help about a diode - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / rf-microwave

author: A.Z.
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2021, 08:13:15 pm
content: ok ... it's a joke, and I'm referring tohttps://hackaday.com/2021/03/14/rare-diode-threatens-coast-guards-arctic-ambitions/but then, I suspect that one of those diodes may be an interesting addition to someone's "junk box"

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2021, 09:10:31 pm
content: I wonder how much money the govt can save if they made a custom fab to make these hard to replace parts. You might need to design some special process machines but it might be possible and economical over the long run so long people are aware they might need to keep some equipment that would normally be replaced in order to justify the project (so possibly more legacy systems the now).The problem is probobly the army does not want it, the aviation industry does not need it and they can profit by forcing replacements, and the coast guard is one of the few people that can get away with it. You would need to cooperate with power companies I think, they might have old power switching stuff, and start a industry cooperation list with factories and encourage old gear be kept in service. Companies hate it (they love selling you the new model with changed front panel), but overall it might produce a benefit to the country but I am not sure.break out the curve tracersI have a few old amplifier parts that are listed as coast guard stock (i.e. old buffer amp), seemed too rare and cool to throw out, you defiantly get your moneys worth compared to a plastic soic package lol

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2021, 01:27:54 am
content: The difficult part is finding a direct replacement in the same hockey-puck form factor. There are equivalent or better diodes available but they are in the wrong form factor, which suggests designing an assembly to use them instead.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2021, 03:33:29 am
content: maybe its real tight and heat is a problem? I figure they would figure out how to put something else in there really quickly if it was possible to shim it on something or whatever Maybe they have really packed electronics boxes

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2021, 04:04:51 am
content: Quote from: coppercone2 on March 27, 2021, 03:33:29 amThe forum posts suggest the diodes are similar to this which specify a mounting force of 10,000 pounds or 4,500 kilograms:http://www.pwrx.com/pwrx/docs/ra20--20.pdfI suspect they are caught up in looking for exact replacements which means NOS (new old stock) or used parts. That they are failing makes me suspect they were originally underspecified.

author: JoeyG
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2021, 04:12:31 am
content: The challenge might be, there may be engineered alternatives, but who will take responsibility for the engineering decision to do a design change?

author: BrokenYugo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2021, 05:19:39 am
content: I'm sure it's all a matter of government grade bureaucratic bullshittery. If they really can't make a COTS part work they can surely have a lifetime supply custom run done by one of the major manufacturers of such big diodes, cost and mountain of paperwork be damned.