that little neon light is hard to see in the dark, especially with the usual layer of protective grim my machines seem to get.
Exactly! Fortunately the newer model I put on the knee has a very bright ring light surrounding the rapid traverse button. That one I can see from the other side of the shop.
Willie