Author Topic: SOLVED! Original Channel LED specs  (Read 5187 times)

tlmaen

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SOLVED! Original Channel LED specs
« on: January 23, 2025, 08:52:11 AM »
Hi,
what are the original LED specs in the Channels (green, red, yellow)?

Thanks,
Tilmann
« Last Edit: December 14, 2025, 06:29:36 PM by tlmaen »
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amillar

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Re: Original Channel LED specs
« Reply #1 on: January 23, 2025, 07:04:58 PM »
Nothing special, just standard 3mm LEDs. We changed manufacturers several times as far as I remember.

The LEDs for the routing switches were hand selected for colour matching, but you would need to be very keen to do that!

Do you have any particular concerns about the specification?

Thanks,

Andy
co-designer and project manager G series analogue 1987
channel strip designer J series 1992-93
design "caretaker" 4000/6000 1985-93
analogue team leader ARC/Bertha 1988-92

tlmaen

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Re: Original Channel LED specs
« Reply #2 on: January 24, 2025, 02:54:32 PM »
Thanks Andy, I was more interested in the Voltage and Ampere rating...
So its standard 3v 20ma?

Thanks,
Tilmann
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amillar

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Re: Original Channel LED specs
« Reply #3 on: January 24, 2025, 07:37:44 PM »
For current, yes standard LEDs that are labelled something like 20mA are what you want. What you don't want are LEDs that are labelled "low current" or "ultra brightness".

LEDs don't have a voltage rating, all red LEDs drop about 1.8V, all green and yellow / amber LEDs drop about 2V, it's set by physics. (In fact the 6000 desk there's a circuit in the 688 (the mix amp I think?) that uses this constant voltage property of LEDs.)  You can get "LED lamps" that are rated at, for example, 12V, but these are just assemblies of an LED and a resistor.

Here's an example of an LED that would work as a red LED, but there's loads of similar:
https://uk.farnell.com/multicomp-pro/mp006834/led-ultra-red-180mcd-637nm-t-1/dp/3648334

Hope that helps,

Andy


P.S. Here's a story about LED types. There was one special desk we made for a broadcaster where they wanted to use the routing matrix to create "mix minus" feeds - so they could have 31 of the 32 LEDs on at once. This would have overloaded the power supply and probably blown the 611 fuses, so I specified low current LEDs for this desk. Unfortunately I somehow forgot to change the resistor value on the production parts list - until one of the Sarahs in assembly came to me and said, totally seriously, "we like these high brightness LEDs"! I probably went as red as the LEDs...thank goodness Sarah happened to mention it, I don't think those LEDs (or the fuses) would have lasted long...


 
 
co-designer and project manager G series analogue 1987
channel strip designer J series 1992-93
design "caretaker" 4000/6000 1985-93
analogue team leader ARC/Bertha 1988-92

tlmaen

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Re: Original Channel LED specs
« Reply #4 on: December 12, 2025, 10:03:40 PM »
Hi Andy,
thanks for the Link.
Unfortunately, this LED doesn't work, its way to bright.

I have ordered about 20 different LEDs this year, couldn't get any one to work out of the Box.
I need to change the Resistors from 300ohm to something higher to dim the LEDs.

Really annoying to find the right LED.
Nowadays they are also a lot smaller or missing the ring at the bottom of the Bulb.

I will report if I found a good combination of LED and resistor.

(If anyone of you have a good source for a drop in replacement, please share it with me?!

regards,
Tilmann
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Clip6

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Re: Original Channel LED specs
« Reply #5 on: December 13, 2025, 02:55:00 AM »
https://ebay.us/m/oSLq4s

He's an ssl guy. He had an old stock bag of red leds.

tlmaen

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Re: Original Channel LED specs
« Reply #6 on: December 14, 2025, 06:07:55 PM »
Thanks for the tip, Clip6!
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tlmaen

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Re: Original Channel LED specs
« Reply #7 on: December 14, 2025, 06:28:39 PM »
I had luck with my latest LED order.

Its Exactly like the original LEDs used by SSL (maybe 5% brighter, very subtle but pleasing).
Same viewing angle, shape and physical dimensions, diffus.

The Specs are:

2.1 V DC     Forward Voltage
20ma DC    Forward Current
700nm       Wavelength
2mcd         Luminous Intensity
35°            Viewing Angle (the number looks narrow, but the visibility is like the original LEDs)

Manufacturer: Bivar
The Mouser Order # is: 749-3RD-F
https://eu.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Bivar/3RD-F?qs=GLEjZbDuyKOT6Qg8hCnkyw%3D%3D

Datasheet:
https://www.mouser.com/datasheet/3/112/1/3RX-X.pdf

Thanks for your help!

Regards,
Tilmann
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Clip6

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Re: SOLVED! Original Channel LED specs
« Reply #8 on: December 15, 2025, 12:15:55 AM »
Cool