Appropriate trimpot values

zpyder · August 24, 2006, 01:24:53 PM

Hey ya'll...
I'm putting together my first bulk order which has me stoked. I'd like to hear recommendations on what trimpots to get.

That's it.

zpyder

MetalUpYerEye · August 24, 2006, 02:32:21 PM

100k if you plan on building Dr. Boogey! It uses 4! :O

captntasty · August 24, 2006, 02:48:51 PM

Hard to say unless you're building something specific. They're inexpensive (maybe 25-50 cents at mouser or digikey, 75 cents at smallbear - the cermets at SB are probably the best option) so why not stock up on a few of everything? 1k, 5k, 10k, 25k, 50k, 100k, 250k and 500k, You'll probably use mostly 10k's and 100k's but it's nice to have a lot of options. Just my .02...

zpyder · August 24, 2006, 02:55:29 PM

Yea- I just went ahead and bought a bunch. I actually found some at futurlec for .15 each. So yea, I got one of everything pretty much for $2...

I just put in $150 worth of orders in parts... (That's a well-stretched $150 mind you!) I'm F*ING STOKKKEEEEEEDDD

cheers
zpyder

captntasty · August 24, 2006, 04:48:16 PM

Sometimers that's the way to do it. When I started out a few years ago it was pretty much order for each project. As I built more I started to notice I was using certain components quite often so every time I ordered for a particular project I'd stock up on multiples and pretty soon got to the point where I would plan out a few builds and again order multiples that could be used for repeats or used in another project. I guess you start to get a feel for the things you used over and over in addition to the things you use for every build - jacks, switches, power jacks, battery snaps and clips, leds, enclosures, trimpots, pots, certain trannys, diodes, IC's, etc., . When you have a good stock of parts you only have to order the specialized stuff like certain trannys, IC's, etc. Blahda blah blah blah!

Seljer · August 24, 2006, 04:53:56 PM

Quote from: zpyder on August 24, 2006, 02:55:29 PM
Yea- I just went ahead and bought a bunch. I actually found some at futurlec for .15 each. So yea, I got one of everything pretty much for $2...

only 1 of each? you have to stock up at least 10 for each value!!!

(well at least for the 100k and 10ks that are more common...)

aron · August 24, 2006, 05:07:19 PM

Let us know how those trimmer work. There's a big difference between cheapo ones and good ones. I'm always hopeful for a low cost good one though.

zpyder · August 24, 2006, 06:58:41 PM

will do... please note that I have very little experience with trimpots in general though, so my feedback may be a little naive...

zpyder

MartyMart · August 24, 2006, 07:45:34 PM

I've had quite bad results from cheap trimpots and have replaced quite a few !
Best ones so far have been from "RS Components" ( UK not rat shack ! )
They are between 30 and 80 pence each, small square blue cermets and have
all been fantastic.
Buying 10/20 at a time in 5 values starts to add up, a recent order for 20 100k's
got "replaced" due to stock problems, with some costing £1.30 each !!
( must be gold plated )
These will be for "military grade" builds only !!

MM.

captntasty · August 24, 2006, 09:21:04 PM

Probably the best all around would be the blue box Bourns (probably other manufacturers as well) cermet trimmers. I've been using the black circular Piher trimmers and wish I had stocked up on the Bourns. The Bourns have larger flat leads so the pad holes need to be drilled slightly larger - usually not a problem unless the layout has tiny pads. Definitely stock up on multiples...

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Appropriate trimpot values