Bryan wrote:
Chuck Harris wrote
....
Mouser sells that same lamp (by Chicago Miniature Lamps) for $0.43 each
in a pack of 10. They have no minimum order.

-Chuck

Cool. Because of pricing, I've found myself buying from Mouser (and even
Allied) more often and Digi-Key less often. For dial backlights, I think
I'll give the white LED another try, the next time around. I want to try a
friend's suggestion to file/grind off the lens in order to increase the
dispersion angle.
Bryan WA7PRC


I've done that as well. In some cases where I can, I will string 3 or 4 LED's
in series and use them to light up the dial.

White LED's are funny devices. As I understand things, they are actually
blue LED's with a phosphorescent component added to the plastic of the package.
The phosphor is what makes them radiate white. I have a suspicion that filing
them may damage the color. Old fashioned GaAs LED's dispersion can readily
be improved by filing the end of the lens.

-Chuck