FAKE 2SC1971 transistors. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Wendymott · 28th Feb 2023, 6:44 pm

Hi peeps. Yes we all know it goes on.. Yes I know I should have checked before I fitted it.
I ordered Qty 5 supposedly marked Mitsubishi 2SC1971 TO220 VHF transistors. They came in a reasonable time from order. I had already made a PCB, waiting for one. NO DC shorts... but a whacking Supply draw on power up. The centre pin should be Emitter connected to case tab. These were just standard configured TO220. Collector centre pin and Tab. Yes I have fired off a complaint.. but I'm not holding my breath. I also received some 2SC1947, again fake. The TO5 case is about "half height", thus not enough surface area for good heat sinking. I got around this by making a aluminium spacer at the base, which seems to be working. But again the vendor was not helpful.
Yes I also know... buyer beware, I Hope this lot get some comeuppance, but I doubt it

G6Tanuki · 28th Feb 2023, 7:11 pm

This is why I am happy to pay seemingly-crazy prices for RF devices from suppliers with proper traceability and supply-chain accreditation.

The Motorola "MRF" series of transistors are horribly faked.

And I recently spent $80 for a single RCA CA3020A IC, on the basis that it was distinctly-cheap compared with the hassle of dealing with a dissatisfied customer.

Superscope · 28th Feb 2023, 7:13 pm

Yes, it's really annoying and it shouldn't be up to the purchaser to have
to test for Fakes.
It should be the Suppliers responsibility to check their products.

Of course, there are plenty of suppliers out there, that know only too well they are
selling Fakes.

Now, in the real World, if you were lucky enough to have bought them via eBay, then simply open a case for "Item Not as Described".
eBay will simply refund you even if the Seller doesn't.

Doesn't solve the problem per se, but at least the Seller doesn't get to benefit.

Ian

Diabolical Artificer · 28th Feb 2023, 8:21 pm

Donberg has them though not cheap - https://www.electronic-spare-parts.c...2/2sc_1971.htm

Andy.

CambridgeWorks · 28th Feb 2023, 9:27 pm

G6Tanuki, should have put a wanted. Pretty sure I have one if I dig!
Rob

The Philpott · 28th Feb 2023, 9:28 pm

Further to Post.3-

Yes, and best to examine/power up on purchase if poss and raise any complaint ASAP (and certainly within 30 days). I've been caught out by this.

Dave

Wendymott · 28th Feb 2023, 11:58 pm

Hi peeps... They were by eBay and I have raised the issue. eBay will take up the issue if I don't get a resolution by March 4th.I bought one separately and that will be fitted tomorrow, with fingers crossed. And the one correctly pinned, will be tested.

Wendymott · 1st Mar 2023, 11:38 am

Well.. Im gobsmacked.. Refunded immediately. Obviously the vendor knows they are fake.. I wonder if Ebay sanctions them ?? OK we should know, or I should... nothing is for nothing..and devices 10% of others is obviously a con. I will test the "two " supposedly good ones with fingers crossed.
If the project works ok, I will order another from the link above. Thanks Andy

Cobaltblue · 1st Mar 2023, 1:05 pm

No more discussion about ebay please.

Please check section C of the rules and this thread.

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=36144

Cheers

Mike T

28th Feb 2023, 6:44 pm	#1
Wendymott Octode Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,795	FAKE 2SC1971 transistors. Hi peeps. Yes we all know it goes on.. Yes I know I should have checked before I fitted it. I ordered Qty 5 supposedly marked Mitsubishi 2SC1971 TO220 VHF transistors. They came in a reasonable time from order. I had already made a PCB, waiting for one. NO DC shorts... but a whacking Supply draw on power up. The centre pin should be Emitter connected to case tab. These were just standard configured TO220. Collector centre pin and Tab. Yes I have fired off a complaint.. but I'm not holding my breath. I also received some 2SC1947, again fake. The TO5 case is about "half height", thus not enough surface area for good heat sinking. I got around this by making a aluminium spacer at the base, which seems to be working. But again the vendor was not helpful. Yes I also know... buyer beware, I Hope this lot get some comeuppance, but I doubt it __________________ Should get out more. Regards Wendy G8BZY

28th Feb 2023, 7:11 pm	#2
G6Tanuki Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 14,007	Re: FAKE 2SC1971 transistors. This is why I am happy to pay seemingly-crazy prices for RF devices from suppliers with proper traceability and supply-chain accreditation. The Motorola "MRF" series of transistors are horribly faked. And I recently spent $80 for a single RCA CA3020A IC, on the basis that it was distinctly-cheap compared with the hassle of dealing with a dissatisfied customer. __________________ I'm the Operator of my Pocket Calculator. -Kraftwerk.

28th Feb 2023, 7:13 pm	#3
Superscope Octode Join Date: May 2017 Location: St Austell, Cornwall, UK. Posts: 1,018	Re: FAKE 2SC1971 transistors. Yes, it's really annoying and it shouldn't be up to the purchaser to have to test for Fakes. It should be the Suppliers responsibility to check their products. Of course, there are plenty of suppliers out there, that know only too well they are selling Fakes. Now, in the real World, if you were lucky enough to have bought them via eBay, then simply open a case for "Item Not as Described". eBay will simply refund you even if the Seller doesn't. Doesn't solve the problem per se, but at least the Seller doesn't get to benefit. Ian

28th Feb 2023, 8:21 pm	#4
Diabolical Artificer Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Sleaford, Lincs. UK. Posts: 7,669	Re: FAKE 2SC1971 transistors. Donberg has them though not cheap - https://www.electronic-spare-parts.c...2/2sc_1971.htm Andy. __________________ Curiosity hasn't killed this cat...so far.

28th Feb 2023, 9:27 pm	#5
CambridgeWorks Nonode Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Spalding, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 2,859	Re: FAKE 2SC1971 transistors. G6Tanuki, should have put a wanted. Pretty sure I have one if I dig! Rob __________________ Apprehension creeping like a tube train up your spine - Cymbaline. Film More soundtrack - Pink Floyd

28th Feb 2023, 9:28 pm	#6
The Philpott Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Colchester, Essex, UK. Posts: 4,108	Re: FAKE 2SC1971 transistors. Further to Post.3- Yes, and best to examine/power up on purchase if poss and raise any complaint ASAP (and certainly within 30 days). I've been caught out by this. Dave

28th Feb 2023, 11:58 pm	#7
Wendymott Octode Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,795	Re: FAKE 2SC1971 transistors. Hi peeps... They were by eBay and I have raised the issue. eBay will take up the issue if I don't get a resolution by March 4th.I bought one separately and that will be fitted tomorrow, with fingers crossed. And the one correctly pinned, will be tested. __________________ Should get out more. Regards Wendy G8BZY

1st Mar 2023, 11:38 am	#8
Wendymott Octode Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,795	Re: FAKE 2SC1971 transistors. Well.. Im gobsmacked.. Refunded immediately. Obviously the vendor knows they are fake.. I wonder if Ebay sanctions them ?? OK we should know, or I should... nothing is for nothing..and devices 10% of others is obviously a con. I will test the "two " supposedly good ones with fingers crossed. If the project works ok, I will order another from the link above. Thanks Andy __________________ Should get out more. Regards Wendy G8BZY

1st Mar 2023, 1:05 pm	#9
Cobaltblue Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Exeter, Devon and Poole, Dorset UK. Posts: 6,878	Re: FAKE 2SC1971 transistors. No more discussion about ebay please. Please check section C of the rules and this thread. https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=36144 Cheers Mike T __________________ Invisible airwaves crackle with life or at least they used to Mike T BVWS member. www.cossor.co.uk