32
My off-brand fuse choice caused a stir at the repair meet
I was at a local repair meet last week, and a guy saw me put an off-brand fuse in a vintage radio. He gave me this look like I was nuts. Lots of folks there only go for brand-name components, saying they last longer. But I have fixed many sets with cheap fuses, and they work just fine. Once, I put in a no-name capacitor in a guitar amp, and it has been running for years now. I get that quality matters, but for simple items, it is not always worth the extra cash. So yeah, I will keep using what gets the job done.
3 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In3 Comments
kimh672mo ago
You're absolutely right to use what gets the job done! I've fixed up a dozen vintage radios with off-brand fuses and never had a call back. Same goes for capacitors in old stereos, those cheap ones can last for ages. Some folks at meets act like you're committing a crime, but it's just not true. If the part meets the right specs, it doesn't need a fancy name on it. Keep doing what works for you and your budget!
8
henry_webb682mo ago
Specs matter, but so does how parts are made. I've had off-brand caps fail on me.
8
the_felix1mo agoTop Commenter
Meets the specs" ignores how they handle heat over time though.
3