Electronic Parts Stock for Power Generation - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: akimbojimbo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2022, 01:21:03 am
content: Hi everyone,I work in the power generation field, and want to know if anyone has suggestions for basic electrical components to keep on hand. Since I first started in the industry last year, I've kept the basics on the truck (mainly 12/24v relays, toggle switches, fuses, and fluid switches/sensors (float switch, oil pressure sensor, etc)). Recently I've been getting into more complex jobs that require building simple circuits.The past couple of weeks I've come across the following applications: field flashing for a 4160v generator, controlled current drying for a stator, and wiring an alarm panel. I'll end up having to return to the jobs as I need resistors, diodes, rheostats, rectifiers, etc. I now know what exact component/value I need for each of the aforementioned circuits, but I'd like to keep a wide variety of stock on hand so I can finish jobs on site.Does anyone have suggestions for the variety and type of resistors, diodes and rectifier bridges, capacitors, rheostats, transistor, etc that would be advisable to keep on hand?Thank you in advance!

author: Faringdon
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2022, 09:16:40 am
content: You say this just happened recently...if you stock up, then you may never use it.....unless you spec the highest rated commponent in each category and it can be used anywhere, but that may be too big...i think youd be better off working like at the moment, then you'll see a pattern in what components you keep needing and then stock up on them.For the small stuff , do you go to sites like digikey and see the range on offer? The range is enormous, and you'd maybe save money if you just come back and buy of digikey, sorting on price, and then go back to the job. Finchips.com shows where components are in stock round the world...and of course, in mouser and digikey and rapidonline etc, you can sort on price...I think in the States you have some other good component sites like .....(farnell equiv. i forgot the name).Sorry to not be of great help.

author: akimbojimbo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2022, 07:06:57 pm
content: You bring up a good point about never using stocked parts. I'm just trying to be more efficient and minimize return trips. Most of the time the customer wants it fixed right then, and I've come across older boards that simply have a blown resistor, where I could solder in a new one to keep them running until the new part comes in, but I might be going down a rabbit hole I'm better off without. And yeah, in the past I've found what I need on Newark or Mouser, I do miss RadioShack and the ability to walk in to buy something that day...I think I'll just buy what I need for the circuits I need at the moment, like you suggest. Then keep a small/cheap variety pack of common diodes, resistors and the like.Thank you for the input! And you were helpful, made me consider the reality of keeping stick for jobs that I don't even know exist yet.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2022, 07:11:43 pm
content: With such a wide range of jobs how would you ever know what to keep in stock? I think you will just have to learn from experience what industry standard parts you encounter over and over, and then stock a few spares of commonly used stuff. You don't want to be carting around a truckload of random stuff you never need.

author: akimbojimbo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2022, 03:05:32 am
content: Oh absolutely. I agree on the aspect of having the right parts for OEM replacements. My thing has been coming across the need for building circuits, so I suppose I'd be better off looking into standard components people keep for their bench.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2022, 05:06:08 am
content: I don't really keep a lot of standard components on my bench, I have a selection of resistors and capacitors and a bunch of leftovers from other projects but typically I order what I need for a particular project when I need it. It's just too hard to predict what I might need eventually, and no matter how many parts I have it seems like I never have everything I need to build anything.

author: tonyjacksonw
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 30, 2022, 10:00:59 am
content: Once the necessary components are purchased, the project will be started. Get used to the market changes that lack chips.