Anyone tried these pots (16mm Alpha Alternative)

[pappasmurfsharem]

These are roughly half the price of alpha pots on mouser.

I'm considering them. Anyone tried these?

Brand is BI Technologies 


http://www.mouser.com/BI-Technologies/Passive-Components/PotentiometersTrimmers-Rheostats/Potentiometers/_/N-9q0yp?P=1z0zlg7&Keyword=16MM&Ns=Pricing%7c0&FS=True

[GGBB]

I've used BI pots and trimpots in the past - they seem fine to me but I can't comment on long term use.

[aion]

If price is the only concern, you can get genuine Alphas with the exact same specs as those (PCB straight pin mount, knurled shaft) from Tayda for only 50 cents - and as a bonus, theirs all include insulators.

[pappasmurfsharem]

If price is the only concern, you can get genuine Alphas with the exact same specs as those (PCB straight pin mount, knurled shaft) from Tayda for only 50 cents - and as a bonus, theirs all include insulators.

Oh I am well familiar with tayda, its my primary source.

Just was thinking about trying some neutrik jacks and mouser had some cheaper ones that I could buy so I figured I might as well try to find other stuff to order to make the shipping worth it.
unfortunately mouser isn't all that inexpensive for some things. Although the SMD J201's I bought are most righteous.

My only complaint with tayda pots.

I want 25K.... such an anoyance.

My Dr Boogie build is all gimpy because of the 50k I put in the

[armdnrdy]

I want 25K.... such an anoyance.

My Dr Boogie build is all gimpy because of the 50k I put in the

Why don't you change the value of the 50K pot with a 51K parallel resistor?

[pappasmurfsharem]

I want 25K.... such an anoyance.

My Dr Boogie build is all gimpy because of the 50k I put in the

Why don't you change the value of the 50K pot with a 51K parallel resistor?

Just screws with the taper at about half to 3/4 turn it goes up then back down however the 50k screws the mid control up so suppose that would be the lesser of two evils

[joegagan]

the stocklist of this series at mouser has all knurled split shaft/ pcb tabs. the values are pretty stompbox friendly. worth a shot.

[thelonious]

They've worked fine for me so far. And some of them come in the smooth slotted shaft variety - search for P160KNP-0EC15. Data sheet describes how they code their part numbers for that series: http://www.mouser.com/ds/2/414/p160-20748.pdf . That partial part # means: P160 series, KN style, P=solder lugs, 0=no detents, E=smooth slotted shaft, 15=15mm shaft.

I got some P160KNP-0EC15A100K that worked great. Like Joe had said before, you can drive yourself partially insane with all the variables, but if you find a series that works and search within that series, you'll be golden.... usually.

[Lurco]

If price is the only concern, you can get genuine Alphas with the exact same specs as those (PCB straight pin mount, knurled shaft) from Tayda for only 50 cents - and as a bonus, theirs all include insulators.

Anyone noticed that the BI-T pots are conductive plastic ones? Those offer quite different specs than carbon comp ones!

[joegagan]

the timing of this thread is really cool.
just this week i began putting my list together to have this exact series made to my specs, will be launching a website
in the coming months to sell these pots in a convenient, pedal friendly spec. a nice way to get them without wading through the menus at mouser. ( will be offering part values that are not avail at mouser unless special ordered also).  yes, the plastic element thing is what attracted me to them.
my proposed list as of now is as follows:
500 ohm     lin

1k     lin,     Rlog

5k      lin

10k     lin ,   log

20k      lin

50k       lin,    log

100k       lin,   log,     Rlog

250k       lin, log

500k     lin    log ,    Rlog

1m     lin,     log

dual gang:
100k    lin
500k       lin

two styles - solder lug with solid shaft, or pcb lug with split knurl shaft.  6.5mm bushing and 10mm shaft.

any comments or feedback welcome. i am trying to cover the majority of values and  build styles that pedal makers use.

[pappasmurfsharem]

the timing of this thread is really cool.
just this week i began putting my list together to have this exact series made to my specs, will be launching a website
in the coming months to sell these pots in a convenient, pedal friendly spec. a nice way to get them without wading through the menus at mouser. ( will be offering part values that are not avail at mouser unless special ordered also).  yes, the plastic element thing is what attracted me to them.
my proposed list as of now is as follows:
500 ohm     lin

1k     lin,     Rlog

5k      lin

10k     lin ,   log

20k      lin

50k       lin,    log

100k       lin,   log,     Rlog

250k       lin, log

500k     lin    log ,    Rlog

1m     lin,     log

dual gang:
100k    lin
500k       lin

two styles - solder lug with solid shaft, or pcb lug with split knurl shaft.  6.5mm bushing and 10mm shaft.

any comments or feedback welcome. i am trying to cover the majority of values and  build styles that pedal makers use.

Surely you want 25k in there for convenience.

[armdnrdy]

Can I place my special order now?

I need a dual 50KB with a 50% center tap for the Multi Flanger, and a 50KB with a 50% center tap for the ADA Final Phase.

I'm not joking. 

[GGBB]

What's the attraction to conductive plastic over carbon?

[joegagan]

larry,

this series has no center tap option.
BI has other series that have taps avail, but in my previous quotes from them they have a 1000 piece minimum to make any given part. can i interest you in 980 pieces? i will put the other 20 into inventory.

plastic has longer wear life and is less noisy in series than carbon. i have found that pregain controls and tone blends are much quieter with plastic element pots.

[joegagan]

Surely you want 25k in there for convenience.

it will either be 20k or 25k.  i guess 25k would be better. thanks for the input.

[armdnrdy]

larry,

this series has no center tap option.
BI has other series that have taps avail, but in my previous quotes from them they have a 1000 piece minimum to make any given part. can i interest you in 980 pieces? i will put the other 20 into inventory.

plastic has longer wear life and is less noisy in series than carbon. i have found that pregain controls and tone blends are much quieter with plastic element pots.

I guess I'd use 980 center tapped pots eventually if I had the secret to eternal life. 

I already made provisions to modify stock pots since I couldn't find center tapped models. (silver conductive paint attaching a wire to the resistive material and epoxy to keep the wire secure.

[GGBB]

plastic has longer wear life and is less noisy in series than carbon. i have found that pregain controls and tone blends are much quieter with plastic element pots.

How are they with heat?  I am thinking tube amp heat.  Some of the pots on my amp are directly above the bias resistor and get really hot - so hot that without a knob they are almost too hot to touch comfortably.  I need to replace my amp's pots and was thinking about those ones.

[joegagan]

not sure about the heat Q. something to research for sure.

[tubegeek]

I just ordered about a dozen assorted values for some breadboarding I'm doing. I'll report in when I get a feel for how I like them.

[joegagan]

I just ordered about a dozen assorted values for some breadboarding I'm doing. I'll report in when I get a feel for how I like them.

thumbs up