Early power switches
Do you assume that all Kaypros came with a chunky black switch? Well the earliest models had some variety for the switches used.
For the serial numbers less than #4000 it appears that they used an Alco MLSA206N switch which was much smaller. I would guess it was hard to find on the back of the computer so they changed to the bulkier switch to make it easier to find. While they used the same switch they changed the case’s mount and screws used at about #2800.
After about #4000 they switched to Arrow 260211E which is the same bulky switch that they would use throughout the rest of the traditional Kaypro machines. But there were many different colors used up to #17000.
There are a few serial numbers that don’t fall into the apparent groupings. I believe these are due to having to replace a switch after the fact, maybe an odd switch being left at the bottom of a bin at the factory and for some reason being the one that they reached for in the factory or the machine being preassembled and not given a serial number until it went out the door.
See the tables below for those early machines that I have seen in person or in pictures. If you have a Kaypro with a serial number below #17000 please send me a complete picture of the rear of your machine at ______. I will include your machine in this listing.
| #2837-3590 About 300-2800 of these |
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#2561 |
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#2749 |
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#2775 Note: In my collection, fuse holder likely replaced |
| #2561-2775 About 1400 of these |
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#2837 Note: From the manual |
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#3249 |
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#3309 |
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#3590 Note: In my collection |