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someguy
Junior Member
USA
31 Posts |
 Posted - 08/13/2012 : 09:58:33 AM
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I'd like to know if there is a way to make a switchlinc look exactly like an Icon switch. I have already tried putting the Icon switch frame around the switchlinc, but there are still two problems. The light bleeds through the plastic and it looks cheap. AND, most importantly: the LED color doesn't match. Yes, I've tried the "color change kits" for the LED, but it doesn't really match.
Yes, I am very particular, but I don't want to have my switches all look different. I have too many ICON switches and I don't want one or two to be different.
Has anyone soldered the right led bulb into their switch? |
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stusviews
Advanced Member
USA
8513 Posts |
Posted - 08/13/2012 : 12:07:03 PM
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| Do you even have a source for an LED that matches the ICON color? |
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someguy
Junior Member
USA
31 Posts |
Posted - 08/13/2012 : 12:34:35 PM
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| (although implied) this is part of my question. |
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EVIL Teken
Advanced Member
Canada
983 Posts |
Posted - 08/13/2012 : 12:41:31 PM
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Perspective: This will be a very long and expensive road to pursue.
Teken . . . |
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BLH
Advanced Member
3792 Posts |
Posted - 08/13/2012 : 3:10:29 PM
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Amber LEDs in the Icons you are trying to match?
Early Icons where Green LEDs.
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someguy
Junior Member
USA
31 Posts |
Posted - 08/13/2012 : 3:16:58 PM
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yes, Amber is the color I'm trying to match.
the other thing that would benefit me is that I would have a dual band switch that matches. I don't want to switch all of my switches, though. what a headache that would be. a little soldering would seem fun. :) |
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BLH
Advanced Member
3792 Posts |
Posted - 08/13/2012 : 4:01:56 PM
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I don't have any of the latest run 5.0+ Icons or Switchlincs I doubt the 5.0+ are different. All of mine have surface mounted LEDs for the level indicators and a single LED with leads soldered to the PCB for the Off Indicator.
I just looked at a 2477D Dual Band SwitchLinc Dimmer it used a surface mounted Off LED also.
Sorry I don't have any exact part numbers for a Amber LED that would match your Icons.
Going with single band may not be an option in the future. I see the 2476D SwitchLinc Dimmer is no longer on the sales pages. I would expect the 2476S to follow when they are out of stock. |
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someguy
Junior Member
USA
31 Posts |
Posted - 08/13/2012 : 7:07:25 PM
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does it look like a guy could solder a new bulb on the pcb? I have done that before.
I may not have been clear, but I AM interested in the dual band switch, but with the yellow LED and only one LED bulb. |
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stusviews
Advanced Member
USA
8513 Posts |
Posted - 08/13/2012 : 10:59:05 PM
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If your design issue is one yellow-like LED that matches across devices (totally understandable, IMO) while also taking advantage of dual-mesh technology, you may be limited to using ICON paddles with a yellow pipe kit on SwitchLincs.
Even if you find amber LEDs, you'd probably have to replace those on your existing ICONs too, for a good match.
BTW, I use a mix of light pipes (different rooms, different purposes, get different colors, e.g BR-green, heat-red). Depending on the viewing angle, some leak white 
But, overall, they look great. Only the installer notices the imperfections  |
Stu's Views is Education and Fun. What do YOU want to VIEW today?
MathLandia High school mathematics fun and learning.
Both Stu's Views and MathLandia are free websites that do not sell anything.
Saving energy is not always free. Be a world saver. |
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BLH
Advanced Member
3792 Posts |
Posted - 08/14/2012 : 03:53:03 AM
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If you look through the clear back of the 2476S or 2476D. The Off LEDs leads stick straight up and then are bent 180 degrees and are in through holes of the PCB and soldered. On the 2476D dimmer the triac is riveted to the metal frame so getting to the front of the PCB to unsolder the Off LED maybe tricky.
The level LEDS can be seen through the clear case so you should be able to see how they are mounted and what it may take to remove them as Icons don't have them. |
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ELA
Senior Member
277 Posts |
Posted - 08/14/2012 : 07:07:43 AM
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I recently removed a 2476D Rev 5.15 from service. Looking at it now and the surface mount LEDs are accessible from the rear ( no need to remove the triac).
The surface mount LEDS are a special type that emit light through a hole cut in the PCB.
If you could find an LED to fit your preference you could solder them on these version units. Taking it apart, unsoldering and installing a new surface mount part, voiding the warranty and putting it back together would not be all that fun. |
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BLH
Advanced Member
3792 Posts |
Posted - 08/14/2012 : 07:55:50 AM
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ELA, Do you remember if the Off LED was a leaded type and in through holes on the v5.15?
He wants to make them like a Icon with no level indicators and change the Off LED to Amber.
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skydvrz
Senior Member
USA
252 Posts |
Posted - 08/14/2012 : 08:45:12 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by someguy
I'd like to know if there is a way to make a switchlinc look exactly like an Icon switch.
Here is a link to surface mount LED sales:
http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en/optoelectronics/leds-75ma-discrete/524729?k=surface%20mount%20led
DigiKey is happy to ship a $0.50 order.
LEDs are cheap; The tools to install them are not. It will take a lot of skill to get the old one out without cooking the circuit board. Not to mention putting the new one in without destroying the LED. Surface mount components can't take much heat.
You'll have to consider the opportunity cost of replacing LEDs with the all personal time and tool costs involved, versus buying new switches.
DigiKey also sells precision soldering tools and the goodies you need to rework surface-mount PCBs.
It would be pretty cool if you could pull it off though 
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Best regards,
Kevin G. McCoy |
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ELA
Senior Member
277 Posts |
Posted - 08/14/2012 : 09:00:01 AM
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Brian,
All LEDs are the same. LED #9 is the off LED.
While you were in there you could remove the other LEDS to eliminate the bleed thru if you wanted. |
Edited by - ELA on 08/14/2012 09:01:19 AM |
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BLH
Advanced Member
3792 Posts |
Posted - 08/14/2012 : 09:36:10 AM
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Thanks for the photo.
So how it can be done depends on the hardware versions.
My older Icon and SwitchLinc modules used a LED with leads that where bent 180 degrees in a U formation and through a pair of solder pads on the PCB. For the Off LED and Surface Mounted ones for the level LEDs.
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Edited by - BLH on 08/14/2012 09:45:22 AM |
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stusviews
Advanced Member
USA
8513 Posts |
Posted - 08/14/2012 : 11:44:47 AM
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Amber surface-mount LEDs
more |
Stu's Views is Education and Fun. What do YOU want to VIEW today?
MathLandia High school mathematics fun and learning.
Both Stu's Views and MathLandia are free websites that do not sell anything.
Saving energy is not always free. Be a world saver. |
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Topic |
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Solder new little LED bulb into Switchlinc?
