HALP! Where to store all of these Capacitors?

[KeriJane]

Hello....

I have a problem that some would envy....
Too many Capacitors!
This comes from ordering caps by the 10's at DigiKey. I may need 6, so I order 20. Or maybe 30. And maybe some other ones that I noticed on the way over. Good thing there's no price break at 50!

Ziplock bags and Shoeboxes are getting awfully full and difficult to sort through.

So far, I got 3 shoeboxes, one for 16v and under, one for 25v and over and one for polymer capacitors (mostly empty),

Two of the shoeboxes are bulging and spilling over. Eww. Looks like I need 5 total, and that's just for now.

Now I've got PLENTY of shoeboxes but there's just gotta be a better way.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a portable, tidy, well organized storage unit? My sewing boxes seem too small. Maybe some kind of tool box? Should I go to Menards?

Please don't say that I've got to get some kind of fancy anti-static thing.

Thanks for any advice,
Keri

[linuxguru]

Re: HALP! Where to store all of these Capacitors?

I use ziplocks of various sizes, which are then stuffed into larger clear bags and shoeboxes. You can use stackable plastic cartons if things get really hairy.

[dood]

Re: HALP! Where to store all of these Capacitors?

I use a small parts rack for mine. The kind with the little plastic slide-out drawers.



Unfortunately, it's not portable. When I'm doing an on-site recap (which I try to avoid), I just dump them into plastic bags.

[pwrusr1]

Re: HALP! Where to store all of these Capacitors?

I use a small parts rack for mine. The kind with the little plastic slide-out drawers.

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Unfortunately, it's not portable. When I'm doing an on-site recap (which I try to avoid), I just dump them into plastic bags.

Where did you find that? I think me any everyone else here needs one (or ten depending on how hard core you car )

[Krankshaft]

Re: HALP! Where to store all of these Capacitors?

I use the same system. Bought the drawers at K-Mart for about 14 bucks each.

I just organized my stash about 8 months ago. Before then they were in their labeled bags from Mouser and Digikey.

In a large box when the bags kept falling out onto the floor and I found myself dumping the box over to scavenge for the right value cap.

I knew something had to be done. Took me about 10 hours to sort and figure out how to categorize them.

That big brown box is my degaussing coil and the white one is my HV probe for CRT anodes.

As you can see I only have 2 series of caps Chemicon KMGs for GP and Pana FCs for low ESR. Since I mostly work with PSUs and TVs it's fine for me.

The first set of drawers without GP on them are Pana FCs and ones with GP are Chemicon KMGs.

If I ever needed ultra low ESR caps for mobos I'd buy another drawer.

Since I've done this I can't tell you how easy it is to check my stock and reorder rather than scavenging through a bunch of bags in a box.

A good tip I wrote on the drawers with a Sharpie but a bit of rubbing alcohol on a towel and it comes right off if I ever need to recategorize.

It also is good for fuses which are on the right same system SB for slo blo and no SB for fast blow.

[pwrusr1]

Re: HALP! Where to store all of these Capacitors?

Thank you krankshaft for that post. Now I know where to start looking for a good storage solution

[lucky13]

Re: HALP! Where to store all of these Capacitors?

Krankshaft,

That's a very well organized set up you have there!

Thanks for sharing with us.

As soon as I have build up more inventory of caps, I will do something similiar to your set up.

Maybe I will model after dood's setup as I only have no more than 10 values of low esr caps.

[bgavin]

Re: HALP! Where to store all of these Capacitors?

Now I've got PLENTY of shoeboxes but there's just gotta be a better way.

What's wrong with shoe boxes?
I buy in 200pc bags for the price break, and don't stock what I don't use.
Mine got into the big freezer Ziplock bags and then marked.

[Richie_asg1]

Re: HALP! Where to store all of these Capacitors?

I bought an Apothecary Chest years ago - 42 deep drawers. Still keep things in zip loc bags in there as I'm not at the overflowing stages yet.
It just keeps all my other junk out the way - and looks nice in the living room.

Sometimes Auction houses sell storage that was used in libraries for microfilm or index cards. These would be ideal for lots of small items I would think.

Screwfix sell toolboxes designed to organise screws. Both sides open out - I think you get 25 compartments each side.

[MegaOne302]

Re: HALP! Where to store all of these Capacitors?

What's wrong with shoe boxes?
I buy in 200pc bags for the price break, and don't stock what I don't use.
Mine got into the big freezer Ziplock bags and then marked.

Nothing, that's what I use, picked up three dozen from Lowes for a little over a buck each.

They're the clear plastic type by Rubbermaid called (Clear Impressions type S).

These Shoe Boxes are good for the larger stuff and see-through ESD Zip Bags are great for organizing the smaller stuff.