Component Suppliers

[BenKenobi]

I have a couple of projects - actually 3 projects - all of which require new caps and the odd regulator, easy enough thinks I ... until I try to source the **** things.

Some of the caps I need I can't find at all outside China, others I can't get the package I want (seems like through hole cans are pretty scarce), and a couple I just can't find the specs for the originals and have no schematic etc, and in some cases where I find the caps I'm told there is a 17 week lead time - WHAT !!! - or if I find a cap it is some no name brand.

I'm looking for through hole (not snap in) 13 or so mm pitch 4700uf 63V (currently fitted items are lelon - what's left of them), they're 85 Deg but the amp these are in runs pretty hot so I'd prefer 105 if I can get, I then need 220uf 50F 5mm - but I really have no data for these - they're marked 'M' so that's 20% but that's all I have. I also need some small 1uf MKP X2's 40/100/21 but no more than 10mm wide and 21.5 pitch, only packages I can find are Chinese - Tenta and Acewin. Does anyone know of any trustworthy suppliers out in China.

Anyone here heard of SEC - in particular IRFP150A mosfets and KBU1003 bridge rectifier, or know where I can find a decent equivalents as both seem to be obsolete - are there any good catalogues / equivalence lookup or books anywhere on the web.

I've tried the usual's here in the UK - i.e RS and Farnell they list but don't stock. Digikey seems the best bet right now but even they don't have everything.

I really don't want to be robbing secondhand caps of dubious nature from other boards.

[Cerebus]

KBU1003 can be substituted with any of the (higher voltage rated) KBU1004, KBU1005, KBU1006, KBU1007. Check footprints for the exact part you find, but in theory they should all fit the same footprint. These are standard part numbers available from many suppliers.

I don't think the A in IRFP150A has any significance, you ought be be OK with any IRFP150. They all seem to be TO-247AC cases and essentially identical ratings.

[BenKenobi]

I substituted the KBU for a 1004, the IFRP I replaced with an IXYS device (IXTQ110N10P) but had to go to TME because Digikey wanted me to buy a minimum of 30, not an exact match and a bit over spec (managed to find the spec sheet for the 150A), replaced the MKP's with a KEMET R46KN410040P1M although they're 1mm too big in the pitch, I also sourced the other caps.

I had to use Digikey so not exactly overnight. I'm still looking for low ESR caps in 4700uf 63 but ordered the 'general purpose' for now.

I think Digikey just became my go to alongside Mouser but the latter charge too much for postage.

I'm just curious what others use since the supplier options seem very limited for the hobbyist that doesn't want to buy 1000 of any particular device.

[Old Don]

There's also Newark plus a few smaller parts suppliers such as Jameco, All Electronics, BG Micro & Electronic Goldmine too. Most of the later carry hobby level stuff.

For cables I used to have a local (to me) company in the same industrial park that had great prices. They've changed hands (and prices) and I'm now on the other side of the country, but I'll list it here - Rogers Systems Specialist (formerly was Rogers Sound Systems).