Inexpensive substition boxes for beginners

[MikeK]

Just spotted these on Amazon.  You'd be hard pressed to build them for less money.

Capacitor substition box:
http://www.amazon.com/Elenco-K38-Capacitor-Substitution-Box/dp/B0002BBQMI

Resistor substition boxes:
http://www.amazon.com/Elenco-Watt-Resistor-Substitution-Box/dp/B0002KX76M/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_c
http://www.amazon.com/Elenco-K37-Resistor-Substitution-Box/dp/B0002BBQLY/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_b

[olsenn]

I don't understand these... what's wrong with just using a potentiometer? Measure the resistance with a multimeter if you need to know where it's at

[Simon]

They are much more accurate and can provide any value down to an ohm or less

[Bored@Work]

And if you just look funny at a pot it already changes its value.

[kripton2035]

Just spotted these on Amazon.  You'd be hard pressed to build them for less money.

Capacitor substition box:
http://www.amazon.com/Elenco-K38-Capacitor-Substitution-Box/dp/B0002BBQMI

Resistor substition boxes:
http://www.amazon.com/Elenco-Watt-Resistor-Substitution-Box/dp/B0002KX76M/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_c
http://www.amazon.com/Elenco-K37-Resistor-Substitution-Box/dp/B0002BBQLY/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_b

sorry but these boxes have "hard to get" values...
I prefer these ones where you can specify the exact resistor/capacitor (even inductor) you want
(except the minimum value of course...)
http://kripton2035.free.fr/LabTools/lbt-resistordeca.html
it will cost almost the same, but they will be really more usable...

[MikeK]

Nice job on that.  I wasn't able to read the "overall cost estimate" paragraph, though; the picture overlays the text. (FireFox 13.0.1)

[kripton2035]

Nice job on that.  I wasn't able to read the "overall cost estimate" paragraph, though; the picture overlays the text. (FireFox 13.0.1)

sorry no problem with firefox 11... will check with other when I have some time ...
by the way at the top of the page the link "original here" and you get the full text !

[MikeK]

Just so you know, here's what it looks like in FF13 (Man, they've gone through 7 major releases in less than a year!)

[Bored@Work]

FF13 (Man, they've gone through 7 major releases in less than a year!)

No, they just changed their numbering schema. They now step the major number for every scheduled release, major or minor.

Lots of trouble for admins around the world, because it broke update policies they had to follow.

[elliott]

Just so you know, here's what it looks like in FF13 (Man, they've gone through 7 major releases in less than a year!)

Same in Chrome 20.

[kripton2035]

Just so you know, here's what it looks like in FF13 (Man, they've gone through 7 major releases in less than a year!)

Same in Chrome 20.

hi, same for the picture over the text in chrome 20 or for the numbering scheme ... ~)

[elliott]

Just so you know, here's what it looks like in FF13 (Man, they've gone through 7 major releases in less than a year!)

Same in Chrome 20.

hi, same for the picture over the text in chrome 20 or for the numbering scheme ... ~)

Picture over text.

[kripton2035]

should be fixed. tell me if not. thanks.

[urbanwriter]

Well... you cannot buy the box, the switches, the leads, the resistors (or caps in that case) but I'd note this.

I bought the resistance and capacitance boxes as kits; upon completion I thought 'why did they make stuff that would absolutely frustrate a 10-year old beginner? And I'm pushing 60, fairly handy, and can read the instructions.

The resistors I got were 10%. The switches are switches, how long mine will stay that way is questionable. The supplied leads and alligator clips make one appreciate the quality of IKEA product. The silk-screened faceplate is great except the indicator line on the knob doesn't line up with the silkscreening when using the keyed switch.

And those are just the points I remember while I'm some distance away from them.

Just spotted these on Amazon.  You'd be hard pressed to build them for less money.
//www.amazon.com/Elenco-K37-Resistor-Substitution-Box/dp/B0002BBQLY/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_b[/url]

[Tepe]

I prefer these ones where you can specify the exact resistor/capacitor (even inductor) you want
(except the minimum value of course...)
http://kripton2035.free.fr/LabTools/lbt-resistordeca.html
it will cost almost the same, but they will be really more usable...

Trying to draw traffic to your site using content from this one? 

[kripton2035]

I prefer these ones where you can specify the exact resistor/capacitor (even inductor) you want
(except the minimum value of course...)
http://kripton2035.free.fr/LabTools/lbt-resistordeca.html
it will cost almost the same, but they will be really more usable...

Trying to draw traffic to your site using content from this one? 

no... summing up 3 or more threads on this site to one page on my site ...
grouping things on the net over the same subject.
so that people that don't want to runs lots of readings can have the essential on my site.

[Tepe]

no... summing up 3 or more threads on this site to one page on my site ...
grouping things on the net over the same subject.
so that people that don't want to runs lots of readings can have the essential on my site.

Ian's box is rather nice looking, btw

[kripton2035]

my box is finished ald looks like ian's
(so I didnt put any picture of it it is already on the site...)

[Tepe]

my box is finished ald looks like ian's
(so I didnt put any picture of it it is already on the site...)

What is its dimensions (roughly)?

[kripton2035]

115mm x 65mm - height = 40 mm
it's a velleman box (this one : http://www.velleman.eu/products/view/?id=7332)