Question: Can you go too cheap for parts like Diodes Crystals Regulators And gates? n n

[G+_Jason Perry]

Question:

Can you go too cheap for parts like

Diodes

Crystals

Regulators

And gates?

[G+_John Mink]

TL;DR:

 

yes, but it probably doesn't matter.

 

 

 

Full Version:

 

You're actually asking two questions:

 

1) Is there a significant difference between quality of parts?

 

2) Do I care about that difference?

 

 

 

The answer to #1 is yes, there is absolutely a difference in quality between a low-end and high-end crystal, diode, transistor, capacitor, or any other electronic component.

 

 

As for question #2, the answer is less obvious. The differences come down to using higher end materials and more precise manufacturing processes. This means longer life, less variance in specs, and (ideally, but not always) less unwanted* effects.

 

And I guess there's a 3rd question in there

3) What should I buy?

 

And the answer there is, go for the low end stuff. When you need to spend more, you'll know exactly why. Until you know exactly why what you have doesn't cut it, don't guess as to what will or won't.

- do you need resistors that have lower inductance?

- is your 741 not amplifying the microamp of current you're trying to measure?

- are you selling your product and need the capacitors to last their expected life in conditions that aren't your lab?

 

And besides, if you blow a nice $2.50 capacitor (or especially a $50 cap) you'll be much more annoyed than if you ruin a $0.15 cap.

[G+_John Mink]

Also, don't worry about "wasting money" on cheap components, you'll always need 1/4 Watt resistors "around 10k-ish", and "some capacitor that's, say 10- 1000 uF" or "a signal that's x10 larger".

 

Those things are always, always, always, going to come in useful eventually.

[G+_Jason Perry]

Thanks John Mink?, I am looking at doing my first project that's more than tinkering and didn't know if it was worth my while to spend the extra 0.10 to $1 on a part to save headaches later.

[G+_John Mink]

Jason Perry no worries. You'll have plenty of headaches regardless :p

 

 

But it'll be worth it! Whatcha doin for the project?

[G+_Jason Perry]

instructables.com - A credit card sized Ethernet Arduino compatable controller board

[G+_Jason Perry]

Kinda thinking of ordering the boards from Osh Park, making those boards up, then modifying the design. I would love to make my own boards but I don't want that to be a discouraging factor out of the gate.

[G+_John Mink]

Cool, sounds like you've got a good plan!

[G+_Keith Mallett]

I have been buying from Sayal Electronics when I need something right away and I can get to the store but if I need to order parts I have been using DigiKey, they seem competitively priced.