hymentoptera
Well-known member
I hawk eBay a lot, looking for deals on unusual parts, and have bought parts in the past that turned out to not be what I was expecting. Cruddy caps with out-of-spec measurements, resistors sold as carbon comp that turned out to be film, etc.
We all know that there's significant market for counterfeit transistors, capacitors, and even diodes! You have to be careful out there!
And furthermore, some componants just don't age well... They might be authentic, but they've just been sitting for so long that they're no longer useable as intended.
So is there anything specific I need to worry about when buying new-old-stock electrolytic and tantalum capacitors? I realize that old electrolytics should be tested for rated capacitance and also for ESR (have an ESR meter on the way! Should be here next week), but what about tantalums? Do they "go bad" just sitting on a shelf? If so, what do I need to look for or test to be sure I'm getting good parts?
Any and all personal experience and technical info appreciated. Also, any info on other things to watch out for when shopping for used or NOS parts welcome, not just capacitors, but anything related, such as any tips on finding or testing for authentic germanium transistors and diodes, specific vendors to avoid, etc.
Thanks, and have a great day!
We all know that there's significant market for counterfeit transistors, capacitors, and even diodes! You have to be careful out there!
And furthermore, some componants just don't age well... They might be authentic, but they've just been sitting for so long that they're no longer useable as intended.
So is there anything specific I need to worry about when buying new-old-stock electrolytic and tantalum capacitors? I realize that old electrolytics should be tested for rated capacitance and also for ESR (have an ESR meter on the way! Should be here next week), but what about tantalums? Do they "go bad" just sitting on a shelf? If so, what do I need to look for or test to be sure I'm getting good parts?
Any and all personal experience and technical info appreciated. Also, any info on other things to watch out for when shopping for used or NOS parts welcome, not just capacitors, but anything related, such as any tips on finding or testing for authentic germanium transistors and diodes, specific vendors to avoid, etc.
Thanks, and have a great day!