Good place to search for obsolete or substitute parts. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: paul8f
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2019, 05:36:17 am
content: Just wondering where do most people go when searching fordiscontinuedordifficult to findcomponents like old ICs and transistors etc?I'm hoping there is some sort of master database, that when searched spits out a list of suppliers or recommended substitutes...!

author: TERRA Operative
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2019, 07:10:48 am
content: Google is that master database.I have purchased from a number of places to get parts, Sphere, utsource, Ebay (but be cautious), Akihabara, Yahoo Auctions Japan, and a few other Japanese parts companies (Wakamatsu is one that has old parts), etc, etc.

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2019, 07:20:26 am
content: Or here on the forum, many people have private collections they rarely use and if for good use are willing to give away or sell for a fair price.

author: paul8f
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2019, 07:35:26 pm
content: Cheers! Thanks for the info.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 31, 2019, 01:26:37 am
content: Octopartis one that seems to show obscure stuff.

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2019, 02:00:01 am
content: And sometimes you just have to buy a donor unit to be your parts mule/supplier.

author: paul8f
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2019, 05:58:52 am
content: Quote from: bitseeker on May 31, 2019, 02:00:01 amI agree, that's always the other option. (But when you see items for sale as 'For Parts Only' is there a risk that the very component you need is also faulty on that board?)

author: wilfred
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2019, 06:18:16 am
content: If you're lucky you have access to an old electronics store. Like Rockby in Melbourne. But even their old stocks are thinning out.I swear I once saw a tube of 4004's.But now I think I must have imagined it. I didn't believe it at the time (~ a year ago) so I went back the next day and couldn't find them. I knew they needed a set of ancilliary chips to function but I thought they looked classy with a gold top and pins.I did get a pair of MAX038's 6 months ago. I really must do something with them. No, they don't have more.

author: paul8f
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2019, 06:35:10 am
content: Quote from: TERRA Operative on May 30, 2019, 07:10:48 am...You could be right on this one Terra...!

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2019, 04:52:25 pm
content: Quote from: paul8f on May 31, 2019, 05:58:52 amYes, that is a risk, and it must be weighed against the asking price and how badly you need the part. Depending on the component you seek, though, even new-old-stock can have risk of failure or dead-on-arrival due to age.It's all part of the adventure.

author: paul8f
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2019, 06:34:27 am
content: Quote from: bitseeker on May 31, 2019, 04:52:25 pm...which components are the worst culprits to watch out for? (I'm thinking dried out electrolyte, frayed rubber drive belts, ePROMs after magically erasing or corrupting their memory, stuck relay contacts, RTC/non-volatile mem. batteries leaking)?I suspect old models advertised asnew-in-boxcarry the same risks!

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2019, 06:13:53 pm
content: Also carbon resistors drifting way out of spec.Yes, "new" doesn't mean much for aging items. Time still passes.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2019, 03:40:11 am
content: Treat semiconductor substitute lists with suspicion unless they contain abridged specifications for each device.With the other lists, you often have as much chance of success if you just make a guess.Many BJTs are the original "jelly bean" devices, & can be fairly freely swapped.Equipment manufacturers like to minimise inventory, & will use the same discrete device in a critical & non critical position.If you need one for the former position, just steal it from the latter, & replace the one removed from that position with a "jellybean" part.Another good trick, is to look at how another manufacturer does something.If they use a common device, in a very similar circuit layout, there's a pretty good chance it will just "slot into" your circuit.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2019, 03:58:33 am
content: Quote from: paul8f on May 30, 2019, 05:36:17 amThere's no good single answer. One thing to do is if you aren't already a specialist or collector of the device you are repairing, seek out those who are. If it is audio equipment, for example, there's Audiokarma and similar websites. In general, be prepared to do some work, take some risks and make some mistakes. And, of course, be aware that any rare or obsolete component with any demand will probably show up as a fake on Aliexpress and eBay.