Lamp Replacement Sansui 771 Viewer Request

In this video I go over the simple and straight forward method of removing the lamp housing of this Sansui 771. This was a viewer request and since I had the unit open at the time, I obliged.
#sansui771 #vintageaudio #retroelectrotech

[@pavil58yt]

Perfect and to the point video. So helpful. I just yesterday brought home a 661 and I'm betting the same steps will apply for the dial lamp replacement. 👍

[@retroelectrotech]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video and found it useful, my best to you, enjoy your newly acquired receiver :-)

[@jpreza]

Thanks for your help. Could you also show how you removed the function indicator lights? I have a 770 where the wires go inside that housing unit and I don't know how to separate it without breaking it. Thanks and peace love and music!

[@retroelectrotech]

Hello and pardon the delay, I've been extremely busy. I don't have the 771 (or similar model) in the shop anymore, they're back with the customers, so, I can't demonstrate the removal of / access to the function lamps. However, in most cases you should be able to pull on the base of the function lamps (within reason), maybe give them a "wiggle" and they usually pull out. Most of those lamps are "friction fitted" into the plastic lamp housing. If you have the main housing removed, you can give the function lamps a little push from the front with perhaps something that won't damage them. If they were soldered to a circuit board like some other makes / models it would be a different story and would of course involve removal of the board and de-soldering of the lamp etc. But in the case of those lamps that are pressed into the plastic housing, you just have to play around with them a bit, unless someone glued them in or something. By the way, the function lamps are all one piece, it's not a separate "bulb and socket" configuration, so the replacement lamp will need it's wires soldered to the board, or you could neatly "splice on" to the existing wires.

[@patriciawilson9666]

I just wanted to thank you for your excellent video and i followed it step by step to change the three dial lamps in my Sansui 551.It came off without a hitch.I do have one question if you don't mind.My tuner is definitely picking up stereo broadcasts but the FM Stereo light doesn't come on.I know i'm getting stereo because on older stuff like the Beatles etc. where stereo separation was much more drastic it's definitely not in MONO. I don't understand which lamp lights it up.Is it that little red LED light that sits between the dial lamp housing and the tuning meter housing? The tuning meter lamp is working and all the dial lamps work now so it must be the LED. If this is the case are replacements available for the LED and are they tough to change? It's no big deal deal but,if it's easy to fix i'd do it. Thanks for all your help.

[@retroelectrotech]

Hello Patricia, I'm glad everything worked out with replacing the bulbs. As far as the stereo indicator is concerned, I can't recall the exact layout of the 551, however, I do believe it uses one of those little 3mm (diameter) LEDS. You did mention a little red LED, so that must be it. I think the LED for that stereo light is mounted to a little board (but I could be wrong), or does it have wires coming off it to a board?. In any case it will have to be de-soldered and its replacement soldered back in. If you are comfortable doing so, then it should be fairly straight forward, if it is a bad LED of course. Again, if you are comfortable doing so, it would be a good idea to check whether or not you have DC voltage at the LED. I know the LED should be "fed" signal / voltage from one of the pins of a multiplex IC, and you'll probably see about 8 volts or so when tuned onto a station where you should have a stereo signal. When you are tuned into a stereo signal the LED turns on and then off when you are tune off of the stereo signal, which again you will see reflected in the voltage measurement on the meter (multimeter /DMM). of course, if you don't have a meter, and or are not comfortable performing such a test, by all means do not venture into trying it, especially when performing tests that require you to have the unit plugged in and powered on. If you think you want to replace it (if it's bad) feel free to send me a photo of it ([e-mail]) and I'll have a better idea of how it mounts, i.e., to a board etc., and what type of replacement will be the best option.

[@patriciawilson9666]

@@retroelectrotech Well,first thanks for all your help and for taking the time to explain this to me. Yes,you're correct the LED sits on a little board with two wires soldered to it.This board is situated between the dial lamp housing and the meter housing and looks pretty easy to get to.There is only one screw to undo. I'm going to take your advice and test first to see if the LED is still good and then go from there. After you explained it i now have a much better idea of how this LED is suppose to work. I'll let you know what i find out.Thanks so much.

[@patriciawilson9666]

Thanks! I'll bet this will work for my 551 also.I have just one dial lamp out but,is it best to just replace all four? I didn't know.Thanks for great detailed video.

