I'm an idiot - advice on Mouser order! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: LeoTech
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2018, 04:46:31 pm
content: Hey,So i recently ordered a bunch of parts from Mouser, upon arrival I made a quick visual inspection to see if everything was there and that nothing was broken or otherwise damaged. Everything seemed okay, but....As I checked out the lm7805 voltage regulators I had ordered, I almost died inside - I had ordered the wrong package!My intention was to order these in the TO-220 package to be able to easily solder and breadboard them, plus the advantage of being able to dissipate way more heat - more current!But as you can see, these are obviously not TO-220 parts. I immediately went on Mouser checked the specific part number, this is what I found:https://eu.mouser.com/ProductDetail/595-LM7805MPX-NOPBThe image shows a TO-220 package, but had I really been so stupid to trust an image? Well, if you scroll down to the specs it actually nowhere states the actual package of this product - hmmm. But after looking up the specific part number in the datasheet it turned out that i was indeed at fault here, and had ordered the wrong part!So, what I learned, and my advice to you:As with everything in EE, do not assume anything! And as far as Mouser goes, there may be an image of the part, but if the specific package is not listed under specs, you should definitely double check with the specific part number in the datasheet!Yes, I know that I was being stupid here, as I finished the order in a hurry, but please learn from my mistake - I will!Leo

author: brabus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2018, 05:51:16 pm
content: hehehe... learned it the hard way. Been there and done that as well, mate!Once you discover the world of part numbers, it becomes very easy to order the exact, specific part you want for your product. Nevertheless, a real PITA for the generic shopping.

author: German_EE
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2018, 06:56:57 pm
content: It's been my experience that Mouser are good people to deal with. Drop them an email, explain your problem, and you my find that they send you some TO220 regulators anyway.P.S. You're not an idiot, it's their mistake.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2018, 07:02:53 pm
content: I agree with German_EE: I strongly suspect they will at least apologize for the misleading image on their website and correct it.

author: LeoTech
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2018, 07:11:24 pm
content: Quote from: German_EE on February 26, 2018, 06:56:57 pmAndQuote from: rsjsouza on February 26, 2018, 07:02:53 pmWell, thanks for the backup.I will try and contact them and see if I can get the correct part delivered. Hopefully without the 20 euro shipping rate.....I'll let you know what happens.

author: LeoTech
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2018, 07:13:47 pm
content: Quote from: brabus on February 26, 2018, 05:51:16 pmYes, indeed.I'm starting to feel like a lot of the stuff I have learned about EE has come to me this way - the hard way. But well, at least I won't make that mistake again, hopefully.Leo

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2018, 07:41:01 pm
content: Quote from: LeoTech on February 26, 2018, 04:46:31 pmThat's over the top: you made a minor correctable mistake, that's all. We've all done that!One thing I tried to instill in my daughter was "let's makenewmistakes". Looks like you already understand that conceptHave fun, safely.

author: jmelson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2018, 07:57:06 pm
content: You only bought THREE? No problem, other than the delay. Good thing you didn't buy a HUNDRED of the wrong package! I have. OOPS!Jon

author: Damianos
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2018, 08:06:36 pm
content: Communicate with them for the matter. I guess they will send you what you need free of charge.Even if under the image there is a note:Quote

author: LeoTech
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2018, 08:16:25 pm
content: Quote from: jmelson on February 26, 2018, 07:57:06 pmYeah, I was looky on that account. I actually only bought three, not because I needed them, but because I thought they would be useful to have at hand and I still had a tid bit of room in my budget.On the account of the delay:The delay is not the problem, but the pain-in-the-ass shipping fees to where I life make it a bit more complicated.Quote from: tggzzz on February 26, 2018, 07:41:01 pmYeah, I may have called myself stupid and an idiot way to fast - I actually feel stupid about that know.But teaching someone to learn from their mistakes is always good - went through that myself.Leo