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Small lab IC wish list

J

James Foreman

Jan 1, 1970
0
I live in a remote area and will be setting up a small lab for
personal experimentation with both analog and digital circuits of no
predetermined type. As a retiree, my budget is limited. So I would
prefer not to make any unnecessary mistakes.

Since I am putting in a single large order with Digikey, for the above
purpose, could I have some advice on what would be the most generally
useful DIP IC's (excluding micros) for such an environment?

Much thanks,

James Foreman
 
L

linnix

Jan 1, 1970
0
I live in a remote area and will be setting up a small lab for
personal experimentation with both analog and digital circuits of no
predetermined type. As a retiree, my budget is limited. So I would
prefer not to make any unnecessary mistakes.

Since I am putting in a single large order with Digikey, for the above
purpose, could I have some advice on what would be the most generally
useful DIP IC's (excluding micros) for such an environment?

What exactly are you building?

We are looking into dices bonding on DIPs,
would you be interested in doing it for us.
 
D

Dave Pollum

Jan 1, 1970
0
I live in a remote area and will be setting up a small lab for
personal experimentation with both analog and digital circuits of no
predetermined type. As a retiree, my budget is limited. So I would
prefer not to make any unnecessary mistakes.

Since I am putting in a single large order with Digikey, for the above
purpose, could I have some advice on what would be the most generally
useful DIP IC's (excluding micros) for such an environment?

Much thanks,

James Foreman

As alternative to DigiKey, you may want to see what Jameco and
Futurlec carry. Their prices are often lower than DigiKey. However,
Digikey carries a much larger selection than the other two.
As for chips, it depends on what you want to do. I find it easier to
use a CPLD than to use a bunch of TTL/CMOS logic chips. CPLDs are
still available in PLCC-44 packages which fit into PLCC-44 sockets,
and programming cables are cheap. I also use RAMs, EEPROMs, UARTS and
buffer chips such as 74LS245 and 74LS125 (CMOS versions as well). The
non-digital chips I use are RS-232 drivers/receivers and 555 timers.
I haven't used OP-AMPS in ages, so I don't have any advice on those.
Don't forget mundane parts such as caps, resistors, and connectors.
HTH
-Dave Pollum
 
D

D from BC

Jan 1, 1970
0
I live in a remote area and will be setting up a small lab for
personal experimentation with both analog and digital circuits of no
predetermined type. As a retiree, my budget is limited. So I would
prefer not to make any unnecessary mistakes.

Since I am putting in a single large order with Digikey, for the above
purpose, could I have some advice on what would be the most generally
useful DIP IC's (excluding micros) for such an environment?

Much thanks,

James Foreman

Maybe get a bunch of all the basics
or, nor, xor, and, nand, inverter and buffer
Get some latches too..
(Also get diodes and transistors to make gate equivalents.)

Cmos 555's are handy too.
Those suckers seem to slip into lots of my app's...
No wonder it was the first production IC....

And...
Op amps that approach the ideal op amp model.
ex: low offset, rail to rail, quick and stable..
D from BC
 
S

Spehro Pefhany

Jan 1, 1970
0
I live in a remote area and will be setting up a small lab for
personal experimentation with both analog and digital circuits of no
predetermined type. As a retiree, my budget is limited. So I would
prefer not to make any unnecessary mistakes.

Since I am putting in a single large order with Digikey, for the above
purpose, could I have some advice on what would be the most generally
useful DIP IC's (excluding micros) for such an environment?

Much thanks,

James Foreman

How remote is it? Antarctica? Can't you budget for an order every week
or two?



Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany
 
P

Paul E. Schoen

Jan 1, 1970
0
James Foreman said:
I live in a remote area and will be setting up a small lab for
personal experimentation with both analog and digital circuits of no
predetermined type. As a retiree, my budget is limited. So I would
prefer not to make any unnecessary mistakes.

Since I am putting in a single large order with Digikey, for the above
purpose, could I have some advice on what would be the most generally
useful DIP IC's (excluding micros) for such an environment?

