Yamaha EQ-630 LED help needed

Dean guitar pla

I pulled out some of my old Yamaha equipment out (TX-930 tuner, EQ-630 equalizer and KX-W602 cassette deck) and the EQ displays do not light up but the unit works perfectly. Possible problem? I doubt the LED displays for the spectrum analyzer are toast but if they are, where can I get replacements? When I initially fired it up, only one side lit up. I shut it off and a few minutes later tried again, neither side lit. Anybody here on the forum have any ideas? The EQ is considered pretty rare so I'd like to save it if possible. I removed the cover and cleaned what little dust that was evident and checked all the associated connections for the display

Thanks,

Ron

Dean guitar pla

Anyone?

audiobliss

It uses LED's? Are they behind a screen of some sort and just used as backlighting, or are they up front and you see the LED itself?

I have a Yamaha KX-W900U tape deck (if I got the number wrong (likely), it's in my sig), and the backlighting on one side is dimmer than on the other. I hadn't thought about it being an LED...

Dean guitar pla

I am not sure of the term, that is why I said LED. It is some sort of light panel that shows the frequency levels in the spectrum analyzer

Here is a borrowed image from eBay, both sides of mine are not lit but the unit works perfectly otherwise

audiobliss

Ahh. That's the exact same kind of display my tape deck has. It has different colors other than just red, but it looks to be the same thing.

I haven't mustered the courage or found the time to open it up yet and find the source of the problem. I wonder if it's just as simple as replacing a bulb. That'd be nice.

dorokusai

I'm pretty sure its a flourescent display and it's usually one piece, ribbon cabled to a PCB.

audiobliss

Oh shucks. That wouldn't be so easy to fix. Why would one side be dimmer or, in DGP's case, it work intermittently? Does that usually mean it's just on its way out?

dorokusai

It's easy but finding the part may not be. You could try Yamaha via email or contact one of the service centers listed on the homepage.

They usually completely fail and need to be replaced. I've found a couple rare parts thru Vance Baldwin.

Good luck.

DarqueKnight

Some Yamaha components from the 80's and 90's used backlit liquid crystal display (LCD) panels. Yamaha believed them to be more reliable than the commonplace vacuum florescent displays of that time. My Yamaha TX-1000U tuners have a backlit LCD panel as well as the MX-1000U power amps that I used to own. The LCD panels typically used one or more small bulbs behind them.

The red color of Yamaha LCD panels actually came from a translucent red rubber cap that fitted tightly over the bulb. The heat from the bulbs causes the rubber to become dry and brittle over time. Heat may also cause the rubber to stick to the bulb causing it to tear off in pieces or crumble away when you try to remove the bulb cap.

Yamaha may still sell the bulbs, but the rubber bulb caps are no longer available. I had to improvise when I needed to replace some of the bulbs behind the LCD display on one of my MX-1000U amps. I removed all of the rubber bulb caps and placed a piece of red transparent film behind the LCD panel. I ordered a sheet of red plastic (gel) film from a company that sold stage lighting equipment. I needed a colored film that could stand up to the heat generated by the bulbs and the amp.

If you call Yamaha and the bulbs are no longer available, they should be able to recommend a suitable replacement from another vendor.

audiobliss

Thanks for the info. I'll have to open up my tape deck now one day and take a look.

DarqueKnight

dorokusai wrote:

They usually completely fail and need to be replaced.

I had three Akai tape decks (Two GX-9's and one GX-R99) where the vacuum florescent displays went out. No replacement part was available from Akai or any other parts vendor. Imagine having to throw away three nice tape decks simply because the display took early retirement.

dorokusai

DarqueKnight wrote:

I had three Akai tape decks (Two GX-9's and one GX-R99) where the vacuum florescent displays went out. No replacement part was available from Akai or any other parts vendor. Imagine having to throw away three nice tape decks simply because the display took early retirement.

Thank you for the clarification and I've felt your pain DK.

Window tint film, depending on manufacturer, can be used for color as well. As mentioned previously, it's temp dependent. You'd be suprised as to how hot a small bulb can get in audio gear.

RuSsMaN

Would I? Would I REALLY be suprised?


Would it be like space monkeys and macaroni? Freeway on ramps and skateboards? Tartar sauce and stray dogs?

