Suggestions on harvesting components.

Hello sci.electronics.components,

So I a hobby tinkerer. I'd love to do more and make more, but the cost
of electrical components is prohibitively expensive for me. I have
had success in the past using old or broken electronics for their
parts (a transformer here, a capacitor there).

I was wondering if we could get a list going of from where and from
what to harvest components.

For example, in my tinkering I have found that broken microwave ovens
are an excellent source for large, high voltage transformers.

Also comes to mind: high farad electrolytic capacitors from disposable
cameras. Old, non-disposable cameras with built in flash can often be
purchased for less than $2 at second hand stores (for a 500k uF
capacitor, that's a very good deal).

My current project requires relays (electromechanical or SSR). Does
anyone have any suggestions from what to harvest relays?

 

[Franc Zabkar]

On Thu, 26 Feb 2009 04:59:46 -0800 (PST), matthew.hiles@gmail.com put
finger to keyboard and composed:

Hello sci.electronics.components,

So I a hobby tinkerer. I'd love to do more and make more, but the cost
of electrical components is prohibitively expensive for me. I have
had success in the past using old or broken electronics for their
parts (a transformer here, a capacitor there).

I was wondering if we could get a list going of from where and from
what to harvest components.

It's not just components that you should be looking out for. Sometimes
entire modules can be useful.

For example, you can use a hacksaw to cut out the Vcore regulator from
old socket 7 motherboards. This gives you a high current 2.0V - 4.0V
jumper selectable supply which can be powered from a 12V source, eg a
car cigarette lighter.

Old mobile phone car adapters, eg those using an MC34063 PWM
controller, can also provide 500mA at various voltages, if the sense
resistors are reprogrammed. I'm using one to reduce the 12V rail in a
DVD player to 7V in order to supply a cooling fan which I have added
for reliability reasons.

http://us1.webpublications.com.au/static/images/articles/i1041/104164_6mg.jpg
http://us1.webpublications.com.au/static/images/articles/i1041/104164_5mg.jpg

Old DVD players may have useful switchmode PSUs which produce 5V and
12V.

Old AT/ATX PSUs can be converted into +13.8V high current supplies for
car audio, ham radio, CB, etc. One only needs to change two voltage
sense resistors, and possibly one overvoltage sensing zener. You may
also require a dummy load resistor on the unused +5V rail.

The following mods are more sophisticated and involve rewinding the
switchmode transformer.

A Dirt-Cheap, High Current Power Supply:
http://www.siliconchip.com.au/cms/A_30705/article.html

Regulated High-Voltage Supply For Valve Amplifiers:
http://www.siliconchip.com.au/cms/A_102096/article.html

Your microwave's controller PCB and keyboard makes an excellent
digital timer, eg for a dark room:
http://www.siliconchip.com.au/cms/A_30659/article.html
http://us1.webpublications.com.au/static/images/articles/i306/30659_2mg.jpg
http://us1.webpublications.com.au/static/images/articles/i306/30659_3mg.jpg
http://us1.webpublications.com.au/static/images/articles/i306/30659_4mg.jpg
http://us1.webpublications.com.au/static/images/articles/i306/30659_5mg.jpg

For example, in my tinkering I have found that broken microwave ovens
are an excellent source for large, high voltage transformers.

Also comes to mind: high farad electrolytic capacitors from disposable
cameras. Old, non-disposable cameras with built in flash can often be
purchased for less than $2 at second hand stores (for a 500k uF
capacitor, that's a very good deal).

My current project requires relays (electromechanical or SSR). Does
anyone have any suggestions from what to harvest relays?

- controller PCB in microwave ovens
- some TVs (standby power switching)
- older dialup modems, fax machine (electromechanical hook relay,
some have SSR)
- audio amps (speaker outputs, de-thump/protection relay)

There used to be a regular "Salvage It" column in Silicon Chip
Magazine:
http://www.siliconchip.com.au/cms/search/index.html?scope=&keywords=salvage+it&Search=Search

The articles are pay-to-view, but the "printer friendly versions" can
give you some useful info and photos.

- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.

 

[David Snowdon]

My favorite item to scrounge are early VCRs (especially Betamax units).
They have lots of RF chokes and discrete transistors.

David

matthew.hiles@gmail.com wrote:

Hello sci.electronics.components,

So I a hobby tinkerer. I'd love to do more and make more, but the cost
of electrical components is prohibitively expensive for me. I have
had success in the past using old or broken electronics for their
parts (a transformer here, a capacitor there).

