Bush DAC90A dial lamps

[AlanBeckett]

I'm entirely resistant

Alan

[Skywave]

I'm quite happy with the way my problem with this DAC90A has finally been resolved: time for a few concluding remarks.

In an earlier post I wrote:

Anyway, I'm glad you [David (Yorkie)] brought this [transformer modification] to my attention: thanks . . . but I wonder why I didn't think of that solution . . . perhaps because it is too damn obvious!
Al.

In retrospect, I think I was a bit harsh on myself with that comment. Why? Because when you have an item like that DAC90A in front of you, with the dial light configuration under consideration, you simply can't help but to focus on the existing arrangements for improving the dial illumination based on what the cct. actually is! And in so doing, it blinds you to the possibilities of solving the problem by standing well back, and thinking 'outside the box' - a DAC90A-shaped 'box' in this case! The solution - i.e. the fitment of a transformer, mains-powered, with a low-voltage secondary - simply exclusively and only to power the dial lights, to me, seems to be a good example of lateral thinking.

Now I've always considered myself to be a lateral thinker, but after this exercise, I'm now not so sure. Perhaps there are degrees of lateral thinking. Whatever, it's certainly taught me a valuable lesson that when faced with an apparently insurmountable problem, I must try to find ways of looking at the problem in a holistic - perhaps sideways - way, and see if I can see the problem in the wider context.

Has anyone else here met similar apparently insoluble problems (and not necessarily in electronics) and then discovered a novel and unorthodox method of solving their problem? I have opened a new thread as a means for others to post responses to that question. As far as this thread is concerned, I now have nothing to add to it.

Finally, thank you to everyone who contributed to this thread.

Al. / June 2, 2013 //

[Yorkie]

One of the challenges of this mod is finding a spot to fix the transformer, and to find as small a transformer as possible. I've used encapsulated transformers from Rapid Electronics for other projects from time to time, basically, because thery're high quality, short circuit proof, compact and cheap. I've just checked the size and price of their smallest 6V encapsulated transformer, which has two 6V 0.75A windings (which could be paralleled of course), ample for the task in hand.

It's just 27mm x 32mm x 24mm high ( approx 1” x 1.25” x 1”), and costs just £2.86 + VAT + Post:

http://www.rapidonline.com/Electrical-Po...ers-500102

Neat eh?

There's the small problem of mounting, but I guess that (with a little lateral thinking!) a narrow metal strap could be fashioned to screw to the chassis somewhere.

The datasheet at the link gives all the details of the spec.

Hope that's of interest.