This is going to seem stupid, but (collecting/repurposing/obsession) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2023, 12:26:01 pm
content: ....for some reason, since some redundant equipment at work is being removed, I've saved some of the stuff from inside.Some of the items are Socapel ST1 servo drives and BA4 power supplies. I have no idea if I'll ever do anything with them at all....or even if I can.Are there any other folk around here who does the same crazy stuff as I have just done?

author: brabus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2023, 02:22:59 pm
content: I regularly visited the trash containers of all the companies I worked with, often finding interesting stuff to bring home (Engine control units, PLC's, old intersting boards, even laptops and miscellaneous electronics, often brand new).The reactions have been mixed, from curious/helpful colleagues to people straight accusing me of stealing trash. Never suffered any consequence though, and scored some interesting material, still today in my collection.

author: tunk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2023, 02:36:59 pm
content: Think I only bought one PC, the rest I've got from work or fromthe recycling bin. Also one (seemingly) working bench PSU and3-4 multimeters. On two of them the zebra strip needed cleaning.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2023, 09:18:12 pm
content: The drives are probably worth hundreds of dollars, so yeah, test them and sell them.The power supplies might not be worth as much.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 13, 2023, 01:01:26 am
content: I started my electronics journey in the 60s when stuff - especially discarded stuff - was hard to come by. When the new TTL chips came out relegating RTL to the history books, I could only afford to do mail order from the USA. As such, practically anything with a wire inside became a magnet for my attention.Over the years, I have acquired and disposed of bucketloads of stuff - and some is still hanging around ... such as two 100m reels of RG11 coax. (Been sitting in the garage for 25 years now. Looked good for the price at the time)As I now look back on my acquisition mindset, I can see it was driven by (in decreasing order):1. Getting stuff - especially at the right price - because I didn't have much (Very high in my early days - much more tempered now)2. Purchasing equipment (because I didn't have one)3. Building up inventory for possible future projects (that are in the round tuit pile - and that's IF there is a specific idea in mind)4. Saving things for posterity5. My immediate use (as in use it the day you buy it6. Selling on (a lesson I'm still learning because of (1) above)7. Giving awayThese days, however, things are somewhat different and the priorities have pretty much reversed from the above (except for (2), particularly enabled by EEVblog members). This has been driven by several factors, most especially because equipment is so easily available and affordable - plus far more capable. Last time I bought an Arduino nano clone board, I paid as much for it as I did a 7400 series TTL chip back in the day (inflation adjusted).But also, I have life experience that has brought my thinking into a more practical direction. There are just so many cubic metres of space to store stuff and only so may hours in the day to do things ... plus the realisation that what I have today is more than I can reasonably expect to utilise. This also leads to contemplating what legacy I will leave when the inevitable time comes.From what I have observed of what other members here have expressed, I am not alone.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2023, 04:33:21 am
content: Brumby has pretty much nailed it. Some specific examples from my own experience.LEDs salvaged from discards in the early 70s. Used a couple, but still have most of them, and never will use them because those early LEDs can't hold a candle to todays product, and todays product is so cheap.Gang wafer switches. Again, used a few, but at this point it is hard to foresee using many more. Technology has moved on.Various 7 segment LED displays. Still possible they will get used, but there are so many other options now.Overall I am glad I salvaged most of the stuff. It did enable my hobby over the years. But the vast majority either has gone to the dump or is headed that way. There are special cases. I have quite a few air gap variable capacitors, up to a four gang unit. The technology has moved on, and I have only limited interest in using them, but they are treasured by collectors so sooner or later I will find a way to pass them on.