I was wondering if we could get a list going of from where and from
what to harvest components.

For example, in my tinkering I have found that broken microwave ovens
are an excellent source for large, high voltage transformers.

Also comes to mind: high farad electrolytic capacitors from disposable
cameras. Old, non-disposable cameras with built in flash can often be
purchased for less than $2 at second hand stores (for a 500k uF
capacitor, that's a very good deal).

My current project requires relays (electromechanical or SSR). Does
anyone have any suggestions from what to harvest relays?

 

On Feb 26, 2:18 pm, Franc Zabkar <fzab...@iinternode.on.net> wrote:

On Thu, 26 Feb 2009 04:59:46 -0800 (PST), matthew.hi...@gmail.com put
finger to keyboard and composed:

Hello sci.electronics.components,

So I a hobby tinkerer. I'd love to do more and make more, but the cost
of electrical components is prohibitively expensive for me.  I have
had success in the past using old or broken electronics for their
parts (a transformer here, a capacitor there).

I was wondering if we could get a list going of from where and from
what to harvest components.

It's not just components that you should be looking out for. Sometimes
entire modules can be useful.

For example, you can use a hacksaw to cut out the Vcore regulator from
old socket 7 motherboards. This gives you a high current 2.0V - 4.0V
jumper selectable supply which can be powered from a 12V source, eg a
car cigarette lighter.

Old mobile phone car adapters, eg those using an MC34063 PWM
controller, can also provide 500mA at various voltages, if the sense
resistors are reprogrammed. I'm using one to reduce the 12V rail in a
DVD player to 7V in order to supply a cooling fan which I have added
for reliability reasons.

http://us1.webpublications.com.au/static/images/articles/i1041/104164...http://us1.webpublications.com.au/static/images/articles/i1041/104164...

Old DVD players may have useful switchmode PSUs which produce 5V and
12V.

Old AT/ATX PSUs can be converted into +13.8V high current supplies for
car audio, ham radio, CB, etc. One only needs to change two voltage
sense resistors, and possibly one overvoltage sensing zener. You may
also require a dummy load resistor on the unused +5V rail.

The following mods are more sophisticated and involve rewinding the
switchmode transformer.

A Dirt-Cheap, High Current Power Supply:http://www.siliconchip.com.au/cms/A_30705/article.html

Regulated High-Voltage Supply For Valve Amplifiers:http://www.siliconchip..com.au/cms/A_102096/article.html

Your microwave's controller PCB and keyboard makes an excellent
digital timer, eg for a dark room:http://www.siliconchip.com.au/cms/A_30659/article.htmlhttp://us1.webpublications.com.au/static/images/articles/i306/30659_2...http://us1.webpublications.com.au/static/images/articles/i306/30659_3...http://us1.webpublications.com.au/static/images/articles/i306/30659_4...http://us1.webpublications.com.au/static/images/articles/i306/30659_5....

For example, in my tinkering I have found that broken microwave ovens
are an excellent source for large, high voltage transformers.

Also comes to mind: high farad electrolytic capacitors from disposable
cameras.  Old, non-disposable cameras with built in flash can often be
purchased for less than $2 at second hand stores (for a 500k uF
capacitor, that's a very good deal).

My current project requires relays (electromechanical or SSR). Does
anyone have any suggestions from what to harvest relays?

- controller PCB in microwave ovens
- some TVs (standby power switching)
- older dialup modems, fax machine (electromechanical hook relay,
  some have SSR)
- audio amps (speaker outputs, de-thump/protection relay)

There used to be a regular "Salvage It" column in Silicon Chip
Magazine:http://www.siliconchip.com.au/cms/search/index.html?scope=&keywords=s...

The articles are pay-to-view, but the "printer friendly versions" can
give you some useful info and photos.

- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.

Thank you, this was very helpful. I admit to having used the old ATX
PSU as a DC power supply for other projects. I never thought of
hacksawing modules out of old PCBs/MoBos before though (soldering had
crossed my mind but always seemed like too much work for the goods).

 

[Adrian C]

David Snowdon wrote:

My favorite item to scrounge are early VCRs (especially Betamax units).
They have lots of RF chokes and discrete transistors.

Yup. The old Philips N1500/N1700 VCRs were built with plenty of modular
PCB's that had axial components inserted with long leads straight and
minimal solder. Loads of useful bits to reuse!

--
Adrian C