I am trying to replace the LED for Balrog in my LOTR. Balrog is currently using the LED Stern upgrade kit. It looks like the socket is for a #44, but it is using a 12.8v LED? Or at least the LED that came with the kit installed is 12.8v. I tried a 6v CT LED not realizing the voltage difference, it lit for a couple of secs and then went out. When I pulled the bulb out of the socket it was smoking hot, I'm assuming due to 13v running through it. Am I missing something really basic? What LED should I be using in this? No one even seems to sell 12.8v #44 style LEDs and I really don't want to buy the whole conversion kit again, just for the LED. Any help? Thanks

That's what I figured. It seems no one carries the replacement Stern part though and I can't find anyone that makes an aftermarket #44 12.8v LED. What are other folks doing to replace this LED?

Interesting, this actually may help a ton. Thanks for the lead. My last resort was going to be to replace the socket with the original #89 and just use an #89 LED. Not sure why Stern didn't go this route originally and instead had people change the socket. But I'll give these a shot. Thanks again

No I have a standard. I think it was one of the later runs that had the LED conversion kit installed at the factory as I'm positive the guy I bought it from didn't install the kit himself. I can't believe this LED is so hard to find and the question hasn't come up more seeing as how LOTR is such a popular pin.

The problem is Stern, for whatever reason, changed the bulb socket to a #44 style in their Balrog LED conversion "fix." They then proceeded to produce 12.8v "flasher" LEDs to fit the #44 socket (which are no longer available of course).

My ineloquent (quick and dirty) solution ended up being just ordering another Balrog fix kit which includes the LED. Thank God for action pinball which apparently still has a couple of the kits kicking around as pretty much every other usual source is sold out.

I think there's at least one other Stern that used it too, POTC maybe? Marco has them in stock actually but only the blue color.

You're on a mission my man, good stuff. I'll have to check some of these out to see how they work. Hopefully this will help others too. I'm surprised more LOTR owners haven't chimed in with their solutions.