Eric '63 Crown Four-Door '72 Newport Custom sedan
From: "mike sutton" <mikanlin62@xxxxxxxxxx> Subject: IML: alternative sources for EL power pack parts Date: Wed, 22 Sep 2004 22:54:00 -0700 Reply-To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx As many of you probably know, the 66-67 Charger uses an electroluminescent power pack lighting system that is electrically and functionally identical to the ones in the Imperials that uses EL lighting, as far as the power pack goes. Today on the Charger list a member posted some information regarding parts suitable to repair faulty components in an EL power pack.
I know Dick Benjamin did an excellent job with a schematic of these units and from experience I know they are not difficult to work with as long as the transformer is good. Many people have used Radio Shack for a parts source , but I have found that often the local store just gives me a blank look when I want a particular component other than a RC car of cell phone.
The following excerpt from the Charger list post gives a very good supplier of electronic parts, I have used this company for work related items for several years now doing avionics projects. I hope it will be useful to someone. The rest of this post is copied from the posting on the Charger list.
Mikey 62 Crown Coupe
My source is Newark Electronics (http://newarkinone.com <http://newarkinone.com/> )
I found a capacitor that very closely resembles the original in physical and electrical characteristics. The original was rated for 0.05microfarad [mfd] @ 330VAC and the replacement I found is 0.047mfd @ 630VAC (2000Vdc) but that's close enough. Higher voltage tolerance is always better in a capacitor. It's Newark stock #48F3940. It's round with axial leads and almost the exact physical dimensions. Very pricey for a capacitor @ $2.29 each. Our caps measure L=1.438 & d=0.532. The replacement I found is L=1.339 & d=0.591. It's also a film cap like the originals but in a more modern casing without the wax.
I also found two types of replacements for the transistor. One is virtually an exact replacement in physical and electrical characteristics but rather expensive at about $15 each. It's a true Germanium PNP transistor like the original. (NTE121 - Newark Stock #29C4423) The other also has the correct physical characteristics but the electrical characteristics are slightly different. It's still a PNP but is a cheaper silicone transistor. It will function perfectly well and is about $5 each. (NTE219 -Newark stock #29C8652) I prefer the NTE121. The 219 has a lower current gain than the 121 and some of the voltage parameters on the 121 are more robust.
The following are replacement resistors that most closely resembled the originals in style, color, physical dimensions, and electrical characteristics. A resistor is a resistor, so Radio Shack and other electronics outlets (even Newark) will most likely have perfectly acceptable replacements for less money. Just give them the resistance and wattage and take your pick. As I said, this info is primarily for the purists. Even though resistors seldom go bad, at 35 year old it's very likely they shifted values somewhat. If I have to repair a power pack, I also replace the resistors just so I don't have to worry about it later.
For the 1.5ohm @ 5 watt resistor I found an exact replacement in physical as well as electrical characteristics. It is a true wire-wound resistor in a white ceramic fire proof rectangular case, just like the originals. There are many other perfectly functional styles of fire proof resistors but they do not have the same "look". It is Newark stock #33C8895 and sells for $.040 each (expensive for a resistor).
For the 1.5K ohm ½ watt resistor I found Newark stock #84N2195 @ $0.07 each. It is slightly smaller than the original but is a carbon resistor like the original. It also has the resistance code bands like the original. Many of the newer resistor styles do not have the bands and are not carbon.
Finally, for the 50 ohm one watt wire-wound resistor I found Newark stock #02F1195 @ $1.31 each. Definitely expensive for a power resistor, but this one closely resembles the original in physical dimensions. It does not have the exposed wires like the original but it is a true wire-wound (with a brown ceramic coating) and it's the closest I could find.