Sony HP-511A lamps - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

spaceford · 21st Mar 2017, 4:51 pm

Hello, I'm new to vintage audio and getting used to the idea that when a seller says "All working perfectly", their understanding of "perfectly" and "working" is different from mine!

I've just got hold of a Sony HP 511a - it's a tuner/amp/TT stereo system from 1972. I'm a little disappointed because it looked like it had an adjustable counterweight on it (and I think the 611a, which contains a Dual deck actually does) but this seems to be pretty set.
Anyway, till I get a cartridge for it, I won't know how well the TT works. For now, the rest all works fine but the lamps behind the tuning screen are all blown.
Does anyone know where I can find replacements? Are these pretty generic? Can't seem to find a mention of them in the service manual.

Many thanks.

Diabolical Artificer · 22nd Mar 2017, 6:16 am

Replacements can be found but you'll need to get the old ones out so you can find the voltage and wattage
(wattage? nots sure that's a word; rated watts)

On some vintage hifi it's possible to convert to using LED's. Takes a bit of work though.

Andy.

saxmaniac · 22nd Mar 2017, 7:44 am

I found suitable lamps on eBay, you have to hunt a bit to find physical size and wattage but with the stereo beacon I ended up wiring about 3 leds in series with a suitable resistor value decided by experiment. Sorry I can't be more specific but it was a few years ago

saxmaniac · 22nd Mar 2017, 7:48 am

Also re the cartridge, It is a magnetic type and the stylus is available but if it needs a new cartridge you could try an Audio tecgnica AT91 which is good value magnetic cart. The machine iia cheapo model which can work ok but though it looks quality it's not very solidly engineered

camtechman · 22nd Mar 2017, 10:56 am

As far as bulbs, you can get various types from Model Railway shops.

spaceford · 24th Mar 2017, 6:09 pm

Thanks for all the replies. I've managed to open the machine up and after nearly choking on over 40 years of dust and nicotine, I've identified there is one pilot light (4.5v/40ma) and one dial lamp (12v/5w).

I haven't found exact matches online - what would happen for example, if I used a 6v 60ma for the pilot light?

As for the dial lamp, I cannot fathom how to get to it. I've got the front panel off and I think I know where it is, but I can't see it. From the diagram, it looks like it might be a festoon lamp possibly? But it's buried behind the dial and might need dismantling the tuning string, which is daunting!

Diabolical Artificer · 26th Mar 2017, 6:30 am

"what would happen for example, if I used a 6v 60ma for the pilot light? " - it would glow less brightly.

Sqires and similar modelling shop's do a range of small bulb's.

Andy.

saxmaniac · 26th Mar 2017, 7:55 am

With the pilot light by which I think you mean the stereo beacon? Don't let the current consumption go above 40 ma in case you overload the circuit driving it. The bulb you mention should not be a problem though. With the dial lamp I can't exactly remember but it's a festoon type and you don't need to remove the cord drive. You might have to remove the dial glass but I don't remember it being any problem

Michael Maurice · 26th Mar 2017, 10:43 am

You can get all types of lamps here

gazrawly · 31st Mar 2017, 11:36 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by spaceford

Thanks for all the replies. I've managed to open the machine up and after nearly choking on over 40 years of dust and nicotine, I've identified there is one pilot light (4.5v/40ma) and one dial lamp (12v/5w).

I haven't found exact matches online - what would happen for example, if I used a 6v 60ma for the pilot light?

As for the dial lamp, I cannot fathom how to get to it. I've got the front panel off and I think I know where it is, but I can't see it. From the diagram, it looks like it might be a festoon lamp possibly? But it's buried behind the dial and might need dismantling the tuning string, which is daunting!

Hi there

I am also restoring one of these at the moment. There are actually two dial bulbs (one on each end of the illuminator assembly bar). You need to remove the wooden case first and then pop the two black metal clips out from the sides (i've uploaded pictures for you below).

Did you manage to source replacements of these? They are a micro festoon by the looks of it.

