Alps SKCL Yellow
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This article requires photographic illustration |
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| Manufacturer | Alps Electric |
|---|---|
| Family | Alps SKCL/SKCM series |
| Product code |
SKCLAR SKCLFQ SKCLFM |
| Introduced | ca. 1988[1] |
| Discontinued | ca. 1998[1] |
| Precedes | Alps SKBL Yellow |
| Supersedes | Alps SKCL Green |
| Switch type | Linear |
| Sense method | Metal contact |
| Actuation force | 58.8 cN |
| Keycap mount | Alps mount |
| Switch mount | Plate mount |
Alps SKCL Yellow, or Yellow Alps, is a linear switch in the "complicated" Alps SKCL/SKCM series.
Contents
Description
Yellow Alps have an LED recess; the LED occupies the position where the tactile or click leaf should go. Typically this recess is left empty. It appears that switches ordered without an LED pre-fitted lacked the LED holes in the lower shell.
Yellow Alps appears to be the longest-running product in the SKCL/SKCM series. It appears to have been introduced around 1988, with approximately two years' overlap with Alps SKCL Green; the latter appears to be slightly lower in force. The earliest Yellow Alps switches had long slits and no Alps logo, but by 1990 or so the mould had been replaced with one with the Alps logo and short slits. The SKCLAR/SKCMCQ data sheet along with MouseFan's data suggests that the slits were never removed.
Variants
Known variants include:
| Switchplate Color | Switchplate Length | Alps Logo | Generation |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | Short | Logo | Pine (with slits) |
| Part number | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|
| SKCLAR | No LED fitted? | 1994 catalogue |
| SKCLFQ | Red LED fitted | 1994 catalogue |
| SKCLFM | Green LED fitted | 1994 catalogue |
Keyboards
- Some ASkeyboard Sono1[2]
- C.itoh CIT482F[3]
- Some Emerson KCLEA907L[4]
- Emerson KFCLEA916A[5]
- Graphite 101-key[6]
- Some IBM Multistation Keyboards (IBM 5556)
- Intecolor AGS[7]
- Mitsubishi M-6905-1 & M-6905-1N[8]
- NEC PK-KB015 (USB)[9]
- NEC PC-9801-114[10]
- NEC PC-9801-98-S02 M-System[11]
- Packard Bell KCLEA907L[12]
- Some Reudo Rboard Pro[13]
- Some Sharp X68000
- Sharp Personal Workstation[8]
- Sharp UE-1K02[8]
- Unisys K32B[14]
- Unisys KB1[15]
- Zenith 163-73
- Some Zenith Z-150
- Some Zenith ZKB-2 & ZKB-2R
Keypads
- Some IBM Micro Cadam LPFK (Lighted Program Function Keyboard)[16]
As LED Keys Only
- Some Focus FK-5001
- Some Focus FK-8000
- Some Wang 725-3770/3771
- Wang 725-7231-US
Gallery
Colour comparison with Alps SKCM Amber (right)
Yellow vs Green
Unscientific strength comparison
Return spring comparison
SKCLAR
The following used switches originated in a Zenith ZKB-2 AT keyboard.[17] They are assumed to be SKCLAR as they match the 1994 Alps catalogue specification. Being shipped without LEDs fitted, the base does not accept LEDs without suitable holes being drilled into it.
Side view
Rear view
No LED holes in base
SKCLFQ
The following switches are NOS surplus from China. They are assumed to be SKCLFQ (per the 1994 Alps catalogue) based on their characteristics.
SKCLFQ (SKCLAR+red LED) and SKCLAR (no LED)
Front view
Side view
Adapted base design; note LED leg holes
Bases, seen from below
Base comparison; note the clearance recess for the LED in the securing tab on the left switch (SKCLFQ)
LED recess
LED retaining shelf
Internals
Return springs
Specifications
- 5454_31 (SKCLAR and SKCMCQ)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 MouseFan — ALPS (Japanese only) Retrieved 2015-07-21.
- ↑ Atelier Silencium — Keyboards with Alps switches Dated 2014-03-02. Retrieved 2021-10-13.
- ↑ YouTube — C.itoh CIT482F Keyboard Typing Demo Alps SKCL Yellow Uploaded 2022-06-27.
- ↑ Imgur — Emerson KCLEA907L (Alps SKCL Yellow) Uploaded 2023-02-23.
- ↑ Imgur — Emerson KFCLEA916A (Alps SKCL Yellow) (Credit:SantiGoIt) Originally posted 2019-09-13.
- ↑ YouTube — Graphite 101-Key Keyboard Typing VideoPosted 2019-10-24.
- ↑ YouTube — Intecolor AGS Keyboard Typing DemoPosted 2020-09-03.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Atelier Silencium — AX & Alps Bigfoot Keyboard (Japanese only) Dated 2010-02-17. Retrieved 2015-07-21.
- ↑ MouseFan — NEC PK-KB015 USB JAPAN (Japanese only) Retrieved 2015-07-21.
- ↑ YouTube — NEC PTOS Keyboard PC-9801-114 ALPS Yellow Switch Uploaded 2012-02-16.
- ↑ Xahlee.info — NEC PC-9801 Keyboard, 1992 Updated 2020-05-06.
- ↑ ちゃたりたいね — PACKARD BELL KCLEA907L ALPS茶軸リニア (Japanese only) Dated 2013-08-25. Retrieved 2015-07-21.
- ↑ YouTube — Reudo Rboard Pro for Mac Keyboard Typing (Alps SKCL Yellow switch) 빈티지 알황 키보드 타건 Uploaded 2020-10-17.
- ↑ YouTube — Unisys Keycorp K32B F&M Typing (Alps SKCL Yellow) 빈티지 알프스 황축 기계식 키보드 타건 Uploaded 2021-01-24.
- ↑ YouTube — Unisys KB1 review (Alps SKCL Yellow) Uploaded 2020-07-03.
- ↑ Reddit — vintageJapanese IBM MICRO CADAM Lighted Program Function Keyboard (LPFK) from 1991 Posted 2020-09-13.
- ↑ geekhack — FS (Price Drops): Zenith (linear green alps) & SGI case
