GC1195/1197 Replacement Parts (was: diffusers)

[Mark Shostak]

Lou,

I'm replying to the list so people can see my response, and hopefully I can
see theirs.

If people have any experiences or frustrations with this(these) Heathkit
clocks, please reply.

I have several of these clocks and obtaining replacement parts is an issue.

However, I'm not sure what part is most in demand. Is it the lenses? I've
listed some options, and am curious to see what owners need most often.

Replacement items:
- Lamps
- Lenses
- Standoffs
- Lamp Sockets
- Mostek Clock Chip
- Synth Chip
- Speaker
- Electrolytic Caps (*1)
- Repair FAQ (*2)

*1 - Caps are readily available; it might be nice to have them available in
a kit, if the price were reasonable

*2 - While writing this, it occurred to me to put together a FAQ, to keep
parts lists, cross references, parts sources and best practices in one
single place.

Any interest in a FAQ from anyone, or would this be a waste of my time?

For me personally, in order of volume, here is what I've needed on a
semi-regular basis:
- Lamps
- Caps
- Standoffs
- Sockets
- Speaker

To date, I haven't needed new lenses on the original clock I built in 1980,
nor the ones I've bought on eBay. When the standoffs break, the lenses
are usually floating around in the bottom.

Personal note: I'm a purist (mostly), so please no one tell me I can get
LEDs to replace the lamps.

Let's hear your experience!

Thanks,
-Mark

On Sun, Sep 20, 2009 at 2:50 PM, Louis Davidson <lou at loumsc.com> wrote:

> Hi everyone,
>
>  I am looking to source a new stock of diffusers for these clocks. The
> making of the prototype is fairly expensive and I was wishing to gauge how
> much interest there is in having replacements for these parts.  I am
> willing
> to foot the cost of development of these parts if there is enough interest.
> These parts have no available vendor and the original manufacturer of these
> parts (which I believe to be HTP Plastics) has gone out of business. I
> understand that most of the owners of these clocks have a sentimental
> attachment to them. With this is mind I am pursuing the option of producing
> and stocking these parts for the future. They can be easily damaged with
> constant removal due to the plastic standoffs breaking inside of them and
> when you try to remove the little pieces these diffusers will crack. Also,
> some people have either purchased these clocks used or had them in storage
> for a long time and some of the diffusers are missing. I don't have a
> retail
> price in mind as I have to see what interest there is to determine how many
> to have made on the first run. If you are interested, please drop me a line
> at lou at loumsc.com and mention that you are interested in purchasing some
> of
> the diffusers. One other note, I have to supply one of mine to be used as a
> model and I don't want to take that risk if there is no interest.
>
>
>
> Thanx,
> Lou Davidson
> Micro Service Center
>
>

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