Arrakis began production of the SC series audio consoles in 1979 through 1987.
Models produced were SC150, 250, 500, 600, 1500, 2000 and 2100.
SOMEONE AT ARRAKIS – Several years ago, I bought a pair of Arrakis 150SC consoles. One of them had a broken latching switch. It stopped latching and became momentary. I called Arrakis for the part. He stated that parts for this console are obsolete and they had just thrown all those parts in the dumpster, but he would dig through the pile to see what's there. Believe it, or not, he called me back with news that he found boxes of those switches. “How many do you want?” I thought, well, since they're obsolete and there would never be any more, “I'll take all of them. He quoted me $50 each. Although I should have bought them, I bought just one.
After diving into a dumpster on his lunch break for old parts, he sounded disappointed that I bought only one. I responded, “$50 each for dumpster parts? I can't do that.” He sold me one switch and threw the remainder back in the dumpster, destined for a land fill site.
This experience disillusioned me with Arrakis. If there were 50, or maybe 100, @ $10 each, he could have made more in selling junk than he earned in a week. Did he do the right thing? I guess that depends on your morals. Maybe he is a “Company Man” looking for a promotion. My opinion of Arrakis is, give us your wallet and we'll do anything you want.
Let's start with the latching (Program) switch. There are six on the 150SC. The OEM part # for this console is 581K 23510. The chart below will demonstrate the switch selections. Also included is the PDF EATON catalog. Note: All you get is the switch. Lamps and colored caps are ordered seperately. Part #'s are provided in the catalog.
Program On/Off Switch
(6) Switches
Note: Switch Part # Here
Program Switch
Capacitor - 10 MFD @ 16v (Tantalum)
Resistor - 23.7Ω 1%
Channel Volume Pot
(6) Same P/N 26M974
Monitor-Cue-Headphone
(3) Pots Same Value 10K Ohm
Here is the catalog.
Button caps are mostly your preference.
PROGRAM SWITCH, LAMPS
The lamps inside the program switches are very specific, as per the Arrakis manual.
REPLACING THE LIGHT BULBS-use Microlamp ML-73 submimiature wedge lamps only. IMPORTANT the Microlamp is a T1 1/2 bulb (wich is smaller than the more common T1 3/4 bulbe (such as Sylvania 73) T1 3/4 bulbs will NOT fit in the switch.
Technical: T stands for tubular and the number represents 1 1/2 eighth inches, or 3/16", or 5mm.
REMOVING THE LAMPS
Everyone has their own method, mostly with needle nose pliars. I'm afraid of breaking the bulb and then how do you get the rest of it out of a very small hole? Through experimenting, I discovered that slipping a piece of heat shrink over the bulb and pulling quickly, will remove it. Don't heat the heat shrink. The correct size heat shrink will tightly fit over the bulb.
These bulbs are available through various suppliers.
Note: Although the Arrakis 150SC has a 12v supply, use a 14v lamp. It will last much longer.
