I posted to
the WVDXA email reflector last Wednesday (Feb. 22) that I had ordered a
replacement lamp (LED illuminator board) assembly for my Yaesu G-800DXA rotator
controller from Ham Supply. https://www.hamsupply.com/yaesu-illuminator/ I indicated I would report back on
this little after-market device with a review for the club’s blog… well here
ya’ go.
Click on any picture to see a larger image.
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| Package Contents |
The lamp in my control box had gone kaput many years ago and
for various reasons, not the least of which is my failing eyesight, I thought I
would finally try to find a replacement lamp.
The other advantage of having the illuminated controller is that it
might serve as a reminder that I have left the control box powered up and might
want to turn it off.
The cost for the illuminator board was only $19.95 and with
shipping came to $22.90. So after
reading the review on the website link above, I decided this might be a good
investment and worth the try. In the mailbox Saturday (Feb. 25) was a small
padded envelope containing my next ‘big’ project. 
I sat down yesterday (Sunday) and following the simple, one
page instructions, and in about a half-hour’s time (probably take most people
20-minutes or less) I had my rotator controller lit up like a Christmas
tree. Yes, the 3 high intensity LEDs
that are on the illuminator board really light the face of azimuth indicator
dial up!
Even for someone like me who is not a hands-on tekkie type,
this project went smoothly and I was very surprised at how easy it was to take
the rotator apart (7 screws) and install the board.
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| Splicing the Wires |
The two wires going to the “old” lamp are cut and spliced to
the two wires on the replacement board using crimp butt connectors pre-attached
to the wires from the new board. Be sure
to note the polarity requirements… the instructions are very good here. I used
a “Super Champ” tool for the crimp connectors splicing the two wires. A “purist” may want to solder the wires
together and use heat shrink tubing however.
I guess the only caveat I would offer is to be careful to have the “right size” Phillips screwdriver when removing the screws so you don’t strip the heads. I used two different sized screwdrivers, one set was tight and I was beginning to round off the insets until getting a little different pattern.
I guess the only caveat I would offer is to be careful to have the “right size” Phillips screwdriver when removing the screws so you don’t strip the heads. I used two different sized screwdrivers, one set was tight and I was beginning to round off the insets until getting a little different pattern.
Conclusion: This is
definitely a great and an easy project that is a super “fix” for a common
problem with the Yaesu rotator controllers…. Actually all models, I
believe.
The factory lamps in the Yaesu controllers were not LED
technology, produced a lot of heat and as would be expected, had a relatively
short life. This little replacement board
with 3 LEDs is just the ticket for lighting up your controller face and seeing where
your antenna is pointed… and lighting it up it does!
I definitely recommend this quick fix, priced reasonably and
easy to install too! No soldering
required and all you do is take the controller apart, remove two screws, mount
the board with the two new screws provided, attach the two wires, put
controller back together.
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| Before (Left) and After (Right) |
Before and
After……. Now I see the light!!!
Post written by: Hal, W8HC
2 comments:
Having already replace the lights once in my GS-800 controller box these look like a great idea. I will probably be ordering a set and making the change. To anyone that has not chnaged out the factory installed lights I can say you are better off doing it with the LED set in Hal's post.
Hello Hal, and thanks for the write-up on our Yaesu Illuminator!
The two little nylon washers are glued to the board. You probably never saw them as they are on the underside of the PCB.
Take care my friend, thanks again!
Wayne, N0UN
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