Some pictures of my favorite electronics surplus shop - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Excavatoree
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2013, 07:57:14 pm
content: Some of you may remember Dave's visit to Apex surplus. This place is nowhere near that large. Furthermore, this place is a bit past it's prime - that is, the amount of electronic surplus he's been able to buy has dwindled. There used to be more "odd lots" of electronic parts.I've been visiting since I was about 7, so it's more a trip down memory lane for me than a hunt for electronics, but there are still usefull and interesting things.If Dave or one of his moderators feels this post should be deleted, I won't argue.Let's start with some test gear. Here's a VERY crusty BK precision power supply. It looks like it was left out in the rain. The rust visible on the outside is but an indicator of how bad the insides are. However, it no doubt a good parts unit, and may be fixable. Also a Ballentine bench meter, and an old Nixie tube meter.EDIT: added explanation.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 27, 2013, 07:58:58 pm
content: My favorite surplus place is Surplus Gizmos in Portland (Hillsboro). They have a great selection of all sorts of weird and wonderful stuff, and I could (and do) spend many an hour there. That's where I picked up my oscilloscope and power supply.

author: Excavatoree
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2013, 02:46:16 am
content: Next some panel meters. Sorry about the poor pictures, all I had was my phone camera.One is still new, in box.

author: Excavatoree
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2013, 03:03:41 am
content: A Lambda brand, 28 volt DC power supply . This one had a yellow tag on it, meaning it was "serviceable" when sold as surplus.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2013, 03:09:59 am
content: I'm so jealous, stop teasing us !

author: jebcom
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2013, 04:46:39 am
content: Hey Excavatoree, can you tell us the name of the store and where it's located?

author: SLJ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2013, 01:31:32 pm
content: Did you buy the NLS nixie tube meter or is it still there?

author: calin
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2013, 04:53:21 pm
content: Uu nice .. grab that BK power supply . I have one I grabbed for 25$ for Craiglist, completely serviceable/fixable and is really nice. I keep using it over my fancy digital Atten just because is super quiet; no fans to any the heck out of you.

author: Excavatoree
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2013, 09:52:09 pm
content: A lot of vacuum tubes. All of the types commonly used for audio applications have been picked - what remains is, sadly, probably useless.

author: Excavatoree
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2013, 10:00:16 pm
content: It's official name is "Quality Supply Company," but it's also known as "Rudy's place" or "Mr. Herndon's Place." Ollie Herndon, Rudy's father, is the founder, I believe. I've always called him Mr. Herndon, but he's known as Rudy or Mardi, or M.R. He's a very nice guy.It's in Macon, Georgia, on the southside, near the airport.I didn't buy what I hope is a nixie tube meter, my memory is a bit cloudy. I checked the BK power supply, but, it's non functional and the inside looks much worse than the outside. I've got two, one that works and one with a flaky problem, so I don't need another. Actually, I've got a lot of power supplies, some of which were purchased there.Also offered were a nice collection of wall warts, with their cords cut.

author: Excavatoree
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2013, 10:01:22 pm
content: Outside, it gets a bit interesting. Here's a cross sectional piece of, uh, I don't know. A large helicopter? Beats me.

author: Excavatoree
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2013, 10:02:26 pm
content: One always can use a huge military aircraft tire. He's got four or so.

author: Excavatoree
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2013, 10:03:19 pm
content: Speaking of aircraft, you can get your very own ATC transponder!EDIT: Also, some part of the auto pilot system, and perhaps a part of the radio system.

author: Excavatoree
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2013, 12:40:29 am
content: A C-130 engine module. This one is from a very old model, not used in the "first world" anymore. These are mostly stripped, as there are a few "regular buyers" of these parts. There are still some interesting bits inside. I almost bought what I believe is a stainless steel oil tank from one.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2013, 07:46:39 pm
content: I used to fly inthose, tough beasts. Luckily my boss was in the one ahead of us landing with a little crosswind. We heard him touch down **INSIDE** the soundproofed 707 circling in the holding pattern, and had a good view of the C130 bouncing in the sunset, smoking all the tyres. Think that plane needed 14 new tyres on return to base, 6 plies gone in a single shot. Aircraft tyre check, count the number of canvas layers visible. More than 6 out of the 16 meant Chris was getting a lot of work to do. Pupil pilots could do all of the tyres in a single landing from brand new to scrap. Not retreadable ( or at least they were not retreaded there) and cost a lot more than Z rated performance tyres, though a lot of farmers wanted them when used for farm trailer tyres, still 10 plies to wear through, and as tough as nails.

author: Excavatoree
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2013, 12:54:09 am
content: I went back this weekend. I purchased the nixie tube meter. Despite it's "yellow tag" status, it has a problem. When I first turned it on, the display showed 0302. It changed to 0300 and stayed there. The decimal point would move with a manual range change. I tried shorting the test lead jacks in resistance mode, there was no effect. I'll check it further, take some better pictures, and post in a separate thread when I start working with it.Speaking of the C-130, anyone need a pilot's seat?

author: Excavatoree
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2013, 01:01:24 am
content: Forgive me for one more. Just some large resistors, a large SCR (maybe a triac, I didn't get the number) and some other, unidentified stuff.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2013, 07:32:00 pm
content: The seat would make a nice chair for your workbench, provided that they have the cushions, or you know a sailmaker to make some up to fit.Stud Cathode thyristor, probably around 100A at about 200V most likely. Wouldn't mind those 33R 100W resistors along with it either. Some of those 28V indicator lamps would be nice as well.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2013, 07:43:10 pm
content: The seat looks pretty cool. I guess it isn't heavy as well. Put some castors underneath it and you have a nice office chair. But the cushions are a must!

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2013, 07:57:30 pm
content: Those are heavy chairs trust me, they normally are bolted down, but are still pretty heavy to survive decades of use.