Suprise me.

Dean guitar pla

Thanks for the info. I will get in touch w/ Yamaha and see what I can do. The EQ works well, just no lightshow so adjustment can be made by ear at least. I imagine if the flourescent displays are not available, I will just sell the unit for parts. One place I visited for parts for it had the main board for $400... talk about highway robbery!!!

If someone here has the displays, LMK

http://www.partstore.com/ModelDetail.aspx?MfgId=155&ModelID=172791&close=0&exact=1

Dean guitar pla

Well, I emailed Yamaha and I will admit got a speedy reply. This is what they had to say for replacement parts:

Hello Ron,
PX600600 it is available and priced at $109.76
PX600440 it is available and priced at $106.08
Please add $5.00 shipping charges.

Regards,
Yamaha Parts

To contact the Parts Dept, please call (714) 522-9888.
We take Visa, Mastercard and American Express.
Our telephone hours are 8AM to 4PM PST Monday thru Friday.
Our fax number is (800) 634-0355. Our address is Yamaha Electronics Corp
at 6660 Orangethorpe Ave in Buena Park, CA 90620.
Thank you for purchasing a Yamaha product


As much as I like this eq, I cannot see paying that much to refurbish it. I wonder why the difference in price between the two sets LOL. For what they are asking, I could get a good Audio Control C-101 and have change to spare. I am in the market for an eq if anyone has a decent one for reasonable. I do have a BSR EQ-3000 w/ rarer antique finished front plate but I need another for other duties

Thanks for the input!

F1nut

Dean guitar pla wrote:

The EQ is considered pretty rare so I'd like to save it if possible.

Thanks,

Ron

So, you find the parts are available, but now you don't want to spend the money. Hilarious!

Dean guitar pla wrote:

I am downsizing my collection. If anyone is interested, I can post a list of what I wish to part with. I only collect super clean examples overall

Beatles, Doors, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple + older and newer items. Also have a few 1964 Beatles magazines. Also a bunch of rock sealed lps, WLP's etc. 60's and 70's groups, might be something you are looking for

Figured I might check here before I offer them on eBay

I would consider trades also for things I might need!

Thanks,

Bill

So, which is it, Bill or Ron???

DollarDave

F1nut wrote:

So, which is it, Bill or Ron???

That took a keen eye. Almost, almost, as good as Shizlebs calling out that other BS in the FS thread tonight.

DollarDave

DaveMuell wrote:

That took a keen eye. Almost, almost, as good as Shizlebs calling out that other BS in the FS thread tonight.

BTW, where does he get the "Dean..." part?

F1nut

I have that answer.

Dean guitar pla wrote:

Sorry, if you feel that it is inappropriate to list this here, I will remove it

I am a repected board member of the Dean Form, Ultimate Guitar, Jemsite, Redlinesonline, HWC, The Redline Club and am a Moderator for Diecastlive

My intent was not to sell here when I joined, the lps were mentioned and others expressed an interest

I offered the amp here since this is an audiophile site, I can pull it if you'd like

As you can see, he's a REPECTED member, not to be confused with respected because if he's really respect worthy, he would have known how to respect this forum.

RuSsMaN

'Dean Markley' is a guitar manufacturer, so the name makes sense to me.

What doesn't make sense is the Ron / Bill thing...... Will, Bill, William, etc, sure - but Ron and Bill aren't even in the same neighborhood.

Cheers,
Russ

DarqueKnight

F1nut wrote:

So, which is it, Bill or Ron???

Maybe it's both. Maybe this is a couple of guys working at a pawn shop looking for parts and repair info on a piece they want to sell.

Dean guitar pla

My full name is Ronald William Michaels, hence the Bill

My family calls me Bill because my Dad's name was Ron also so that avoided confusion at home. My girlfriend calls me by my first name and since my Dad has passed, that is what I go by now however, my family still calls me Bill. After 42 years, I wonder why?

As for what I want to do with my piece of equipment, that is my choice

BTW, I'd like to congratulate those who have never mispelled a word in a post...

F1nut wrote:

So, you find the parts are available, but now you don't want to spend the money. Hilarious!










So, which is it, Bill or Ron???

Dean guitar pla

Ever hear of "Dean" guitars? I play and own them



When I chose my user name Dean guitar player, the site cut off part of "player"

Any other questions?

