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Components and Circuits For discussions about component types, alternatives and availability, circuit configurations and modifications etc. Discussions here should be of a general nature and not about specific sets. |
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15th Jan 2022, 6:53 pm | #21 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK.
Posts: 5,263
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Re: Fake transistors.
I've never had fakes off any franchined distributor, I wouldn't expect to, but from the smaller 'hobbyist' suppliers, a couple of whom are on this forum's 'recommended suppliers' list, the answer is 'yes'. Audio mosfets that short at switch on, LOP transistors that only last a few days, op-amps with built-in hiss, that sort of thing. This was in the days before fakery was generally recognised as being a thing, ie before I knew better.
Nowadays I only get obsolete parts from known 'NOS' specialists I can trust. To be fair to UK suppliers, both Mouser and Digikey in the US are suffering similar stock problems, although I guess their size means they're lagging a little behind europe.
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16th Jan 2022, 10:37 am | #22 |
Hexode
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Glossop, Derbyshire, UK.
Posts: 487
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Re: Fake transistors.
I too have had copy "fake" power transistors a 2N3055 with gain of 100's and from RS delay of 8 months for a MJ15003 power transistors on back order
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16th Jan 2022, 10:50 am | #23 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK.
Posts: 8,172
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Re: Fake transistors.
Capacitors (poly) from RS used in an aircraft safety system that had high dissipation / tempco factors and had virtually the same colour case.
Fortunately our stock system was pants, so we were able to sort out the bad devices. We were the only company that had complained Ed |
16th Jan 2022, 6:02 pm | #24 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Lincolnshire, UK.
Posts: 4,985
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Re: Fake transistors.
All MRF transistors are fake now and have been for years, so don't waste your time with them. I remember someone I know bringing me this unit for repair to fit two new MRFxxx transistors in and he brought along the 'new' replacements in their sealed packages that he'd just sent off for 'on-line'. I took one look at them and a quick meter test proved they weren't even remotely what they said they were - I even blew one up in circuit in front of him to prove the point. He got an instant refund from the supplier - they know they're fakes and won't work, they just rely on the fact that most people that buy them will be non-skilled and think that they just fitted them incorrectly or that there was actually another fault causing the failure. Also, a lot of people will see a hard to come by device at a bargain price and buy a few to put into stock, so it could be years later (or even never) when they come to use one and by that time it's too late do anything about it. These suppliers of fakes nearly always give instant refunds because they know they're selling fakes, but that doesn't compensate for the wasted time and possible damage caused to equipment.
Capstan transistors - the much more common 'slang' term is 'pill', because they look like what you'd take after a meal with a glass of water (with the legs cut off, of course), I think it may possibly be an American term that's caught on across Europe. |
16th Jan 2022, 6:42 pm | #25 |
Nonode
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Spalding, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK.
Posts: 2,851
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Re: Fake transistors.
My MRF transistors are definitely not fake!
Mind you, they are not common ham radio types either. Rob
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16th Jan 2022, 10:03 pm | #26 |
Hexode
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK.
Posts: 489
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Re: Fake transistors.
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22nd Jan 2022, 5:19 am | #27 |
Heptode
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Derby DE1, Derbyshire, UK.
Posts: 626
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Re: Fake transistors.
Hi,
In reference to post #16 Yes many years ago I had some TBA800's from Cricklewood Electronics, that I assumed must have been fake, because out of six IC's and six attempts I never had a single one working! All older stock that i had already got worked fine. I always assumed that they were a reputable company, and that this was just something that must have slipped through the net at the time. That experience has NOT in any way put me off from ordering from them again, they obviously must of been unaware of it at the time, and maybe I should have said something, but unfortunately I'm guilty of not doing so Paul. |
22nd Jan 2022, 7:21 pm | #28 |
Hexode
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK.
Posts: 489
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Re: Fake transistors.
I myself wouldn't consider Cricklewood a supplier that would not stock fake/counterfeit parts. But they
would not do so knowingly. They do advertise as 'new' plenty of components that are no longer produced as they do source from China. They cannot provide traceability for parts. But they do go out of their way to help with equivalent parts. |
29th Jan 2022, 6:17 pm | #29 |
Triode
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Buckley, Clwyd, Wales, UK.
Posts: 32
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Re: Fake transistors.
After some checking, it becomes easy to spot a fake but beware some sellers, take a picture(s) of a real transistor but go on to sell fakes, be careful.
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5th Feb 2022, 11:36 pm | #30 |
Triode
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Buckley, Clwyd, Wales, UK.
Posts: 32
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Re: Fake transistors.
