Where to find reviews of cheap-o components? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: bentyler
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2022, 06:01:51 am
content: I remember around the time Dave reviewed the Padauk controllers, he tested some cheap voltage regulators from LCSC. I'd love to see more of this kind of content, and I'm curious if anyone else out there is testing out super cheap components. For example, I'm interested in getting some BAT60B schottky diodes. I can get Infineon produced parts from Mouser in single quantities for $0.50 OR I could get generic Chinese parts on LCSC for $0.02. I'd love to know what super cheap components are viable, at least for use in semi disposable consumer electronics.

author: John B
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2022, 08:23:54 pm
content: I think you're asking for a lot of testing, ie to see if equivalent parts from different manufacturers meet their specs or absolute limits.I use all my components with quite conservative ratings so I don't have any particular failures to note, but I have used a few cheaper brands:JSMSEMI - Discrete transistors, RS485 transceiversHGSEMI - RS485 transceiversUMW Youtai Semiconductor - Logic ICs, Darlington ArraysSX Shenzhen Suosemi - DC/DC convertersXLSEMI - DC/DC convertersXINLUDA - Charge Pump ICsXiamen Faratronic - Film CapacitorsEverlight - LEDs, OptocouplersMicrodiode Electronics - DiodesMicro Commercial Components - DiodesResistors - YAGEO, Chian Chia Electronic, Walter Electronic, Thunder Components, Resistor Today, Uni Royal, and more

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2022, 08:41:50 pm
content: Quote from: bentyler on October 31, 2022, 06:01:51 amI'm not sure how helpful someone else's testing is going to be. What you get today may not be what you get tomorrow, that's the fun of buying on the cheap.

author: SmallCog
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2022, 08:47:28 pm
content: Whilst I agree that testing amazon/ebay/ali etc stuff may be pointless as you may well never get the same thing twice from the same seller, I can see some appeal in a video looking at branded alternatives from brands we don't knowA bit like that 2c micro controller videoMay well be a topic that can be combined with "how to test a" or "how to use a" style topics EG how to use a curve tracer, followed by curve tracing a bunch of alternative components

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2022, 09:22:40 pm
content: Yes its a good video idea and we discussed this elsewhere as well.As for OPs question:I have yet to see a bad review of any items from LCSC that don't meet their spec.The closest was someone here bought a "1N4148X" and it didn't meet the datasheet 1N4148 spec, but it did meet the manufacturers own datasheet. So key here is read the datasheet provided on LCSC, and look at any key spec important to you.BAT60 is not some high end niche IC, so I'm sure the LCSC ones will be fine.

author: bentyler
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2022, 04:26:08 am
content: Thanks for the replies, everyone. Yeah, this would require a lot of testing. Glad to hear some feedback about parts being within spec on LCSC.

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2022, 02:55:20 pm
content: If you're in the market where $0.02 vs $0.50 is critically important (as in it is starting to be worth your time to go to cheaper manufacturers) you need to do your own parts qualification.In companies e.g. the size of a small consumer electronics manufacturer this would be one person's job. In a larger company, say the Apple's of this world, it would be an entire team, probably 20-50 employees in size.For smaller runs you are stuck if you want to use cheap parts - this is just because they are not as trustworthy and the engineering time is not worth expending to save $0.40 per part on 100 units (you'd need to get to at least 1k+ volume, probably 5-10k+, for that to start making sense.)

author: bentyler
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2022, 02:15:09 am
content: Yup, I used to work in a large R&D lab dedicated to qualifying components, so I get it. Still, I was looking for similar content, not for someone to do a bunch of work for me.

author: eti
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2022, 02:39:14 am
content: The truthful “review” is the dumpsters in which they’re tossed, barely used. Then again you’re unlikely to find people honest enough to admit they bought rubbish and were conned, because of human pride.