Author Archives: K J

OPA111BM and other hard to find parts

“I was so happy to find that you had Burr Brown OPA111BM in stock!” or “I’ve been looking for that Air Variable Capacitor for months! Can you get more of them?” We get these comments a lot from our customers.Air Variable Capacitors

West Florida Components started out selling surplus electronics before selling both obsolete and new-from-factory parts, and we made a name for ourselves by sourcing hard to get and out of production parts.

Over the years, we’ve kept looking for the surplus parts because our customers need them. Do you have a part that you can’t locate? Send us the part number and we’ll put it on our list of parts we’re actively looking for. We have an extensive list of suppliers and will be happy to look for you.

Converting dimensions from fractions to metric to decimal

We Americans are so used to seeing decimals or fractions for measurements that it’s not been easy for us to adapt to the metric system. Unfortunately, the industry standard sizes of most electronic components are provided in datasheets and descriptions as metric equivalents.

Need to convert a fraction or decimal to the metric system easily? Here is a decimal to fraction to millimeter conversion chart that will make that task easy for you. If you want to convert a number more precisely, use this link to jump to an online metric conversion calculator.

Of course, you can just use standard fractions, but it’s hard to find a T1 3/4 LED when you’re looking for it as a 0.19685 inches LED.

Screw-on rubber feet – newly expanded product line!

recessed bumpersWe’re listening! You requested a bigger selection, we got them! West Florida Components has now expanded their line of recessed bumpers. Recessed bumpers are also known as screw-on rubber feet and cabinet feet.

The rubber feet can be used in a variety of applications from electronic equipment to woodworking or carpentry and furniture. Where ever you require a rubber foot with a screw, these new rubber feet can be used. Check the specs on each foot for the sizes, recommended screw size and weight rating for each foot.

West Florida Components now carries 11 different sizes and shapes – including the popular square feet and the traditional round feet. Both shapes accept different screw sizes and rivets because of the plated steel support bushings included in the recessed area of each foot.

All the cabinet feet are manufactured from thermoplastic rubber which provides excellent shock absorbingsquare cabinet feet qualities and traction as well as being a non-marking material. Thermoplastic rubber is traditionally molded from Monsanto Santoprene®. Santoprene® is a thermoplastic rubber designed to offer chemical resistance equivalent to neoprene and is resistant to a wide variety of solvents and chemicals.

10 Things Your iPhone Can Remote Control

Among the estimated 50,000 iPhone apps, you can find quite a few that make your life easier by functioning as a remote control. After looking at many, we found that these were the 10 coolest things (mostly electronic) that you can remote control with your iPhone.

  • Using the Pocket BLU app, you can control your Blu-Ray Discs for playback, pausing, etc
  • With a Keynote remote and the iWork suite, you can remote control your presentations
  • For $2.99, you can buy a PhotoKeys Photoshop app which gets the Photoshop toolbar on your iPhone
  • The free Apple Remote app will allow you to remote control your iTunes Jukebox
  • Air Mouse Pro lets you convert your iPhone into a wireless trackpad and keyboard
  • Some DVRS like the ones from DirecTV, DISH Network and Comcast can be controlled with an iPhone app

  • Use the Zipcar app to book a rental car – then you can use your iPhone to make the horn beep or unlock the car
  • An app for Schlage LiNK allows you to use your iPhone to lock, unlock your doors, turn lights on, turn your security system on or off, etc

  • The L5 remote add-on will convert your iPhone into a universal remote control
  • iCarly fan? Get the “Sam’s Remote” app which turns your iPhone into the iCarly remote – complete with sound
  • The best app for the iPhone? How about “The Boyfriend Remote”…Increase his income, make him take you shoe shopping. Possibilities are endless.