Gareth

gazrawly · 1st Apr 2017, 12:14 am

I managed to figure out the text on the Festoon using a magnifying glass. Stanley 12V5WPE. I'll try and source replacements later

21st Mar 2017, 4:51 pm	#1
spaceford Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 9	Sony HP-511A lamps Hello, I'm new to vintage audio and getting used to the idea that when a seller says "All working perfectly", their understanding of "perfectly" and "working" is different from mine! I've just got hold of a Sony HP 511a - it's a tuner/amp/TT stereo system from 1972. I'm a little disappointed because it looked like it had an adjustable counterweight on it (and I think the 611a, which contains a Dual deck actually does) but this seems to be pretty set. Anyway, till I get a cartridge for it, I won't know how well the TT works. For now, the rest all works fine but the lamps behind the tuning screen are all blown. Does anyone know where I can find replacements? Are these pretty generic? Can't seem to find a mention of them in the service manual. Many thanks.

22nd Mar 2017, 6:16 am	#2
Diabolical Artificer Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Sleaford, Lincs. UK. Posts: 7,662	Re: Sony HP-511A lamps Replacements can be found but you'll need to get the old ones out so you can find the voltage and wattage (wattage? nots sure that's a word; rated watts) On some vintage hifi it's possible to convert to using LED's. Takes a bit of work though. Andy. __________________ Curiosity hasn't killed this cat...so far.

22nd Mar 2017, 7:44 am	#3
saxmaniac Heptode Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Birmingham, West Midlands, UK. Posts: 618	Re: Sony HP-511A lamps I found suitable lamps on eBay, you have to hunt a bit to find physical size and wattage but with the stereo beacon I ended up wiring about 3 leds in series with a suitable resistor value decided by experiment. Sorry I can't be more specific but it was a few years ago

22nd Mar 2017, 7:48 am	#4
saxmaniac Heptode Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Birmingham, West Midlands, UK. Posts: 618	Re: Sony HP-511A lamps Also re the cartridge, It is a magnetic type and the stylus is available but if it needs a new cartridge you could try an Audio tecgnica AT91 which is good value magnetic cart. The machine iia cheapo model which can work ok but though it looks quality it's not very solidly engineered

22nd Mar 2017, 10:56 am	#5
camtechman Nonode Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Milton Keynes, Bucks. UK. Posts: 2,552	Re: Sony HP-511A lamps As far as bulbs, you can get various types from Model Railway shops. __________________ When I die, please don't let my Wife sell my collection for the amount I told her I paid for it!

24th Mar 2017, 6:09 pm	#6
spaceford Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 9	Re: Sony HP-511A lamps Thanks for all the replies. I've managed to open the machine up and after nearly choking on over 40 years of dust and nicotine, I've identified there is one pilot light (4.5v/40ma) and one dial lamp (12v/5w). I haven't found exact matches online - what would happen for example, if I used a 6v 60ma for the pilot light? As for the dial lamp, I cannot fathom how to get to it. I've got the front panel off and I think I know where it is, but I can't see it. From the diagram, it looks like it might be a festoon lamp possibly? But it's buried behind the dial and might need dismantling the tuning string, which is daunting!

26th Mar 2017, 6:30 am	#7
Diabolical Artificer Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Sleaford, Lincs. UK. Posts: 7,662	Re: Sony HP-511A lamps "what would happen for example, if I used a 6v 60ma for the pilot light? " - it would glow less brightly. Sqires and similar modelling shop's do a range of small bulb's. Andy. __________________ Curiosity hasn't killed this cat...so far.

26th Mar 2017, 7:55 am	#8
saxmaniac Heptode Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Birmingham, West Midlands, UK. Posts: 618	Re: Sony HP-511A lamps With the pilot light by which I think you mean the stereo beacon? Don't let the current consumption go above 40 ma in case you overload the circuit driving it. The bulb you mention should not be a problem though. With the dial lamp I can't exactly remember but it's a festoon type and you don't need to remove the cord drive. You might have to remove the dial glass but I don't remember it being any problem

26th Mar 2017, 10:43 am	#9
Michael Maurice Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Wembley, Middlesex Posts: 7,224	Re: Sony HP-511A lamps You can get all types of lamps here __________________ Forum Moderator http://www.michaelmauricerepairs.co.uk/

1st Apr 2017, 12:14 am	#11
gazrawly Tetrode Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 60	Re: Sony HP-511A lamps I managed to figure out the text on the Festoon using a magnifying glass. Stanley 12V5WPE. I'll try and source replacements later