Much thanks,

James Foreman

It used to be pretty simple to select a range of TTL or CMOS basic logic
gates (inverters, OR, NOR, AND, NAND, XOR, D-FlipFlops, 2-4 and 3-8
decoders, octal latches, etc.) These are still solid building blocks, and
you can get them in all sorts of "flavors", such as LS, HC, HCT, AHCT, etc.
There are also various counters and display drivers that are useful, and
other more specialized chips. There is also a wide range of analog ICs, but
you can't go wrong with a few LM324 or TL084 quad op amps, LM356 dual op
amps, and an assortment of voltage regulators. Much depends on what you are
interested in building. If you have some specific projects in mind, the
choices can be narrowed down.

Another option is eBay. You might find someone's entire stock of assorted
TTL and CMOS, and analog ICs, for very low cost, and maybe including a
cabinet. Also, check out a HamFest. It may be worth the cost of travel to
pick up a lot of components and equipment inexpensively.

I have a lot of surplus components I could send you. I'd be glad to find a
good home for them for the cost of packing and shipping. I can email you a
list of what I have. Some parts are also listed on my website
www.pstech-inc.com. It's an old list, but I still have almost all the
parts. Ignore the prices. I'm almost ready to take some boxes of stuff to
the dump!

Good luck,

Paul
 
R

Richard Henry

Jan 1, 1970
0
How remote is it? Antarctica? Can't you budget for an order every week
or two?

Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany

That was my first thought. Let Digikey et. al. carry the inventory.
Order as needed, subject to the minimum order ands shipping cost
constraints.
 
D

DJ Delorie

Jan 1, 1970
0
James Foreman said:
I live in a remote area and will be setting up a small lab for
personal experimentation with both analog and digital circuits of no
predetermined type. As a retiree, my budget is limited. So I would
prefer not to make any unnecessary mistakes.

1. Buy what you need, when you need it, but have multiple projects in
the works at any one time to save on shipping (right :)

2. www.vakits.com has some IC kits you might be interested in.
 
J

jasen

Jan 1, 1970
0
I live in a remote area and will be setting up a small lab for
personal experimentation with both analog and digital circuits of no
predetermined type. As a retiree, my budget is limited. So I would
prefer not to make any unnecessary mistakes.

Since I am putting in a single large order with Digikey, for the above
purpose, could I have some advice on what would be the most generally
useful DIP IC's (excluding micros) for such an environment?

lm555,7555, lm324, 4060, lm339, tl071, tl074, lm3915,

you may want to add some more cmos logic to that...
if you're going to use micros add some shift registers to use as port
multipliers, if not some logic and flip-flops may be handy.

a 4070 can be real handy as there's no efficient way to make an XOR with discretes.
nands nors and inverters can be handy too.


Bye.
Jasen
 
M

Mike

Jan 1, 1970
0
I live in a remote area and will be setting up a small lab for
personal experimentation with both analog and digital circuits of no
predetermined type. As a retiree, my budget is limited. So I would
prefer not to make any unnecessary mistakes.

Since I am putting in a single large order with Digikey, for the above
purpose, could I have some advice on what would be the most generally
useful DIP IC's (excluding micros) for such an environment?

Much thanks,

James Foreman

Hello James,

I'm really familiar with that low budget thing, so let me tell you, a large Digikey order while
convenient is not the cheapest way to go. Mouser is usually a little cheaper.
You'd get by even cheaper by googling for some surplus parts outlets as someone else has already suggested. If
you take your time and look around you can find some really good prices. Some to checkout in the US might be
BG micro, Marlin P Jones, Jameco, Hosfelt, MECI, etc.

It's really hard to say for sure without knowing where your interests might be, but
here's a list of some basic stuff that I wouldn't want to be without.

DISCRETE:
2N3904/2N3906 or equiv general purpose NPN/PNP transistors. You'll need more NPNs then PNPs.
2N3055/2N2955 or equiv NPN/PNP power transistors
MPF102, 2N5458 JFETs
2N7000 or equiv low power mosfet
IRFXXX power mosfets - whatever you can find cheap with the voltage/current ratings you might need
1N914 or equiv low power silicon signal diodes
1N40xx or quiv 1A rectifier diodes, IN54xx if you want 3A
1N34 or equiv germanium detector diodes
1N5817 etc Schottky diodes
Maybe some 5v, 9v, 12v zener diodes
Various LEDs, gotta have lights
Various varactors if you find a deal on them.

