Replacement power switch for Ampeg v4?

[MikeH]

Anyone know where to source these switches? They seem to be impossible to find. It the late 70's model with a rocker switch for the power, as opposed to the earlier style with the metal toggle-type switches.

This one spits out sparks if you turn it on too slowly!!

[nosaj]

Why don't you open it up and look at why it's sparking could be corrosion. You probably can't make it worse so why not try.

Also a picture might help.

You could try here
Antique Electronic Supply


jason

[g1]

Like this?
Fliptops
Not sure why a regular rocker wouldn't work (unless it has to be white?). Is it an odd size? I would think mouser or somewhere like that would have a rocker available with a high enough current rating, probably 15 amps?
Just to note, any rocker will probably arc if you switch it slow enough. Not sure about shooting sparks though.

[Enzo]

Yes, if I recall - more and more an iffy proposition - those old switches are of dimensions no longer used.


Wow, they still have the shock mounts. $8.50? I still have a bag of them in my drawer. I suspect they will last longer than I will. I have never had to replace one.

[MikeH]

Like this?
Fliptops
Not sure why a regular rocker wouldn't work (unless it has to be white?). Is it an odd size? I would think mouser or somewhere like that would have a rocker available with a high enough current rating, probably 15 amps?
Just to note, any rocker will probably arc if you switch it slow enough. Not sure about shooting sparks though.

Yes, I think that may be it! They are kind of a long, slim design. Most standard sizes I've seen don't fit.

As for the sparking, it definitely got progressively worse over the 5 years or so, that I used the amp on a very regular basis. It got to the point where I would simply plug the amp into a power strip, flip the amp on, and then flip on the strip.

[Ronsonic]

Don't have a specific recommendation for that switch, but over the years I've opened a lot of mounting holes to adapt to switches that were a little larger than the original. Check the catalogs and find something that will either fit, or almost fit. Preferably in a "standard" size for future repair.

[not]

I have a V5 head. The one with a narrow red illuminated on-off switch and an amber standby. My switches got whacked one day by a mic boom counter-weight. I was out of the room at the time. Later, no one knew what happened but it was pretty clear to me. At the time I had used it for 25 years without untoward incident. Oh well. At least there was no other damage.

Sparks may come from the neon bulbs that are in the switches if they are damaged or if a lot of crud gets inside the switch.

After mine were crushed, I didn't have any trouble sourcing them. I pulled them out and read the labeling on the switches. Mine were made by Shinden Japan ("SDW-112A-13#2 RB" for red and DB for orange). I phoned. Shinden doesn't sell them in small quantities and I didn't need 100. I searched everywhere. At the time, this was 8 years ago, somebody was selling Shindens one by one on Ebay for $25 apiece. I didn't bite since in those days it was a $2 switch. I found a good match in an Eaton 1600R11E and 1600A11E at Allied. These switches needed a slight shim glued to the side to make a tight fit. Recently, I happened to be searching the net and happened upon a company in CA that imports the Shindens and sells them for $7.50 apiece. That seems a lot more reasonable. and I may buy a pair just to return the amp to stock condition.