[@retroelectrotech]

Hello there, yes, you might as well replace them all since you're going to be in there any way. It would be a good idea to use some swabs and alcohol to clean the contact surfaces of the sockets as well, just to assure good connectivity when you install the new lamps. Just be careful and unplug the unit while you're working on it. I'm sure you already know that, but just in case 🙂

[@patriciawilson9666]

@@retroelectrotech Thanks so much for the great tips.It's always a good reminder to unplug first before you do any work.I will make sure to clean all contacts with alcohol too. You know i have a 551,a 5050 and a G-2000.I just love that Sansui sound. Thanks again.

[@Ram-pi8fi]

Thanks for this. I have the 881 and suspect its the same as the 771 bulb replacement. Would this procedure alleviate the FM and FM Stereo indicator not lighting up too? Or is there something else needed to be done? Thanks in advance.

[@retroelectrotech]

Good evening, Your 881 is essentially the same as far as the bulb housing is concerned. However, You'll notice on Yours there are more indicator bulbs that span across the top portion of the housing (not including the meters)that are indicators for "stereo, phono, FM, AM, Aux 1 and Aux 2. As far as replacing just the stereo indicator bulb, yes, if the bulb is all that is bad then a replacement should resolve the problem. But if a new bulb fails to light, then You may have a connection issue / open connection elsewhere in circuit. A simple check of the wiring to the board may reveal loose connectivity / a bad solder joint. Also, on the power supply board, I believe fuse F01 is for the lamps (I'm going by memory on that). Additionally, the problem may involve an issue within the stereo MPX circuitry, which can be why the stereo indicator lamp doesn't light. Nonetheless, try a bulb first and see if that resolves the problem. Because I don't know what Your knowledge level is / ability to perform basic testing and beyond, I'm just mentioning the above possible problems to give You some general information. Be careful in there when You power up the unit to test the lamps etc. 🙂

[@Ram-pi8fi]

Thanks again. Will try that. Best regards!

[@WizardBalls29]

hi ,where can i get the bulbs ? Assuming they are the same on the 881 ?

[@retroelectrotech]

Hello, I "cut and pasted" the text from an answer I gave below concerning the same general question, the 881 uses the same bulb types, however there are more "indicator bulbs" used, that show function setting, i.e. AUX, Phono etc...the large "fuse type" bulbs / lamps for the dial face are the 8 volt fuse lamp variety, and the other lamps for the meters / function indicators are the 6.3 volt (or just 6v) 3mm "grain of wheat" bulbs / lamps. When I have to order them, I typically shop around a little, because there are so many people selling them, as well as selling lamp kits for the various Sansui receivers etc. You'll also see the LED version as opposed to incandescent. The incandescent variety have that "warmer" look, however, they also make some LED types nowadays that have a bit of a warmer look, so, whatever your heart desires ;-) You'll pay a bit more if you buy a lamp kit of course. But if you'd like that option a good seller on eBay is a guy that goes by Affinity For Artifacts / Peace Love And Music , and he sells all kinds of lamp kits etc., and he has good feedback. Just let him know what you need, I'm sure he'll help you out. I'll put a link to his shop below, however, there are a lot of options out there, hope that helps a bit. www.ebay.com/str/infinidimenterprises

[@bills8375]

Could you share the bulbs you used to replace these?

[@retroelectrotech]

Good afternoon, the large "fuse type" bulbs / lamps for the dial face are the 8 volt fuse lamp variety, and the other lamps for the meters are the 6.3 volt (or just 6v) 3mm "grain of wheat" bulbs / lamps. When I have to order them, I typically shop around a little, because there are so many people selling them, as well as selling lamp kits for the various Sansui receivers etc. You'll also see the LED version as opposed to incandescent. The incandescent variety have that "warmer" look, however, they also make some LED types nowadays that have a bit of a warmer look, so, whatever your heart desires ;-) You'll pay a bit more if you buy a lamp kit of course. But if you'd like that option a good seller on eBay is a guy that goes by Affinity For Artifacts / Peace Love And Music , and he sells all kinds of lamp kits etc., and he has good feedback. (I'll put a link to his shop below), so, there are a lot of options out there, hope that helps a bit. www.ebay.com/str/infinidimenterprises

[@jameshopkins7333]

Where are the function lamps?