EEVblog Electronics Community Forum
General => General Technical Chat => Topic started by: DavidDLC on August 13, 2010, 01:37:35 am
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I have a trip to China and I have plans to go to the electronic market to buy cheap stuff (Compared to the USA ;)), I'm working on the list of items I will buy, I'm not planning to buy electronic components like resistors, capacitors, inductors, semiconductors, etc, because I have already some of them.
I'm looking for items that are always useful for projects like:
- Project boxes (Different sizes)
- LCDs (Different sizes and styles)
- Keypads
- Different types of switches like, push, toggle, rocker, etc
- LED in different shapes and sizes, including matrix
- Different types of connectors
- Panel meters
- Relays (Different voltages and types)
Can you help me to increase the list with some suggestions ?
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Potentiometers and trim pots?
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Oh yes, added to the list.
Thanks DJPhil.
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I have a trip to China and I have plans to go to the electronic market to buy cheap stuff (Compared to the USA ;)), I'm working on the list of items I will buy, I'm not planning to buy electronic components like resistors, capacitors, inductors, semiconductors, etc, because I have already some of them.
I'm looking for items that are always useful for projects like:
- Project boxes (Different sizes)
- LCDs (Different sizes and styles)
- Keypads
- Different types of switches like, push, toggle, rocker, etc
- LED in different shapes and sizes, including matrix
- Different types of connectors
- Panel meters
- Relays (Different voltages and types)
Can you help me to increase the list with some suggestions ?
Special warning about chinese LCDs, the datasheets are usually terrible if you need specifics. A lot of the time you have to nag and nag the company who produced the display to give you the specs you need, and some are relatively important, like the logic voltage range.
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Exactly right, last time I was there I bought a 128 x 64 LCD and I had the exact same situation you mentioned.
Good advice !
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brass standoff's!!! i find i use tons of these in my projects, and buying them locally is way more expensive then getting a package of 50 or 100 from china
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Exactly right, I also use them. They are on the list now.
Thanks.
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Shrink tubing, wire and bulbs?
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Wire is a good advice, the other stuff I already have.
Plenty of good advices, I'm going to need a big luggage ;D
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Plenty of good advices, I'm going to need a big luggage ;D
Remember to pack with security in mind too. I'm sure the folks at the x-ray machine will spaz out when they see a bag full of electronics and you'll have to unpack/repack everything.
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Buying from a bazaar? i.e., an open market selling parts like fruits? Beware of outright fake components, not just counterfeit. I was given bunches years ago from a bazaar purchase and nearly every component was crap. At least from a store, you have a better chance of not getting counterfeit, because you can potentially return it and thus, the store doesn't want to lose customers and get a bad rep, but a bazaar, you and they will never see each other again, and the sale is all but final.
Batteries with no content, batteries with just enough content enough to test on-site, i.e., 10mAh versus its rated 1000mAh etc.,
Fake parts are the worst, for example a 0.01% resistor is actually a repainted rebadged 5% and worse, add Vishay's label on them and you have counterfeit.
6000uF capacitors with 2000 uF guts!
(http://blog.makezine.com/MAKE_PT0153.jpg)(http://i7.ebayimg.com/02/s/000/77/5d/b3b4_2.JPG)
http://sound.westhost.com/fake/counterfeit-p1.htm
Power transistors with low power guts!
(http://sound.westhost.com/fake/fake-MJ15004.jpg)
The only thing I would trust in a bazaar in China are cases and hardware fixtures.
I wouldn't even trust buying electrical tape from a bazaar.
If you buy LED, meters, and other electronics, the parts may not last you a year under load, meters thar are non-linear etc., you are better off buying damaged electronics from eBay and salvaging these components, and buy a good desoldering station.
Caveat Emptor.
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Even the best guys are scammed by chinese fake stuff...
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/news.php?id=350
http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/3006/diecomparem.jpg
(http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/3006/diecomparem.jpg)
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well then, maybe you should put the "chinese girl(s)" in your list, i'm certain thats the sure "thing" that is not fake.
No, you should be able to find fake girls if you go to the right places.
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I'm going to the electronic market in Beijing, the place looks good and the quality of the components is not that bad.
I have been there once before, and I haven't had any major issues with the components I bought.
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China has more of an issue with fake, counterfeit and bad quality components than here. But as long as you aren't buying in bulk, it seems quite rare for people to get stung.
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Yesterday I went to the electronic market here in Beijing.
Man I was like a boy in a candy store.
I found things 1/10th of the price compared to USA, for example a SMD 6 x6 mm toggle switch at DigiKey will cost me 0.74 USD, here 0.07 USD each !
The 50K 10 turn pot that Dave used for the dummy load at DigiKey 12.50 USD, here 2.50 USD !
So far I have bought considerable quantity of parts. I'm going back on Saturday for another lot before heading back to San Diego, Ca.
8)