DaveMuell wrote:

BTW, where does he get the "Dean..." part?

DarqueKnight

Dean guitar pla wrote:

I don't know what your problem is but then again, I don't really care

I know you said you didn't care, but here is some info anyway.

The problem is that, from time to time, people just "pop in" to unload some merchandise and then disappear into the night. Previously, this has led to forum members being taken advantage of. Typically, a con artist is not going to take the time to become a particpating, contributing member of the forum, hence the prohibitation against posting in the flea market unless 25 posts have been made. However, even that rule is somewhat problematic and easily skirted. Check out the case of a member who made 25 junk posts consisting of noting but a series of slash marks, just so he could offer something for sale: Bshivers Clearance Sale and Bshivers Exposed.

In the case of you signing your posts with two different names, it did give the appearance of someone using aliases or perhaps two different people using the account. Almost all of us have more than one name (first, middle). Some of us have two or more middle names. Even with that, it is unusual for a person to use more than one name in the same social setting. At the least, it can generate confusion. At the most, it can generate suspicion.

Thank you for the name clarification.

Dean guitar pla

I see your point however, my posts are not slashes and I am still here and almost to 100 posts now. I try to only contribute post wise what I am familiar with, can relate to or have a question about

Yes, I have posted some items to sell but I deliver and it will be as described. If someone is not happy with an item, I will be glad to do whatever to make them happy though I never had a problem before

Anyway, I have contacted a few Mods about this so hopefully this nonsense will end

Thanks for your input

DarqueKnight

If you go to the 4th page of the partstore.com link, you will see that the parts numbers are for LCD panels rather than floresent display panels. Also, the price quoted there is cheaper than what Yamaha is asking (usually, it is the other way around).

As I stated previously, LCD panels rarely go out, it is usually the bulbs behind them that go out. You might want to call Yamaha parts in California and ask to speak to one of their repair technicians regarding your displays. I have always found them to be very helpful.

Here is a picture of some of the bulbs and bulb caps that illuminated the LCD display of my Yamaha MX-1000U power amp.

Dean guitar pla

You piqued my interest so I opened her up. You are correct, it is just the bulb to connector part that you show going into a shroud

I eased the bulbs out and flashed a flashlight inside while a cd was playing w/ the unit on. The unlit displays show perfectly working



This changes things very much in regard to keeping it because other then the lit displays, the unit functions perfectly. I would image the parts would be pretty inexpensive

You wouldn't have two of those extra would you for a price???

Thanks for your help,

Ron

EDIT I called the Parts site and they are not available but I think I can match up the bulbs with another of same millivoltage requirements, again. my thanks for your help

DarqueKnight

I do not have any spare bulbs.

disneyjoe7

You will have to figure out what the voltage is to the bulb and it's Ma draw. Maybe marked on the side of bulb you will need to remove to find info. New bulb should be soldered and heat shrinked tubing over repair area wire, as you will need to cut wire and spice in new bulb.

Good luck but it looks like an easy repair.

Polkersince85

Covers and lamps


http://www.partsexpress.com/webpage.cfm?&WebPage_ID=3&Cat_ID=48&ObjectGroup_ID=911

http://www.partsexpress.com/webpage.cfm?WebPage_ID=64

F1nut

Dean guitar pla has just replied to a thread you have subscribed to entitled - Yamaha EQ-630 LED help needed - in the Electronics forum of Club Polk.

This thread is located at:
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49855&goto=newpost

Here is the message that has just been posted:
***************
Dude, you are one very irritating person

My full name is Ronald William Michaels, hence the Bill

Any other questions??? My family calls me Bill because my Dad's name was Ron also so that avoided confusion at home. My girlfriend calls me by my first name and since my Dad has passed, that is what I go by now

As for what I want to do with my EQ, that is my choice

I don't know what your problem is but then again, I don't really care

Perhaps you'd like to meet in person and I would be more then happy to introduce myself. You need some manners taught to you my friend or do you hide behind your computer screen playing big man w/ an attitude. I have received many pm's to just ignore you and your buddy Dave, I wonder why???
***************

Aren't you the smart one, making threats on a public forum. :rolleyes:

I'm your huckleberry.