National RS4360DFT LED MOD and cleanup

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Maxx134

Maxx134

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Hi I will be posting my progress in cleaning up and lighting up my National here.
This is the before pic:

9D320E72-orig.jpg


I had promised myself to not get carried away this time especially on this rare military looking box, but look how it was meant to be.. soft glow(!)
What you think..?
Just the dial left to replace stock bulbs with white Leds in the same locations for an upgraded stock look.
the stock meter bulb socket and location was used, only I added one other Led to light all three meters, instead of only two,
I also "de-oxit Gold" the controls..


50403554-orig.jpg


Also, the mic actually has LED under it's element, to not interfere and give a "glow" look.
My stupid phone camera makes previous photo look like Led its in hole but it is not, look:

95E38075-orig-1.jpg
 
Maxx134

Maxx134

Member (SA)
The controls were relatively easy to access and clean.
note that I only have red tube pointing for the photo,
and actual hole for all the pots are on the sides, not the top..
4717E93F-orig.jpg
 
Maxx134

Maxx134

Member (SA)
Box is almost done the foam holding the meters crumbled and had to be replaced.
I took pics and will post soon.
Gotta say my soft glow lit approach exudes a quality I hope to get better pics soon.
I am using newest Leds on market plus an "Analog Alley" LED controler so install is very professional,
plus original bulbs are untouched(!) and remain connected in unit without lighting!
As my approach is in making the yellow trigger "see" right thru them to ground.
So all original parts remain for reverting.

This unit is so sweet now as the "deoxit Gold" spray made the controls so smooth.
I hardly ever used it because of the loud dust in volume.
 
Superduper

Superduper

Moderator
Staff member
Maxx134 said:
I am using newest Leds on market plus an "Analog Alley" LED controler so install is very professional,
Click to expand...
When I saw the first picture, I was wondering how you rigged the lights so they remain lit. Now I know, and now it makes sense. How did you decide how to wire the controller and interface it with the RS-4360dft? It's cool to be able to retain the factory switch to toggle the lamps on/off rather than adding an aftermarket switch, isn't it?
 
Maxx134

Maxx134

Member (SA)
My technique is to always be able to light and see how it looks BEFORE I actually install them.
When dealing with LEDs, the slightest angle and positioning can make or ruin the intendid look.
So use a 12 battery pack to be able to check led placement while lit.

The existing light switch wich was similar in action to the m70.
I studied the circuit board for the optimal location to connect the controller.
I Decided to preserve those existing bulbs, 3 in parrallel after the switch and use them in the trigger path.
so together without removal and as is, they are in series with the switch, perfect for the yellow trigger from the controler.
So I removed the power to the switch, wich also preserves it by taking the load off of it and giving it to the controller.
 
Maxx134

Maxx134

Member (SA)
update my box is clean and complete
The intendid look was to be natural as if the box was meant to have this look.
I feel I have accomplished this, as I am extremely satisfied just how natural it looks,
using original locations and positioning of the leds.
You would not even think it is a LED mod as the color is so diffused and natural.
not overly bright, or beaming or directional, as most LEDs have a bad reputation of doing.
It is just a smooth glow.
It is how this unit should have come.
It is complete and looking like new!
Will take pics soon had to take a break lol


Will take pics soon had to take a break lol
 
Cpl-Chronic

Cpl-Chronic

Member (SA)
Looks pretty cool... you need better pics to bring out the light's qualities tho. It's hard to see how it really looks...
 
Maxx134

Maxx134

Member (SA)
Just like to say that I will not revert this box it can be turned off and next box I will light is another sanyo m9990, then the Toshiba wx1.

I will make them look as I feel they should have looked from begining.
That is why I mod every box, to what I envision they could be..
From what I consider a box of childhood memories, to a box that can bring new memories.
When these boxs were around in 70s, I was just a kid looking thru the store glass, and what I saw, was simply wondrously beautiful..
But those stores cheated as they shined light on them to make them sparkle..
And that is what I want them to look now. Wonderful and full of light, from within.
So I disagree views of some "purists" who say I would lower the collectore value.
In fact all my past boxes were all enjoyed by their buyers.
I respect collector value yet there are enough pure plain boxes in the world.

 
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