Are there any good semiconductor "kits" available you guys know of? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: sycho123321
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2015, 04:31:06 am
content: Hey everyone,I have recently found my lab to be a little lacking in common transistors(such as the 2n2222) and common opamps (such as 741), and such. Are there any semiconductor kits available, you guys know of?I am talking about a "kit" in the same sense as a resistor kit or capacator kit like thishttps://www.sparkfun.com/products/10969Thanks!

author: Cliff Matthews
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 09, 2015, 05:03:47 am
content: A decent mix can be found on Amazon. Search for "Joe Knows Electronics Kits" EG: semiconductorshttp://www.amazon.com/Joe-Knows-Electronics-Semiconductor-Transistors/dp/B00GPZQ5B2. If you're into ebay with the inherent quality risks, a member here maintains a list of experiences with various sellershttp://www.sciencetronics.com/greenphotons/?page_id=855, and many have decent parts packs too.

author: fivefish
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2015, 05:20:47 am
content: The Joe kits may be a good start. *MAY* is the operative word here.Unlike resistor kits, semiconductor kits is too *broad*... and depends mostly on the area/field you want to work/play with. There is no one size fits all.I think you should just pick a specific project you want to do, and make some purchases on the specific parts you need... then buy some extras (up to the qty. break, 10pcs, 25pcs?) and keep those in stock. And while you're at it buying parts for your specific project, might as well buy a few jelly bean parts, and add to your cart that you think you'll use for your next project. You don't need a lot of jelly bean parts, not need the whole complete series.2N39042N3906LM324NE5532/5534TL0721N4004 (there's really no need to buy 1N4001, 1N4002, 1N4003)2N3055 or equivMJ2955 or equivsome LEDsThese parts are just for proof-of-concept, playing around on the breadboard. Then as you fine tune your design, or encounter it's limitations (voltage/power) then you buy specific parts (a higher wattage transistor, or a specific opamp/comparator, or a specific package/footprint, etc.... again buy some extras for stockpiling)I think this approach works better since you've already used the part, experienced with it, familiar with it, and know it's limitations.The other approach is going crazy and buying a bunch of random stuff you're never ever going to use, and just using up storage space in your lab. Pretty soon, you don't know what you have and it's more headache keeping track of these parts you're not even interested in.

author: sycho123321
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2015, 05:53:32 am
content: Ok, thanks for the tips everyone! That was helpful.

author: jwm_
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2015, 05:59:24 am
content: tl431 is also a good one to stock, they can be used to replace zeners in most circuits so you don't have to stock a bunch of different values when experimenting. And are just super handy in general.

author: Cliff Matthews
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 09, 2015, 12:45:50 pm
content: Add the 2n7000 NE-Fet to the list.. 60v 200ma with diode at 1.6 cents ea. it's hard to loose.http://www.ebay.com/itm/50PCS-MOSFET-Transistor-CHANGJIANG-TO-92-2N7000-/272042174423

author: dom0
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2015, 07:50:27 pm
content: Here's a more European listBC 337-40, 327-40 General purpose switching, amplification and so onBC 639, 640 Like one line above, just for 80 VBD 140, 139 Higher power switching, linear ampsBS 250 Small P-FET (one of very few)BS 170 Small N-FETTIP 142, 147LM324/358LM339/393TLC272/274NE5532 (general purpose audio and some "faster" circuits)LF412 (cheap J-FET input op)BAT 46 or similar1N41481N40041N5819MBR 2545 or any of it's many brothersIRLZ34N (50 V N-FET, specified for linear)Bridge rectifiers, some small e.g. DIP-8 ones, some larger (SIL ones), some metal bridge rectifiers (huge ones)CMOS 55578xx / 79xxLP2950 <-- these aren't good LDOs, but they're available everwhere100 nF THT or 1206 and 0805 (X7R)1-4.7 µF MLCC SMDZ diodes from 4.7 V to ~50 V are often handy100+ reel of 1k, 10k, 2k2, 3k3, 5k6, ~39k, ~100k, ~400kSome 1+ M?Box of heat shrink 1.6 mm, 3.2 mm, 4.8 mm eachCable, wires n stuffRG 174 cableRG 58 cable0.75 ... 1.5 mm² in various colors, at least black and green-yellow (when doing mains stuff)0.14 mm² in all colors you likeHaving a few small Hammond plastic cases on stock is always handyBeyond general purpose parts from the mid-70s like on the lists in this thread so far there's really hard to recommend anything, since electronics is a very broad field, and you did not say a word about what you want to do or what you're doing, so... commonplace recommendations it is.

author: sycho123321
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2015, 11:05:45 pm
content: Quote from: dom0 on December 09, 2015, 07:50:27 pmThank you! That is a great list, this helps me greatly. I'm not really only in a specific field, so the commonplace components list is great!

author: timofonic
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2015, 11:29:45 pm
content: I'm ingratitude interested in a few cheap kits of them! I Discrete I Cs, and jellybeans, cables, and more.

author: mrpackethead
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2015, 11:39:27 pm
content: I have more than 2000 different parts in my stock pile and you know what, i'm always needing to get something new.But generally, buy what you need, plus a few more and we seem to be able to get there in the end!