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What do you do with gear not worth fixing?

M

MFRD

AK Subscriber
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I've been going through my pile of components that I got for free or almost. Some are fixable, but the value of the fix would exceed the value of the working component, making repair an irrational economic decision.

Here is an example. Some months ago I spotted a small stack of BPC by the curbside on trash day, so I stopped and rescued it. In addition to a Sony amp stuck in protection mode and a dirty but otherwise perfectly fine Onkyo receiver was this MCS 3873 amplifier, also stuck in protection

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The big display is goofy but the amp is hefty and pretty well built, with good quality components:

1000000883.jpg

Turns out the 2 big Sanken outputs (2SA1491/2SC3855) in the R channel are shorted base to collector, and in the L channel one tests OK but the other has an hFE of 9.

A working MCS 3873 trades under $100, making repair a bit of a losing proposition.

What do you guys do with gear like that?

Put it in the recycling?

Part it out and sell the good parts on eBay?

Put it on craigslist for free?

Stash it in the garage as future organ donor?

Or...?
 
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I'm getting ready to take a pile of AM/FM tuners (mostly BPC) to Goodwill ... I haven't been able to sell them as hardly anyone listens to the radio anymore.
 
The township I live in takes in stereo gear for recycling, no charge.

There are charges for televisions and printers.
 
First off I would have to question why pick it up at all? Was the allure of "free" simply too strong?

In the past, I have typically kept old stuff with the idea of pirating parts. After sitting for years and never actually taking/using any parts, they would get thrown out.
 
Depends on how I'm feeling. Sometimes I will spend time stripping stuff other times.. Into the trash it goes. Normally I will at least steal heat sinks no matter how lazy I'm feeling.
 
i don't pick up strays on the curb so that keeps down on junk.

but if i have something, usually with a faulty tuner that i can't figure out. i write down what ICs it has in the tuner on a piece of tape. put the tape on the unit and stick it in the boneyard(my attic)

if it comes to that point, i will remove the ICs and any fets or rf bjt in the tuner before i shitcan it.
 
It really depends on what and how bad it is.
eBay for parts if they are worth it. I like the fact that someone-who could be me-is looking for something custom, like that goofy display.
If the preamp is good enough I might add pre out jacks. Seems like I always have more amps than preamp/control amps. Old ones always have phono.
Otherwise the wires get cut out and maybe the transformer and heatsink removed if they’re readily accessible. Then it all goes into the scrap pile, but this simple sorting maximizes value.
I also sometimes practice removing parts I’ve had issues with before.
 
I try to give stuff away if I can. If nobody wants it, the Salvation Army or Goodwill gets it. I live on a busy road, so sometimes I'll leave stuff on the curb the day before trash day. It's almost always gone before the truck gets there.
 
E-cycle. I wouldn't donate it, that just makes it someone else's headache (since it's not worth the cost of repair) and time waster. Or you could advertise on your local free site (e.g. craigslist, facebook) as "nonworking, for parts". Some electronics hobbyist might want the power supply if nothing else.
 
Transformers and heatsinks can be a little expensive. You can use them to make yourself a little DIY project like a class A headphone amp or something if you're inclined to mess around with stuff like that.
 
MFRD said:
I've been going through my pile of components that I got for free or almost. Some are fixable, but the value of the fix would exceed the value of the working component, making repair an irrational economic decision.

Here is an example. Some months ago I spotted a small stack of BPC by the curbside on trash day, so I stopped and rescued it. In addition to a Sony amp stuck in protection mode and a dirty but otherwise perfectly fine Onkyo receiver was this MCS 3873 amplifier, also stuck in protection

View attachment 3832682

The big display is goofy but the amp is hefty and pretty well built, with good quality components:

View attachment 3832684

Turns out the 2 big Sanken outputs (2SA1491/2SC3855) in the R channel are shorted base to collector, and in the L channel one tests OK but the other has an hFE of 9.

A working MCS 3873 trades under $100, making repair a bit of a losing proposition.

What do you guys do with gear like that?

Put it in the recycling?

Part it out and sell the good parts on eBay?

Put it on craigslist for free?

Stash it in the garage as future organ donor?

Or...?
Click to expand...

If its trash, trash it, but you may want to keep the knobs and switch hats and feet, little stuff like that. Some of the older style screws as well.
 
krautmaster said:
I'm getting ready to take a pile of AM/FM tuners (mostly BPC) to Goodwill ... I haven't been able to sell them as hardly anyone listens to the radio anymore.
Click to expand...
Shoot me a PM. I'd like an FM tuner for my bedroom set up. And tell me where ya are. Depending on distance I'd be willing to travel a little just to get outta the house.
 
1788895501336-png.3832819

DesertRatt said:
^^^^^^^Right in there!
Click to expand...
I used to let people make me feel guilty about chucking things.

Not anymore.

62747c9e-ae24-4149-acce-c468713b6b8f.jpg
 
I've chucked lots and lots of electronics, computers, paintings, speakers, whatever. Almost always there is a "transfer station" and you chuck the junk in a covered building where guys and bulldozers roam. Guys always "pick" anything that looks even potentially valuable.

When there's no more room at the casa, I WILL make room, one way or another. Selling stuff is getting more and more difficult everyday. When you have a heavy thing, that is broken, selling it for $25, or trying to give it away is near impossible. FB and CL are chock-a-block with goofballs, scam artists, and just garden variety flakes. Not many people give a damn even about WORKING stereo-junk - no matter how low the price. No one has any money anymore, or any interest.
 
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