Spare parts for Express

[njKeever]

When I built my fifth and final Express last night I couldn't find one of the fuses. I am going to order some from Mouser but was wondering what other spare parts I should order as well. For those of you that have had parts go out, what do you recommend? ie, 1 spare triac per controller, 2 spare leds per controllers, etc.

[Steve Gase]

I'm interested in this topic too.  Thanks for starting it.

I've heard people suggest fuses (the little green ones), and 485 chips, and PICs.  I'd have to go to mouser to find the right ones of each of the kits that I've built.  The 485 and PICs are frequently suggested for swapping during troubleshooting procedures.

[jnealand]

I have spare PICs of every kind that I use, spare fuses for each type of controller, spare triacs, spare optos, spare sockets (mostly got those in case I messed up during assembly), extra resistors, spare PCBs for Dongle and EXRX, even spare built and tested EXRX and dongles.  I also usually try not to use all 16 channels on an LE when doing setup if I can so I end up with spare channels in case I need them and I have needed them at times.  It is pretty cheap to add another $10 of stuff to a Mouser order when shipping is going to cost so much later on if I need to rush get a part during the season.  And other than PICs, most of the stuff is pretty inexpensive.

[Jeffl]

In the five years I have been doing this I have never even had a fuse blow.  I keep a spare controller just in case.  It's easier to swap that out when it cold outside than to have to fix things.

[jnealand]

I have never had a fuse blow either.  Neither have I had my house burn down.  But I still have fire insurance.

[Jeffl]

I have insurance as well.  With 40 controllers, LOR and Lynx deployed, it shows how reliable these units are.  I have spare fuses as these are easy to get and Radio Shack.  If you can afford an extra controller, I would advise it as it's far easier to swap a controller than fix a board.

[Blackbeard]

I have never had a fuse blow either.  Neither have I had my house burn down.  But I still have fire insurance.

Are you suggesting I should not only have spare controllers, but also a spare house?

Gosh this hobby is expensive.

[jnealand]

I also like the idea of a spare controller, but every time I think I may have that I come up with more stuff to animate.  This is an addictive hobby.  Who can afford a spare house because we would probably want to decorate it as well besides any money for a spare house could be spent on more lights.  LOL

Sorry Jeff I thought you might be implying that there was no need to have spare fuses.

[Trevor]

I too, always have a few spare controllers laying around JUST IN CASE. As well as Triac's seems they dislike my LE's