Does anyone know a source for replacement band cables for the Alps rotary selector switches used in squillions of integrated amplifiers? They are commonly a blue lattice with a stainless steel band inside, though in the picture below they are black.
The band / strap / cable connects a rotary control to a PCB mounted slide switch, commonly used for input selection, etc.
The band / strap / cable connects a rotary control to a PCB mounted slide switch, commonly used for input selection, etc.
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Those are custom made for the OEM, so the best source would be the parts people at those companies.
Here they are called space shuttle cables, you tell the shop owner how many conductors and how long...
They are used in dot matrix printers, and CD Rom drives, for example.
Unless you have need for the movement of the cable, as in print head cable, replace with flat ribbon cable of the best quality.
The flat cables tend to corrode at the sockets, remove the lot and put ribbon cables, or whatever you have handy.
Can't open the pictures, going by your description.
Unless you have need for the movement of the cable, as in print head cable, replace with flat ribbon cable of the best quality.
The flat cables tend to corrode at the sockets, remove the lot and put ribbon cables, or whatever you have handy.
Can't open the pictures, going by your description.
I don't believe they are a custom made item. In fact they are standard lengths and interchangeable. The part numbers in service manuals indicate the length. Thanks for the suggestion Maaco. I did try to get an automotive choke cable to work, without success - too stiff. I think a bike cable would be similar. I might be able to adapt a remote shutter cable for an SLR film camera, which is a bit more flexible.
Ah. You are way off-base.
This is a MECHANICAL part. Transfers motion from a knob to a remote switch. Like a motorcycle brake cable, except cheap plastic and flat.
Attachments
Don't use all the strands. A stiff fisherman's Nylon wire could also work.
The outer sleeve could be made of some plastic tubing.
Spray cans come to me in mind. It can be made of various sections and cut to length.
It is there only to maintain tension.
Unlike simple tape recorder record / play switches which were spring loaded, the Alps band is not under tension; it has to both push and pull to move the slider switch mechanism.
OEMs buy things like pots from Alps or similar sources to spec. The Alps catalog lists options and you generate your own custom part number for the pot you want, then they make them for you. Options include body size and shape, bushing length and thread, form of terminals, shaft length, shaft shape, etc. Anything is possible, but it seems relatively unlikely these remote actuated switches are off the shelf items.
I could be wrong, of course, but I suspect the Alps catalog will offer various options when ordering these switches. Among them would be how many positions the rotary actuator has, how many sets of contacts the switch part has. The length of the steel tape part. It likely could be ordered in discrete lengths.
Thanks Enzo. Unfortunately Alps / Alpine do not list this type of switch anymore. As the bands are interchangeable, defined by length, and used across hundreds of different switch configurations I am pretty sure that they were a seperate part ordered separately.
The bands break. There are millions of consumer audio items that used them. I am surprise it is so hard to track them down as a spare part. I can't even find them listed by people who break up old electronics for spare parts.
The bands break. There are millions of consumer audio items that used them. I am surprise it is so hard to track them down as a spare part. I can't even find them listed by people who break up old electronics for spare parts.
I was way off base without the pictures.
Now, since they have to work both ways, a suitably thick and flexible wire, with an outer sleeve, will have to be thought of, and the means to attach it at the ends.
Please post close up pictures of how the cables are attached at the ends.
A car or bike cable, or the type of cable used to work the A/c flaps in the direction selector, seems most easily available.
I mean the cables between the selector and the mechanism that allow you to choose air flow on the feet, face, windscreen and so on.
They are short too, and work in tension and compression, transferring movement from slide or rotary selectors to the inner flap or whatever the mechanism is inside after the blower.
Some are used for the speed selector also, for transfer of movement of knob to the series resistor of the blower motor, which is sometimes not directly operated, in that the resistor switch is physically distant from the speed selector.
Ask a car A/c technician...
Now, since they have to work both ways, a suitably thick and flexible wire, with an outer sleeve, will have to be thought of, and the means to attach it at the ends.
Please post close up pictures of how the cables are attached at the ends.
A car or bike cable, or the type of cable used to work the A/c flaps in the direction selector, seems most easily available.
I mean the cables between the selector and the mechanism that allow you to choose air flow on the feet, face, windscreen and so on.
They are short too, and work in tension and compression, transferring movement from slide or rotary selectors to the inner flap or whatever the mechanism is inside after the blower.
Some are used for the speed selector also, for transfer of movement of knob to the series resistor of the blower motor, which is sometimes not directly operated, in that the resistor switch is physically distant from the speed selector.
Ask a car A/c technician...
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Thanks NareshBRD. There is a tab that engages with a slot in the switch slider. There is a plastic housing that snaps onto the band and then clips onto the switch body to hold everything in place.
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You will have to find a suitable cable, and machine new tabs with suitable ends to attach to the tabs.
Tedious...
Use acrylic sheet for the tabs, easily found and worked.
Most adhesives work, unlike on other plastics.
ABS will be even more suitable for adhesion, bit will wear out faster.
Tedious...
Use acrylic sheet for the tabs, easily found and worked.
Most adhesives work, unlike on other plastics.
ABS will be even more suitable for adhesion, bit will wear out faster.
Does anyone know a source for replacement band cables for the Alps rotary selector switches used in squillions of integrated amplifiers? They are commonly a blue lattice with a stainless steel band inside, though in the picture below they are black.
The band / strap / cable connects a rotary control to a PCB mounted slide switch, commonly used for input selection, etc.
Hi, did you manage to solve the problem? I have a cable like yours that is broken, but I can't find it. It comes from a Pioneer A-80 amplifier (speaker selector off A B A+B). Thanks in advance!Does anyone know a source for replacement band cables for the Alps rotary selector switches used in squillions of integrated amplifiers? They are commonly a blue lattice with a stainless steel band inside, though in the picture below they are black.
The band / strap / cable connects a rotary control to a PCB mounted slide switch, commonly used for input selection, etc.
