TNY180PN chips from AliExpress look fake but turn out to be real

[ESXi]

 

I kept on wondering if the chips I brought where real or fake so I took my 8 and 6mm lens took a 2.5mm hard drive a led lamp and some paper to my desk and started playing again haha. They are real (the die). But compared to the original package the "fake" chips just had laser engraving for the chip number and manufacturing date. The package quality was I guess cut down but good enough, I hope.

The broken package with the more white printing is the real deal. The laser engraved one is the "fake", actually real one too!

Not always when you buy from Chenzhen IC global you would except fake ones. Particularly not when you pay a price that would not even get you one real chip here from mouser while I got 10 chips delivered to my mailbox for the price of one chip, shipped! This really made me laugh 

The package photo of the die impression was from the real one, I lost the die it also blew up so wasn't sure if it was possible but given all the similarities in the impression and the Power integrations logo, I think its real? It must be real why would they bother putting in the fake logo on the die, or do they? Anyways I don't think its fake.

All photos
https://mega.nz/#!9NJjmCDQ!5Jr89L-95Bdpv-GOYDPIhy0WvPXMJkt0hREXEa0VnrU

Photos taken with
Resolution: 13 Mpx
Sensor: Sony IMX258
Type: CMOS
Aperture: ƒ/ 2.0
Pixel size: 1.12 µm
Sensor size: 1/3.06

& 8 & 6mm cctv lenses

[wraper]

There is nothing wrong with laser marking as such, and ICs of newer make have it. But this part is certainly not genuine. Top of the package was 100% sanded and new marking applied. It can be recycled from e-waste or lower spec part from TNY174-180 series relabeled as TNY180PN.

[ESXi]

There is nothing wrong with laser marking as such, and ICs of newer make have it. But this part is certainly not genuine. Top of the package was 100% sanded and new marking applied. It can be recycled from e-waste or lower spec part from TNY174-180 series relabeled as TNY180PN.

Hmmm.. Alright, but how does that chip look inside (TNY174-180 series). Almost the same or not? Don't think its recycled, all pins were perfectly clean no solder or sth. The chip says Thailand with a F in the middle on the underside of the chip. But if they recycle the chip they don't extraxt the die they just sand it right? I checked all legs and they don't have any scratches on them so I guess they are real. Maybe they only thing they did was sand and write another part number on it because it's another chip, lower end one?

[wraper]

Hmmm.. Alright, but how does that chip look inside, almost the same then?

Chips within series have vastly different power rating, so different die size. It also could be for example from TNY280 series which have the same pinout.

[ESXi]

Hmmm.. Alright, but how does that chip look inside, almost the same then?

Chip within series have vastly different power rating, so different die size. It also could be for example from TNY280 series which have the same pinout.

Alright, sucks that I lost the burnt up die and that I am limited by the level of magnification. Would have loved to compare them better. Didn't knew they then almost looked the same, would have excepted the smaller ICs to just be mostly redone or changed in layout for different models of the chips. But it's almost the same as for example Intel chips. They just improve and build upon version to make it better and better. Said now, that actually makes sense, why would a programmer toss out the kernel, no he does not, he builds upon this version and improves ..

[wraper]

Don't think its recycled, all pins were perfectly clean no solder or sth.

Don't be so sure about that. They often cut old leads very close to the package and then weld on new leads instead.

[daqq]

Why do people persist in this folly? Why continue to buy stuff from a totally disreputable place, where a lot of the time you get some random crap, some time you get the real deal, but every time you have to invest lots of time investigating it, and even if you manage, through lots of testing confirm that it's the real deal, you can't really trust it?

Buying crap only encourages sellers to sell crap.

[ESXi]

Don't think its recycled, all pins were perfectly clean no solder or sth.

Don't be so sure about that. They often cut old leads very close to the package and then weld on new leads instead.

Can't find any proof to that in my case.
What they did was sand the top off and change die revision by changing model of the chip.