author: Xena E
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2023, 08:38:48 am
content: I hate to see waste, particularly when we are asked to scrap customers equipment that has been updated, (think PC towers, network switches, PLC racks etc.,) Perfectly understandable of course, failure of obsolete equipment can be a death sentence to a working company. we do have a storage area for good used legacy equipment and WEEE but rarely does the working stuff get reused, normally only then as 'get you going' loans to customers in a muddle.Recently the "team junior" (he is the same age as me but has only just left college after returning to finish his education), came with a plea for a raise; he has recently taken on a mortgage, he and his wife are expecting a baby: there have also been some large unexpected financial outgoings.He is worth it TBH, I have 'stock' and a good position but the anti discriminatory pay policy can be both a blessing and a curse,all I can do is give work appraisals not dictate anyones salary: we are all paid by job grade. He would need promotion to get what he was asking for and for that he's not yet qualified.Wanting to help, and not wishing to lose my best go-fer I suggested we clear it with the MD and he start shifting the working WEEE and legacy 'junk' for re-use by selling it! The payment for his disposal service to the company being whatever he can make on what sells. The only stipulation made by the boss was that he did not sell anything to anyone who was identified as a company customer.The go-fers wife, who is now finished work because of the pregnancy is doing the ebay listing, and packing the smaller items for shipping.It's a multiple win. The customers are getting shot of their 'junk' (often new in box spares!), the company turns a blind eye that a large proportion of the waste is disappeared that they dont then have to pay to get rid of, people who run legacy equipment can keep their plant running, I keep my staff, Go-fer provides the Friday lunch time pastries for his colleagues, and he gets to keep his home!Done for purpose, not just hoarding, can be very worthwhile, it just takes a bit of effort.Myself? I'm too lazy and well paid.

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2023, 09:17:52 am
content: Quote from: thm_w on August 10, 2023, 09:18:12 pmThese drives are obsolete, from late 80s equipment, there's so many on the market already which do not sell, as probably no one at all is using the equipment it's from anymore, otherwise I'd take them all and sell the lot.

author: dietert1
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2023, 09:30:02 am
content: Some days ago i started to fix a Samsung Syncmaster 203B that we had for about 15 years. It had a bad cap in the power supply. It still didn't work, but switched off after one second. I could see that the CCFLs at the bottom did not light up. Now i bought two LED replacement kits on ebay and found a youtube video showing how to do it. Parts will arrive next week. If it works the monitor should last another 15 years.I like those monitors as the pixel size isn't that bad for my old eyes. Meanwhile i found another used one at ebay - for € 14.Regards, Dieter

author: dietert1
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2023, 06:14:20 am
content: Meanwhile i finished the CCFL => LED conversion and it went well. The screen is much brighter now than another Syncmaster 203B that is still working with CCFL. Also the converted monitor is running much cooler. I decided to convert the other one, too.The CCFL high voltage converter is dead after removing two caps in the primary circuit.The LED controller has a DF6113 ic, a 15N10 mosfet, a SS210 shottky diode and a 470 uH inductor. When cutting the LED strip to length i observed the 3x pattern (output voltage roughly 8 to 9 V). One should also adapt the current measurement shunt. I glued the converter board to chassis and the LED strips into their aluminum rails using WE heat conducting tape. Both "enable" and "dim" signals from the original circuit got wired to the converter and both of them work as intended.Regards, Dieter

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2023, 07:44:08 am
content: I always enjoy bringing home salvaged electronics, taking them apart, sometimes reverse engineer, other times repurpose, or just store them in a junk box for spare parts.Though, with time this might make your lab looks like a combination between a tech museum and a hoarder's den.

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2023, 07:58:39 am
content: My old office park shared a dumpster with a medical diagnostics/testing company. The dumpster was routinely full of used urine sample containers.1 out of 10. Would not dive.

author: Willy_Tepes
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2023, 10:25:15 am
content: I also collected stuff from the electronics dumpster when I had a garage, but sadly I no longer have room. It is a great way to learn electronics (see what others have done).The entire concept of stealing trash is stupid. You PAY to get trash removed.I can only conclude that people who utter such accusations are just jealous because you are getting something for free, even though they probably are financially much better off than someone who is rummaging through a dumpster. I have a hard time understanding my fellow man as most of them seem downright evil and petty at times. Being a generous guy, I put it down to low intelligence.