1/4th vs 1/8th W resistors

[Synchrony Pedalworks]

I have a ton of 1/8W resistors, but like most, forgot to order some 1/4W values. I hope I can substitute the 1/8W resistors, so I don’t have to put resistors is parallel or in series.

Can most of the PedalPCB projects be safely done with 1/8W resistors?

Is there any rule of thumb to determine when 1/8W is not advisable?

Thanks!

 

[Barry]

I have a ton of 1/8W resistors, but like most, forgot to order some 1/4W values. I hope I can substitute the 1/8W resistors, so I don’t have to put resistors is parallel or in series.

Can most of the PedalPCB projects be safely done with 1/8W resistors?

Is there any rule of thumb to determine when 1/8W is not advisable?

Thanks!

1/8th watt will be fine.

 

[Synchrony Pedalworks]

1/8th watt will be fine.

Perfect and thanks!

 

[jimilee]

This is DIY, do it until the magic smoke comes out.

 

[fig]

If I had a nickel for every time jimilee....I'd have a sh*tload of nickels!

 

[Gordo]

I've switched entirely to 1/8th because it's cheap and easy and can't see a downside.

Of course maybe all my pedals sound like ass and it could have easily been avoided

 

[Robert]

Of course maybe all my pedals sound like ass and it could have easily been avoided

Tone is in that last 1/8W.

 

[Laundryroom David]

This is DIY, do it until the magic smoke comes out.

one time I breadboarded a ruby amp (I think - definitely a ROG project) and I effed up a connection to the lm386 and I’m playing along and then the smell hits me, I touch the 386 and realize it’s about to start fusing helium, so my dumb ass grabs the battery. Leads come out of the breadboard just fine but then they have a little hug because of the stress of it all and their pvc coating melts together, the battery is about to blow. I grab my handy tin snips and cut the leads off just down from the battery snap and everything was just dandy.

And then I changed my pants.

 

[Feral Feline]

I've switched entirely to 1/8th because it's cheap and easy and can't see a downside.

Of course maybe all my pedals sound like ass and it could have easily been avoided

Isn't there LESS thermal noise in 1/8w vs 1/4w?

 

[Synchrony Pedalworks]

one time I breadboarded a ruby amp (I think - definitely a ROG project) and I effed up a connection to the lm386 and I’m playing along and then the smell hits me, I touch the 386 and realize it’s about to start fusing helium, so my dumb ass grabs the battery. Leads come out of the breadboard just fine but then they have a little hug because of the stress of it all and their pvc coating melts together, the battery is about to blow. I grab my handy tin snips and cut the leads off just down from the battery snap and everything was just dandy.

And then I changed my pants.

I can totally see myself doing that!

 

[Laundryroom David]

I can totally see myself doing that!

I don’t recommend it, but it was pretty clear failure. Tasty, smokey failure.

On the other hand, I’ve used 1/8 w resistors in 9 volt circuits plenty of times with no drama and no smoke . I’ve not used them in 18 v circuits, though.

 

[benny_profane]

V = I * R
P = V * I

Ohms Law Calculator

Simple to use Ohm's Law Calculator. Calculate Power, Current, Voltage or Resistance. Just enter 2 known values and the calculator will solve for the others.

ohmslawcalculator.com

 

[hamerfan]

I grabbed a cheap set of ceramic 1/8 with 5% from China. They worked so far, but often they are far off the labeled specs. I measure every one before loading in the PCB. Next time I grab 1/8 metal films with a tighter 1% tolerance.

 

[Gordo]

I've had great luck with Tayda's and usually buy them 100 at a time. Realistically I may have enough resistors to last me a lifetime.

 

[Synchrony Pedalworks]

I've had great luck with Tayda's and usually buy them 100 at a time. Realistically I may have enough resistors to last me a lifetime.

My problem is opposite of yours. I am stingy and buy only 10-20 resistors at a time, and then run out….I need to change that habit. Resistors are the cheapest part!

 

[Erik S]

My problem is opposite of yours. I am stingy and buy only 10-20 resistors at a time, and then run out….I need to change that habit. Resistors are the cheapest part!

I'm not up to 100 yet, but I did stop ordering fewer than 20 of any value I need.

 

[Laundryroom David]

I love buying resistors

 

[psb962]

I've been buying from mouser in lots of 10 (or 20 for the popular ones) but I'm annoyed at their website - they have many different models of same resistor value even of same brand, so it takes some effort to select every one. And then I find that a load of my latest batch seem to be half the size the rest...

 

[Laundryroom David]

47.5k? Hell yeah let’s buy 100 of those, I’m flush. Total cost? $1.75

 

[KR Sound]

47.5k? Hell yeah let’s buy 100 of those, I’m flush. Total cost? $1.75

That’s why I have 200 68k