Mailed from China, made in Mexico, go figure

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:lmao:

I'm sorry. I just can't help but laugh. Reminds me of those cartoon suitcases that go around the world and have all the stickers on them.

Hopefully they are not counterfeit.
 
I'm suspicious enough that I'm not going to use them........$12.76 down the tubes.

One MJ21194 weighed in at 14.1 gm the other at 15.8 (the light one was noticeably lighter and the case base was much thinner. Also the undersides molding was different.

The epoxy type insulation area where the leads protrude is only a bit over 3mm dia on all four.

The thin baseplate on the light is only 2mm......the other 3 are 3mm.

That's what I get for donating my $ to the enemy!:nono:m :tears:,:smoke:
 
I would not expect farnell to have counterfeits. They are a large distributor and I would have as much faith in them as I would mouser or newark. maybe my faith is miss-guided, but they sell large quantities all over the world. I would be surprised if these were fake.
 
yeah, got'em from a Canada ebay store. At least they are nice about my claim:

thanks for contacting us.
since you are unsatisfied with these Item , we offer no-question-refund policy ,
you can return these Item to this address by ecomomy shipping ,
LI WEN
THE AIRPORT POST OFFICE, SHE BEI WEI HU ZHONG XIN,
BAO AN, SHENZHEN CITY,
GUANGDONG,
CHINA
CELLPHONE: 13923488897
ZIP CODE: 518028

i will offer you full-refund after i receive the returning package .
your understand would be much appraciated .


regards
janet

It does help my anger-management!:sigh:
 
If you post pictures of them, I am sure some of the expert techs on this board could help you confirm or deny their authenticity.
 
It isn't unheard of for products like garments, which are subject to quotas based on country-of-origin, to be deliberately mis-labeled. I'm guessing that ones marked "Made in Mexico" come in without taxes under NAFTA, whereas Chinese ones are subject to import duties? That would be a possible reason for a Chinese maker to deliberately label their products as Made in Mexico. Illegal, but many (not all) Chinese businessmen will do such things, to make a buck.
 
DSCF3447.jpg


DSCF3442.jpg


DSCF3449.jpg


These aren't the greatest pic's. But, you can see the varied mold marks, and the exposed insulating areas all measure a hair over 3mm vs normal hair under 6mm.

The 21194 on the far left is noticebly lighter during handling, has a 1mm thinner base plate and is the only one without the bulge/rounded hat.

I decided not to return for refund and filed a counterfiet claim on ebay

I may be totally wrong, but I would not think there would be that much variance, Chuck
 
I think you are correct. I've done a lot of research online when replacing transistors, and they have a lot of the signs of a fake, especially that second one. I am far from an expert, but why take a chance?

If you get to keep them, cut them open to see what they look like.
 
Here's one of the first articles that chronicles fakes on major power transistors:

http://sound.westhost.com/fake/counterfeit-p1.htm

Here's another page directly dealing with the MJ21193/4. Note that the genuine Motorola is in a plastic power package. I don't have the datasheet to compare with though as to whether they also came in a TO-3 metal package like what you received.

http://sound.westhost.com/fake/counterfeit-p3.htm

What are the date codes on yours?

mjl21194.jpg


Probably just best to buy ON-Semi parts locally from US distributor. However, article says some ON-Semi fakes have also shown up.

Here's ON-Semi's dimensioning for TO-204 (Former TO-3) packaging from 1988 and still used today:

http://www.onsemi.com/pub_link/Collateral/1-07.PDF Note thickness of base plate.
 
Just Checked On-Semi's website. Check under audio transistors and your part will come up. They do make it in a TO-3 package. Clicking on the link will bring you to the MJ21193 page:

http://www.onsemi.com/PowerSolutions/product.do?id=MJ21193

You can buy samples directly if you have an account. Or you can mouse over the Inventory link next to the price to see current inventory at major distributors including Digi-Key and Future Electronics that cater to small orders. If its available at Digi-Key, I'd certainly recommend them as a reliable supplier.

At DigiKey, Note the prices in single quantities for the available ROHS free part at $4.56 per for the 21193 and 21194. If you needed 2 of each, your total cost for the parts is under $20 and the shipping probably no more than $5. So, although double your cost from Ebay seller, peace of mind is priceless! Plus you know you got it from a well known ISO9001 American Manufacturer and American Distributor. In my mind, that's all good. :thmbsp:
 
These aren't the greatest pic's. But, you can see the varied mold marks, and the exposed insulating areas all measure a hair over 3mm vs normal hair under 6mm.

The 21194 on the far left is noticebly lighter during handling, has a 1mm thinner base plate and is the only one without the bulge/rounded hat.

I decided not to return for refund and filed a counterfiet claim on ebay

I may be totally wrong, but I would not think there would be that much variance, Chuck
Not one of those is an authentic On-Semi part.

These cost a whopping $3.63 ea from Mouser. Why buy from e-friggin-Bay (especially China, the home of 'here, please rip me off'?)
 
You can also order direct from OnSemi and sometime you can get lucky and free samples are available on the new no-lead versions. They will give you five samples for free. You just need to register as a business.
 
I am thakful for the input and feel like a real dummy/traitor for doing what I did (I do try to exclude China, who I feel like, may be our second greatest enemy, from my day to day spending).

I have followed EW's advice"

'These cost a whopping $3.63 ea from Mouser. Why buy from e-friggin-Bay (especially China, the home of 'here, please rip me off'?)'

and place my order with Mouser (whom keeps me in constant reading material, lots and LOTS)

Thanx much, gang, Chuck
 
I would not expect farnell to have counterfeits. They are a large distributor and I would have as much faith in them as I would mouser or newark. maybe my faith is miss-guided, but they sell large quantities all over the world. I would be surprised if these were fake.

i'm sure farnell doesnt deal with the counterfeits and that's why i ordered from them instead of going to the local shops here in Singapore. There was this time when I was at the shop looking for MJ15003/4 and I was offered two options: S$6 for Made in Mexico and S$4 for the Made in China replacement. Funny thing is that they don't call it a 'fake' but they will tell you that the latter may not be 'made to specs'.
 
DSCF3455-1.jpg


top row from Mouser, bottom from Hong Kong

note the filler mold marks and insulator diameters
 
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I learned a big lesson here and it's not about ebay (which has been kind to me, both ways)........I try my best not to buy anything from China.....I just popped my clutch without being in gear on this one:no::thumbsdn:, Chuck
 
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