buttons that don't work....what to do?

20 Oct 2018, 14:21

Greetings -

I have a V-Synth, the original keyboard version. Good shape overall, no issues, except......

3 of the buttons don't work dependably; the + OCT, the down button, and the right button. Any thoughts on how to fix these ? I've tried using them REPEATEDLY, but that doesn't really help. They either don't respond, or jump in value.

The two thoughts I had were

1) taking the darn thing apart.....but I don't even know what I'd do then, once I located the buttons,

and

2) dribble a little contact cleaner down through the top panel. The buttons have a little bit of room on their sides....maybe contact cleaner would help?

what do you guys think?

thanks

Ricardo

Re: buttons that don't work....what to do?

20 Oct 2018, 18:33

Contact cleaner will not work. That is because the buttons (switches) are 'protected' under a plastic cap. You will have to shoot tons of liquid before reaching the switch itself. The only solution is to open the v-synth and remove components until you reached the PCB where the button are soldered. Since this is a lot of work you will then want to replace the buttons, not just clean them, as this will last much longer and the switches themselves are inexpensive (well under $1 each).

You will need a tech to do this, unless you're god at electronics and at soldering.

LA

Re: buttons that don't work....what to do?

20 Oct 2018, 19:40

LA Keys wrote:
......and the switches themselves are inexpensive (well under $1 each)....
LA

Greetings LA - thanks for the info.

Do you know where I can get replacement switches, or have parts # info? I've looked around a bit, and have not turned anything up.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

thanks -

Ricardo

Re: buttons that don't work....what to do?

20 Oct 2018, 20:27

According to the service manual the OEM part is SKRGAED010, made by ALPS but was not in stock when I raplaced mine. ALPS SKQNAED010 switches are equivalent to the OEM. I actually can't tell what is the difference, maybe just the packaging?

Check mouser.com, they have both listed although only SKQNAED010 is in stock.

LA

Re: buttons that don't work....what to do?

20 Oct 2018, 20:38

FYI, if you need anything else you may also check syntaur.com. They have many parts for many brands of instruments. The only problem is that they sell for about 5 to 10x the price you will pay from a regular electronic dealer like mouser.com. Which is still good to know for parts that you cannot identify the number.

LA

Re: buttons that don't work....what to do?

21 Oct 2018, 00:57

LA Keys wrote:

the OEM part is SKRGAED010, made by ALPS

ALPS SKQNAED010 switches are equivalent to the OEM

LA

LA, thanks for the info -

I found both of these on eBay

SKRGAED010 > https://www.ebay.com/itm/50pcs-SKRGAED010-Round-TACT-Switch-ALPS-2Pin-White-6-6-5mm/253384856412

SKQNAED010 > https://www.ebay.com/itm/Alps-SKQNAED010-SPST-miniature-pushbutton-switch-Lot-of-100/180304492662

What do you think? If you had to get one or the other, which would you get?

thanks!

Richard

Re: buttons that don't work....what to do?

21 Oct 2018, 14:30

My first choice would be to buy from a reputable source of electronic components, so you're sure you have the real deal. Mouser.com have that part, there's no minimum order I believe, and shipping is reasonable.

My second choice would be to buy from someone in the US (second item from e-bay). (alltronics is an OK supplier but often sell overstock, or old stock)

I would definitively NOT buy from China as they are known to make inferior copy of the original item. I really doubt the first listing you mentioned is genuine ALPS product.

LA