component supplies

[wotwot]

Hi my name is Andy and I am a break it and fixit type.Usually meaning i did'nt mean to break it but I love to try and fix things.
I have a fairly basic understanding of the workings inside products,I used to fix my own tv's a long time ago when they wer'nt as reliable as they are today.
One was an old ferguson 26 inch colour in rather striking wood casing that used to have roll shutter doors on,it was called SOLID STATE back then (no valves to warm up)and needed a part on the main power board which i had identified as been dead, I went to a place in london rd southend on sea with the power supply in hand, the place was like an alladins cave absolutely full of everything electronic and scattered everywhere.
I eagerly pointed to the part that needed replacing which turned out to be a capacitor, and he scurried off stating that "we have one of those".
He came back 5 minutes later with a box about 3 times larger than the whole power supply I had in hand, as I opened the box I said " i only want a couple of capacitors". To my suprise it was a brand new power supply board, and the cost £5.00 an absolute bargain and kept the tv going for another 3 years without fault.
So I used to use this place all the time for variuos parts, but am unable to find him now maybe he has retired or something.
So to my question do any of you folk know of anywhere I can WALK in and buy electronic components off the shelf so to speak, seems as though these type of places are few and far between now.
Maplins do a limited range of components and i am after a TIP 35C darlington transistor, and in case you may be wondering it is from a wire feed controller on a small mig welder,something else I mananged to break .
Any help would be greatfully received I live in chelmsford essex.

[Simon (Webmaster)]

It is indeed a sorry state of affairs. The idea of repairing anything seems to have gone out of the window - you just chuck it out and buy a new one. Maplin are the only national component supplier I can think of that you would find on the high street, but even they seem more interested in selling disco and audio gear than resistors or capacitors these days. I'm sure there are a few independent repair shops around still that may hold stocks of components, or be able to get parts you require from the likes of RS or Farnell. These could be your best bet.

RS also have trade counters, I think non-account holders can use these and pay by card, but there will be a minimum order value (£20 last time I looked). Likewise you RS an Farnell will accept non-account online orders with a card. Not as convenient as popping down the road though, even if you can exceed the min order value.

[wotwot]

Thanks for the reply simon,could you tell me the difference between a TIP 35C darlington transistor and a TIP36C darlington transistor ???.
I looked at the data sheet they are both on the same sheet,is one a NPN and one a PNP, and what is the difference in laymans terms if possible.
Can I use a TIP36C in place of the TIP35C sorry if this sounds a bit DUMB but as I managed to fry the last one DUMB seems about right.

[cajun128]

There is never a stupid or dumb question in electronics.I'm assuming that the transitors is a darlington pair,If you have a multimeter you can tell if they are npn or pnp. In a pnp transistor the center lead will be negative,touch the center lead with the (Black) lead of the meter, take the other lead from the meter(Red) to the other lead. you should have continuity,then check the other lead should read the same. Both transistors should read out the same if they are a darlington pair. Hope that makes sense.



Kerry