@PLCProf posted:Devil's advocate - The outside lead is very poorly attached to the bayonet cylinder, and that is the source of the failure.........
Seeing that these are made in China, there could be no solder at all on the sleeve. Just "spring tension" on the lead holding it against the sleeve.
@GregR posted:..Although there is space for a diode, it would add some complexity to the manufacturing process. Frankly, I doubt there is enough of a market to justify the cost of making LED bulbs that are truly meant for an AC power source.
For now, I'm not giving up on the LED's. I have a ton of 1.0A silicon diodes laying around that can be soldered and shink-tubed in place where needed...
I realize in your layout application you can externally add 1A diodes "before" the LED bulbs. But for anyone who is ambitious and wants to add the diode inside the bayonet base, consider the 1N4148 which is rated at 0.2 Amps which is plenty for the application. This is the diode used in the linked thread earlier where the LED-replacement bulb has both resistor and diode.
The 1N4148 is easily found for less than 5 cents in small quantity. But it's physically much smaller. Albeit the leads are closer to 0.02" than 0.03" diameter for the 1N400x. Thus it's a bit more flexible which may not play well with advocates of friction-fit. Maybe put the 1N4148 in-series with the resistor...this leaves the stiffer LED cathode terminal as-is.