3:38
https://youtu.be/k72SFBOZ_lw
It's true.

Why do people persist in this folly? Why continue to buy stuff from a totally disreputable place, where a lot of the time you get some random crap, some time you get the real deal, but every time you have to invest lots of time investigating it, and even if you manage, through lots of testing confirm that it's the real deal, you can't really trust it?

Buying crap only encourages sellers to sell crap.

I actually didn't knew if it would work and instead of investing more money on a completely blown up power supply or bad transformers. Turned out not to be the case, anyways. Some vintage chips you cannot buy new and you need to use a fake or recycled chip.

For now, this was my last non vintage chip from AliExpress. It's just not worth the time waiting and the unnecessary questions because they decided to sandblast the chip to make it a higher end part.

I think in my case they sold me a lower TNY part something within the TNY174-180 series.

Ps: I got part of my money back because most chips had bent pins (poor packaging). So, what's left of what I paid. Its not even what I pay for one beer here in the pub so, no big deal.

[wraper]

Don't think its recycled, all pins were perfectly clean no solder or sth.

Don't be so sure about that. They often cut old leads very close to the package and then weld on new leads instead.

Can't find any proof to that in my case.

It's barely noticeable. And usually you can see it only on inner side of the leads when looking under microscope.

[ESXi]

Don't think its recycled, all pins were perfectly clean no solder or sth.

Don't be so sure about that. They often cut old leads very close to the package and then weld on new leads instead.

Can't find any proof to that in my case.

It's barely noticeable. And usually you can see it only on inner side of the leads when looking under microscope.

Have you got any advice on how to find out, I can don't bother to sacrifice more chips. Just curious now
Can't see anything stange with my lens and the chip I opened up had the legs perfectly connected.

[wraper]

Have you got any advice on how to find out, I can don't bother to sacrifice more chips. Just curious now
Can't see anything stange with my lens and the chip I opened up had the legs perfectly connected.

Basically you should see a line across lead where welding happened. Expect within around 1-2 mm from the package. Usually not visible on front side. The same goes with transistors, vregs.
Would be best if you post actual photo.

[james_s]

Why do people persist in this folly? Why continue to buy stuff from a totally disreputable place, where a lot of the time you get some random crap, some time you get the real deal, but every time you have to invest lots of time investigating it, and even if you manage, through lots of testing confirm that it's the real deal, you can't really trust it?

Buying crap only encourages sellers to sell crap.

Sometimes telling what is reputable is easier said than done. I try to avoid the obviously suspicious stuff but other times I just take a gamble and then file a claim if I get something that's not as described. I end up with free parts that may be at least marginally useful and the seller is discouraged from continuing to sell junk. A lot of those sellers thrive because people just write off a few dollars and don't bother to file a claim.

[ESXi]

Why do people persist in this folly? Why continue to buy stuff from a totally disreputable place, where a lot of the time you get some random crap, some time you get the real deal, but every time you have to invest lots of time investigating it, and even if you manage, through lots of testing confirm that it's the real deal, you can't really trust it?

Buying crap only encourages sellers to sell crap.

Sometimes telling what is reputable is easier said than done. I try to avoid the obviously suspicious stuff but other times I just take a gamble and then file a claim if I get something that's not as described. I end up with free parts that may be at least marginally useful and the seller is discouraged from continuing to sell junk. A lot of those sellers thrive because people just write off a few dollars and don't bother to file a claim.

To be clear here. I suspected it to be fake, I mean 10 chips for the price of one original chip. Also the advertisement got deleted not long after I purchased it.. Anyways I claimed some money back, so (already got it before the topic was created, because of chips with bent pins. Improperly packaged). But the Harman Kardon audio amp (hk bds270) was working. If it ever fails again I will repair it again, but with the real power switching IC, so property. For now it should be fine. Who knows maybe it still works after a few years. Worst case scenario, I have to replace more parts when it fails again, meh. We will see.

