EEVblog Electronics Community Forum
General => General Technical Chat => Topic started by: SeoulBigChris on August 15, 2024, 07:50:19 pm
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How do you folks store the inevitable pile of small modules that one tends to accumulate these days? I’m talking about both complete MCU boards like the Pico, Arduino Nano, etc. As well, small sensor and interface boards like USB/serial, RS232/TTL shifters, temp/humidity sensors, proximity detectors, etc?
Currently I have a couple of compartmented plastic trays with dividers in which I put down cut to size ESD black foam in the bottom of each compartment. I’m not liking this system. Now I’m tempted to toss them into plastic bin organizer drawers, perhaps with dividers.
Any other good ideas? I remember hearing a fellow on a podcast last year who stored lots of things in “books”, like you see for resistor and capacitor kits. These modules probably wouldn’t be suitable for a book, but that got me wondering what other storage options I may be overlooking.
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For general parts storage there are a lot of previous threads:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/parts-organization/ (https://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/parts-organization/)
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/component-storage-organization/ (https://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/component-storage-organization/)
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/electronic-component-storage/ (https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/electronic-component-storage/)
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/how-compact-can-you-make-a-component-storage-area/ (https://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/how-compact-can-you-make-a-component-storage-area/)
pico, nano, and rs232 boards fit fine in the plastic bin style organizers. I wouldn't worry too much about ESD foam, I guess you could cut up some old silver ESD bags if you wanted to.
(https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/small-module-storage/?action=dlattach;attach=2340169;image)
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I'm just in the progress of organizing all my modules and bought a bunch of plastic containers from the Action. No idea of the availability in other parts of the world, but I like them very much.
https://www.action.com/fr-be/p/2537512/boite-de-rangement-starplast/ (https://www.action.com/fr-be/p/2537512/boite-de-rangement-starplast/)
To store the different modules in the same box, I bought anti static zip lock bags on Aliexpress.
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005005593240982.html (https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005005593240982.html)
On the box I stick a label that says "Microcontrollers" or "DC-DC converters" (I also have many of those kind of modules) and on the individual bags I stick a label that denotes the type of microcontroller or whatever module it is.
The boxes are also very convenient to store (half) finished projects in. Or scope probes, dupont leads, etc.
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I use a similar kind of box to store larger stuff, mainly by project. Here in South Korea there’s a huge brand of those containers called Lock N Lock, kind of like Rubbermaid is a big name in the US where I’m from. Perfect for storing (and sometimes forgetting) a project
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Yep. I use those parts drawers extensively. That’s what I’m planning to use for all my scattered modules, too. But just wanted to see what others are doing in case I’ve missed something better. Thanks.