Alps pot disassembly and repair

[ikorman]

Hey! Been a while since I posted. I got am amp with an alps volume potentiometer that needs service. The pot, not the amp.

I could have sworn I have seen a YouTube video that shows disassembly, and I found some but they are for the older metal-cased pots. The one I have is a blue plastic one, with two long screws holding it together.

Can someone clue me on on how to take it apart? I was able to get the rear part off but that doesn’t get me to the bent brushes or contacts.

As an option, maybe someone knows where to buy a replacement for this Alps dual 100k with a Loudness taps and d-shape shaft?

Thanks in advance!

 

[OMGCat!]

I've seen people take them apart enough to spray cleaner inside and I'm sure if you do some looking you'll be able to find the threads. I've had a few units with those pots and have always had luck getting the scratchiness to go away by turning the pot back and forth a bunch of times.

 

[ikorman]

I've seen people take them apart enough to spray cleaner inside and I'm sure if you do some looking you'll be able to find the threads. I've had a few units with those pots and have always had luck getting the scratchiness to go away by turning the pot back and forth a bunch of times.

It’s not just dirty. It’s got a brush that’s bent.

 

[OMGCat!]

Ah, I see that you wrote that now. I'd search "disassemble Alps pot audiokarma" in google and see what comes up. I know I've seen it done here before.

 

[the_nines]

I am also looking for a specific potentiometer part number from Alps, contacting them was a breeze and they were very helpful.

Here's a list Alps Electric (North America) Inc sent me of their authorized distributors (in North America, I would guess):

Avnet
Bisco Industries, Inc.
ChipOne Exchange
Diversified Tech (DTI)
Future Electronics
Kensington Electronics
Marsh Electronics, Inc.
Masline Electronics
Master Electronics
Motion Micro
Mouser Electronics, Inc
Radar Electric, Inc.
Relay Specialties
State Electronics
SIE Connect
Walker Components Group

If you're lucky, you will find the specific part and are able to order one (or two). Otherwise, you must order a minimum amount.

In my case, I finally found the part I was looking for with Mouser Electronics, BUT, had to place a minimum order of 500 pieces.

I would be very interested to see how successful you are as I am also interested and will be following this thread closely.

Good luck.

 

[regore]

Ikorman is correct. The wiper arm loses its tension or gets misaligned. Cleaning no help. These are really cheap mini pots.
All three level adj. pots failed on my electronic crossover. I soldered a jumper from the wiper arm to the high side of each pot on the pc board which bypasses them altogether. I just leave the pots fully clockwise and adjust the levels with the amps. Beats not having to throw it in the trash. Most new crossovers I've checked are all XLR or TRS in and out. I need rca type connectors.. I'm not going to replace all my interconnects.

 

[Blue Shadow]

Ikorman's description seems to fit the larger "blue beauty" Alps volume pots.

Common names for the ALPS pots are the older, discontinued, better Black Beauty and the current Blue Velvet for the ones commonly found sticking through the faceplate of audio gear.

Is there a way to determine a real Blue Velvet if one has to resort to buying a single from out there not from an authorized distributor? Do any real ALPS pots get sold by other than authorized sources?