A couple of years ago, I ordered some 2N3866A from eBay and I am currently designing an HF transceiver for the 80, 40 and 20m bands and I found what I thought to be fakes to be working very well in my HF amp. Whilst these Chinese 2N3866A transistors are not American grade they do seem to be better than non fake 2N2219A (by Central semi's USA), of course the 2N3866 USA made are better but more expensive then the 2N2219a. However, the 2SC1969 Chinese eBay transistors are neither use nor ornament to anyone.
Just to round off, the Farnell/CPC 2N2219A by Multicomp(Taiwan), are just as good as 2N2219A Central semi's USA. |
8th Feb 2022, 2:24 am | #31 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Haarlem, Netherlands
Posts: 4,185
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Re: Fake transistors.
I think Multicomp is a relabeler, not a manufacturer.
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8th Feb 2022, 8:21 am | #32 | |
Dekatron
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Lynton, N. Devon, UK.
Posts: 7,061
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Re: Fake transistors.
Quote:
Dodgy customer places a large order for parts from reputable supplier. Receives them. Keeps them a few weeks, then contacts reputable supplier asking if he can return them for credit as over-ordered, less an admin/restocking fee, against the original delivery note number. Reputable supplier says yes of course. But dodgy customer doesn't return the parts he's bought, instead he sends counterfeits. So reputable supplier now has counterfeit parts in their stores. And dodgy customer now has swapped counterfeit parts for genuine items, for the cost of the restocking fee - so he can now sell genuine parts for good money. |
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8th Feb 2022, 3:01 pm | #33 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Haarlem, Netherlands
Posts: 4,185
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Re: Fake transistors.
I'd think that isn't really a viable business model for said dodgy customer. Maybe he can get away with it once or twice, but surely it would be noticed sooner or later.
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8th Feb 2022, 3:20 pm | #34 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, UK.
Posts: 11,484
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Re: Fake transistors.
With regard to RF output transistors and 2SC1969s in particular I've seen people mention that there are non-original ones made or supplied by 'Eleflow' which actually work OK. I've had no experience of these myself.
A while ago I bought a small batch of 27MHz RF output transistors (2SC2078, 2SC1909, 2SC2166, 2SC1969) from Donberg over in Eire - I had no specific need for one at the time, just a case of stocking up while they were still available from somewhere. I have no idea whether any of that batch are viable RF devices. Time will tell. |
8th Feb 2022, 7:40 pm | #35 |
Heptode
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Chatham, Kent, UK.
Posts: 947
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Re: Fake transistors.
Hi Eleflow web site is not active ?. I have used RF transistors from them and are ok but it seams not trading anymore Mick
Jst checked and the domain name is for sale Last edited by mickm3for; 8th Feb 2022 at 7:42 pm. Reason: mised part out |
8th Feb 2022, 11:04 pm | #36 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, UK.
Posts: 11,484
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Re: Fake transistors.
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9th Feb 2022, 2:11 am | #37 |
Heptode
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Chatham, Kent, UK.
Posts: 947
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Re: Fake transistors.
Hi just shows cant trust Google the bookmark took me to this page. Thanks now updated \\mick
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9th Feb 2022, 2:46 am | #38 |
Heptode
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Chatham, Kent, UK.
Posts: 947
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Re: Fake transistors.
Hi no way of buying from them i can see web page not updated since 2005.
guys on dx forum say came and went ebay seller has some not listed on ebay |
9th Feb 2022, 2:26 pm | #39 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, UK.
Posts: 11,484
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Re: Fake transistors.
That webpage was updated a bit more recently than 2005 (look at some of the other pages). However it doesn't seem to have showed any sign of activity since about 2013. A great shame. Maybe their 'authorised seller' does still have some stock, may be worth asking.
There is also plenty of contact info on the website and a 'payment and shipping' tab on the site - I would suggest trying to contact them first though. Then again, most of the other tabs go through to the defunct eleflow.com site when clicked on - odd that the 'payments' tab is the one bit which still appears functional. My Spidey-Sense is tingling... Last edited by SiriusHardware; 9th Feb 2022 at 2:31 pm. |
9th Feb 2022, 4:15 pm | #40 |
Heptode
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Chatham, Kent, UK.
Posts: 947
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Re: Fake transistors.
Hi A guy in the UK .... Weazle66 keeps showing up as distributor...and I found him as a seller on Ebay....but when I click to follow his link... he has NO PRODUCTS for sale. But if you contact him he has some for sale but not listed on ebay Its a shame they no longer sell RF transistors. I got quite excited when i saw the list of transistors they had but people are in the minority wanting them i suppose Mick
Last edited by mickm3for; 9th Feb 2022 at 4:21 pm. |