6 replies to this topic

[atari2atari]

Greetings, fellow 8-BITers!

I have been enjoying my ATARI 400 for some time, but recently I noticed that the red LED that usually is lit when the power is on no longer works!

I'm no stranger to the soldering iron, and I spent some time looking around the 'ternets for any clues on what type of LED this is, and how to replace it, but have had no luck!

Can anyone point me in the right direction? Also, is a failing power-LED a sign of something else going wrong?

THANKS!

-a2a

[bob1200xl]

LEDs pretty much never burn out, but I see bad solder joints on them often (had one yesterday...). Try just re-soldering the leads.

Bob

[atari2atari]

bob1200xl, on Wed Jan 25, 2012 11:46 AM, said:

LEDs pretty much never burn out, but I see bad solder joints on them often (had one yesterday...). Try just re-soldering the leads.

Bob

Thanks, Bob!

That's what I was thinking - - I mean, they are LEDs, they are (nearly) forever, right?

I am going to get into the unit this weekend; I will try resoldering the LED to the board.

I appreciate the response!

-a2a

[bob1200xl]

As long as you will be in there, get a spare LED. Just about any normal (not hi-powered) LED will work. Look very closely at the leads inside the plastic - you will see that they different up at the die. Just orient the new LED like the old one and you should be OK.

Bob

[atari2atari]

bob1200xl, on Wed Jan 25, 2012 2:02 PM, said:

As long as you will be in there, get a spare LED. Just about any normal (not hi-powered) LED will work. Look very closely at the leads inside the plastic - you will see that they different up at the die. Just orient the new LED like the old one and you should be OK.

Bob

Thanks again, Bob.

I will grab a potential replacement from Radio Shack, just in case. I was thinking that a blue or classic orange might be a nice replacement, if needs be, but, yes, I will try resoldering first and see if that fixes it.

http://www.radioshac...ductId=12611320 - - orange "diffused" could be nice and fit in with the ATARI colors

http://www.radioshac...oductId=2062572 - - and, green has a certain appeal

http://www.radioshac...oductId=2102850 - - or, "classic" blue (is it me, or does EVERYthing nowadays have blue LEDs??)

-a2a

[bob1200xl]

Well, be careful. The Blue LED looks like a hi-powered device and ypu listed 3mm and 5mm sizes. Look at the specs and stick with something less than, maybe, 20ma?

Bob

[atari2atari]

Good call - - I'll carefully measure the mm on the lamp width, and I appreciate the advice on keeping it less than 20ma!

I'll have to go poke around in-person at the 'Shack after taking the shell off the 400 and examining the LED. Wouldn't want leads that were too short, either . . . !

-a2a