ANALOG:
Some 3 teminal regulators
317T, 317L - adjustable 1A and .1A
7805, 7812, and 78L05 - 5v and 12v 1A and 5v .1A
Some Opamps
LM358, TL082, Tl084 etc
Comparators
LM339, LM393 etc
Audio Amp
LM386 audio porwer amp 1/2W or so
Driver arrays
ULN2003 etc Logic compatible driver for relays, small steppers etc
Timer
LM555/LM556 Can be used as an astable or monostable
Misc:
NE/SA602 VHF Mixer/Osc
74HC4046 PLL can be used for lots of stuff

As far as digital goes, I'd pick a logic family and try to stick with it as much as possible
The old 45XX series aren't too fast, but aren't real finicky on a breadboard either, or
maybe the 74HCxxx series for a little more speed. See if you can find a copy of Don Lancasters
CMOS or TTL cookbook and get some of the chips that he provides data for. That would be a good selection.

PASSIVES:
Lots of .1uf, .01uf, .001uf mono ceramic or disk caps
1uf, 10uf, 100uf, 1000uf electrolytics and a few of the higher values like 4700uf or 10000uf
maybe some 1uf and 10uf tantalum caps.

Maybe a couple small speakers and piezo beepers

A few resistor assortments 10ohm to 10Mgeg 1/4W 5% will cover most needs
Some 1k 10k 100k, and 1Meg pots

I realize that you said no micros, but don't overlook them. They open up a lot of areas that
just aren't very practical using discrete logic. Personally I use Atmel AVR and Pic micros.

OTHER STUFF:
You will want to get a "Proto board" or breadboard and build or buy a bench power supply.

Don't scrimp too much on a decent soldering iron either. A Weller is hard to beat,
but not that cheapie $39 one they make. Get one with an adjustable and controlled temperature.

A scope is really nice, but a bit pricey. If there's any way, get yourself one.
Even a cheap one is better than nothing.

Good Luck in your new endeavor.

Mike


"As we survey all the evidence, the thought insistently
arises that some supernatural agency - or, rather,
Agency - must be involved. Is it possible that suddenly,
without intending to, we have stumbled upon scientific
proof of the existence of a Supreme Being? Was it God
who stepped in and so providentially crafted the
cosmos for our benefit?"
George Greenstein - Astrophysicist
 
T

Tim Williams

Jan 1, 1970
0
Doing anything with switching power supplies will appreciate TL494 or KA7500
or one of the UC3842 series ('42 is commonest, '43 is lower voltage, '44 and
'45 are respectively the same but half duty cycle). Along those lines, BJTs
like TIPs and 3055-ish stuff for linear supplies, and MOSFETs from IRF540 to
820 or so, to IRFP's and IRFZ's into the high power or high amp
(respectively) sorts of things.

I think you can get assortments of CMOS and TTL logic chips, for the digital
workings. A handful of NANDs, NORs, NOTs (normal and open collector) and
various other choice items (like flip-flops, counters, mux/demux, etc.).

And if you want to get specialist (meaning, it's kind of like an electronic
fetish, but interesting rather than disgusting ;o) ), you could even get
things like 12AX7's and 6V6's, and the various iron to use them.

Tim
 
That was my first thought. Let Digikey et. al. carry the inventory.
Order as needed, subject to the minimum order ands shipping cost
constraints.

I agree with using Digikey or others as you need the parts, though
buying a tube of parts on ebay if the deal is good is appropriate. The
part has to be common and less than say 20% of Digikey. That is, make
a "lifetime" buy, though I've been amazed how often I exhausted my
lifetime buys. ;-) For instance, I wouldn't turn down a deal on a
rail of OP27, LT1028, LDOs, etc.
 
D

DJ Delorie

Jan 1, 1970
0
That is, make a "lifetime" buy, though I've been amazed how often I
exhausted my lifetime buys. ;-)

As I get more and more into projects, I find I order larger and larger
quantities of whatever part I happen to need, just for stock. Need a
2.2K resistor? Buy 50 of them, you'll use them eventually. One of
the guys in our local group has gotten up to the reel stage, and a
digikey reel of popular sizes can be as low as $20-30.
 
