Introduction: Which Components Are Worth Salvaging From Electronic Devices (And Where They Are Found)

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About: I've been making Instructables since I was 13. Nowadays I'm busy studying Mechatronics, but I'm still active here, so feel free to reach out!

Taking apart electronic devices is one of my favorite hobbies, My whole room is full with electronic component collections :)

If you want to see more of these kinds of projects make sure to check out my Instructables page and subscribe!

Do you like taking apart electronic devices? I've made a playlist of some electronic devices I've taken apart called "What's Inside", If you're interested:

https://www.instructables.com/id/Whats-Inside-Takin...

This Instructable is being edited right now (sorry for mistakes that show up because I'm working on it now), You'll see the final result if you subscribe!

Step 1: What Parts Do I Need? and Where They Are Found

COMPONENT (WHERE IT IS USUALLY FOUND)

Relays: (HQ Stereo players, UPS's)

Resistors: (everywhere)

LED's: (any device that lights up...)

Magnets: (Motors, Speakers)

Switches: (Devices that need to toggle on and off)

Lens: (Flashlights, Disk Players)

Buzzers: (Printers, Computers, any Device that makes a "beep" sound)

Speakers: (Any device that makes a sound. Phones, Computers, Car Audio Players...)

Solar panels: (Garden Lights, Solar Power-Bank Phone Chargers...)

Heat sinks or strong and flat metal pieces: (TV's, Computers, Variable Power Supplies, Devices that need to be cooled)

Fans: (Computers, Power Adapters, Devices that need to be cooled)

Plugs: (USB, HP plugs, Audio 3.5 mm, Female/Male Plugs of any kind) (Power Adapters, Computers, Cars, Phones, UPS's,)

Springs: (Printers, Disk/Cassette Players)

Photo resistors: (Clocks, Phones, Automatic Adjustable Screens)

Diodes: (Power Supplies, Voltage Regulators, Everywhere)

Bridge rectifiers: (DC power supplies, they are made for AC to DC Converters)

Lasers: (CD Players)

Voltage regulators: (Everywhere)

Huge Tranformers: (Microwaves, Stereo Players)

Step 2: Electric Motors

Usually Found In: Moving Toys, Disk/Cassette Players

Step 3: Rechargeable Batteries

Usually Found In: Garden Lights, UPS's, Phones, Cars, some Generators...

You'll usually find the batteries:

Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cad)

Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH)

Lithium Ion battery (Li-Ion)

Step 4: Variable Resistors/ Potentiometers

Usually Found In: Adjustable Devices, Stereo Players, Variable Power Supplies

I also keep salvaged knobs for future projects

Step 5: Electrolytic Capacitors

These are found everywhere

I've also published an Instructable on "How I Organize My Electrolytic Capacitor Collection" If you're interested

The second picture shows only part of the collection...

Step 6: Wires

Wires are found in all electronic devices

I am in the process of making an Instructable explaining "How I Organize My Wire Collection", And I will put the link here when I upload it. The picture shows only part of it...

Step 7: Screws!

Found In any electronics appliance, Well you know...

By the way this collection has more than 7 killograms (15 pounds) of screws!

Step 8: Stuff I Collect But I Will Never Use

Tungsten: (from incandescent light-bulbs)

Cameras: (from phones or laptops)

If you want to see more of these kinds of projects make sure to check out my instructables page and subscribe :)