Have you got any advice on how to find out, I can don't bother to sacrifice more chips. Just curious now
Can't see anything stange with my lens and the chip I opened up had the legs perfectly connected.

Basically you should see a line across lead where welding happened. Expect within around 1-2 mm from the package. Usually not visible on front side. The same goes with transistors, vregs.
Would be best if you post actual photo.

Will check this tomorrow and let you know here, thanks a lot for the information.

[ESXi]

At the pub now. Guess what, remote for the fans dont work. Same remote with dip switch to the right channel works so..
Switched battery, no change. There are only a few components.

Checked the remote 433mhz i guess IC HT-12E not working. Checked AliExpress same seller selling HT-12E chenzhen global IC...

Trust is gone. I sent him a message. No bullshit. Need a working IC no fake shit, or at least compatible chip.. what a f*king shit. Vintage chips are a disaster... Air dehumidifier from 1999 remote..

[wraper]

At the pub now. Guess what, remote for the fans dont work. Same remote with dip switch to the right channel works so..
Switched battery, no change. There are only a few components.

Checked the remote 422mhz i guess IC HT-12E not working. Checked AliExpress same seller selling HT-12E chenzhen global IC...

Trust is gone. I sent him a message. No bullshit. Need a working IC no fake shit, or at least compatible chip.. what a f*king shit. Vintage chips are a disaster... Air dehumidifier from 1999 remote..

IC in remotes fails rarely. First check anything around it. Also HT12E is easily available from reputable places, you can buy it with next day delivery. The only issue that you won't get free shipping. https://octopart.com/search?q=HT12E&currency=USD&specs=0
BTW why do you want to buy it from the same shitty store again when it's available at many others?

[ESXi]

At the pub now. Guess what, remote for the fans dont work. Same remote with dip switch to the right channel works so..
Switched battery, no change. There are only a few components.

Checked the remote 422mhz i guess IC HT-12E not working. Checked AliExpress same seller selling HT-12E chenzhen global IC...

Trust is gone. I sent him a message. No bullshit. Need a working IC no fake shit, or at least compatible chip.. what a f*king shit. Vintage chips are a disaster... Air dehumidifier from 1999 remote..

IC in remotes fails rarely. First check anything around it. Also HT12E is easily available from reputable places, you can buy it with next day delivery. The only issue that you won't get free shipping. https://octopart.com/search?q=HT12E&currency=USD&specs=0
BTW why do you want to buy it from the same shitty store again when it's available at many others?

For sure. Know the remote is dead since changing the dip switches (433mhz channel) worked and battery switch (with the working remote at cetera. Since a hackrf replay attack is too expansive and complex. Maybe need to replace the chip for the hell of usability for my bar man.  Thanks for the link man. 1999 tech and genuine IC chips, not as easy as searching on mouser .

[ESXi]

Have you got any advice on how to find out, I can don't bother to sacrifice more chips. Just curious now
Can't see anything stange with my lens and the chip I opened up had the legs perfectly connected.

Basically you should see a line across lead where welding happened. Expect within around 1-2 mm from the package. Usually not visible on front side. The same goes with transistors, vregs.
Would be best if you post actual photo.

Checked the legs, the base plate which the DIE is soldered on seems to be one solid piece punched out metal I can see bends and corners but nothing seems to be spot welded or soldered. Hm, strange.

[amyk]

It wouldn't surprise me if in 6 years they switched from screen printing to laser engraving, it's normal for the same (genuine) ICs made in different fabs to look slightly different too.

[ESXi]

It wouldn't surprise me if in 6 years they switched from screen printing to laser engraving, it's normal for the same (genuine) ICs made in different fabs to look slightly different too.

Uhu. The IC inside looks genuine but I think it's a lower end part made higher. So the IC is real, no recycled chip but it might not be the TNY180PN but another cheaper part from Power Integrations. Ah well, it works. If it ever fails again I will order the real chip. No more fakes or questions or shady sellers on AliExpress for me.