M

MooseFET

Jan 1, 1970
0
As I get more and more into projects, I find I order larger and larger
quantities of whatever part I happen to need, just for stock. Need a
2.2K resistor? Buy 50 of them, you'll use them eventually. One of
the guys in our local group has gotten up to the reel stage, and a
digikey reel of popular sizes can be as low as $20-30.


Also if you are sure you will only need a few resistors of a specific
value buy one of those kits of a range of values. This will cover you
when you change your mind.
 
D

DJ Delorie

Jan 1, 1970
0
MooseFET said:
Also if you are sure you will only need a few resistors of a specific
value buy one of those kits of a range of values. This will cover you
when you change your mind.

Yup. Now that I've standardized on 0603 parts, I've ordered the "E12"
kit from vakits, so that I've got a range of values to play with.
Then I order a project-specific amount once I've decided on the
specific values I need.
 
L

legg

Jan 1, 1970
0
I live in a remote area and will be setting up a small lab for
personal experimentation with both analog and digital circuits of no
predetermined type. As a retiree, my budget is limited. So I would
prefer not to make any unnecessary mistakes.

Since I am putting in a single large order with Digikey, for the above
purpose, could I have some advice on what would be the most generally
useful DIP IC's (excluding micros) for such an environment?

Suggest you plan what you want to do, before obtaining parts.

Electronic design is not shopping.

RL
 
B

Barry Lennox

Jan 1, 1970
0
I live in a remote area and will be setting up a small lab for
personal experimentation with both analog and digital circuits of no
predetermined type. As a retiree, my budget is limited. So I would
prefer not to make any unnecessary mistakes.

Since I am putting in a single large order with Digikey, for the above
purpose, could I have some advice on what would be the most generally
useful DIP IC's (excluding micros) for such an environment?

An alternative point of view is to recycle parts off scrap boards,
This is especially easy with SMD parts, Our local recycling foundation
has ex PC boards, printers, modems, and all manner of other consumer
bits for 50c to maybe $3. Yesterday they had printers for free, as the
"printer mountain" was getting pretty high.

Anyway, strip out the boards, and wearing a heat-proof glove on one
hand, I blast the board with a paint stripper gun, when all the solder
is shimmering, rap the board sharply on the bench, and about 75% just
fall off. Some areas will need a repeat.

For thru-hole parts a different approach is better. support the edge
of the PCB is a vice, blast the solder side with the paint stripper,
and then pull the parts out with a dental pick or needle-nose pliers.

The hardest part is sorting them out. However, I have never found a
bad part yet. I would not want to use these parts for a proper job,
but they are fine for experimenting and messing about.
 
W

whit3rd

Jan 1, 1970
0
I live in a remote area and will be setting up a small lab for
personal experimentation
... what would be the most generally
useful DIP IC's (excluding micros) for such an environment?

Generally, one builds up a 'junk box' of used or surplus parts,
and that's the kind of thing you wouuld benefit from. There
are grab-bag suppliers like

http://www.goldmine-elec.com/

that sell bags of unsorted/semisorted DIPs; items #G13876
and #G15287 and such will give you (if nothing else) a few
moments of discovery (oh, THAT'S what this does!).
 
D

D from BC

Jan 1, 1970
0
Generally, one builds up a 'junk box' of used or surplus parts,
and that's the kind of thing you wouuld benefit from. There
are grab-bag suppliers like

http://www.goldmine-elec.com/

that sell bags of unsorted/semisorted DIPs; items #G13876
and #G15287 and such will give you (if nothing else) a few
moments of discovery (oh, THAT'S what this does!).

Another moment of discovery will be (in my experience) is that looking
in a junk pile takes more time than ordering the parts online.
(Neglecting courier time.)
D from BC
 
D

D from BC

Jan 1, 1970
0
Filing them away in little drawers or whatever is a *big* waste of
time. When the project is completed I just throw the leftovers into a
box with the prototype and file the whole mess unless they look *very*
likely to be used again.

Maybe being retired he doesn't think his time is valuable, but seems
to me that it's a supply and demand thing, the value should go up.


Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany


Sometimes when I end up with a dead project, I put everything into a
"body bag". :)
D from BC
 
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