Shop OBEX P1 Docs P2 Docs Learn Events
Silicon Steroids NV Article — Parallax Forums

Silicon Steroids NV Article

ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
edited 2004-03-31 13:53 in General Discussion
Hello Group,

I recently picked up the Basic Stamp kit at Radio Shack and have
been enjoying microcontrollers and all the possibilities ever since.

An article in a 95 NV issue has really got me dreaming up lots of
different applications that I can apply these stamps to. Although I
am still fairly new to microcontrollers and electronics, I seem to
be picking it up pretty quick. The code has been the easiest part,
it's the electronics that I am having some troubles with and so I do
have a few questions on transistors I was hoping someone might be
able to help me out.

I have a project where I want to close the contact switch (a simple
push button) on my garage door opener with a basic stamp. Instead of
pressing the button on the garage door opener, I would like the
stamp to do it using a transistor as the switch. I was thinking of
using a 2N2222.

In figure 1 of the article:

http://www.parallax.com/dl/docs/cols/nv/vol1/col/5.pdf

The base current of a 2N2222 is 11mA, the load current is 100mA and
RB of 390 ohms. I was hoping someone could explain the formula used
to calculate the value of the resistance for those values. The
reason being is that I downloaded the data sheet on a 2N2222A (ON
Semicondictor) from digi key and they are showing it has a maximum
collector current of 600mA. I would like a load current of 200 - 250
mA which I am sure will drive my base current up to close to 20+ mA.
What I am trying to avoid is exceeding the output current
limitations of my stamp pin doing the switching.

Also, maybe someone could help me out with the data sheet on the
2N2222 I am reading. There are lots of values on it and I am not
sure what they all mean yet. Could you tell me which one represents
the C-E voltage drop? I am guessing it is the Collector-Emitter
Saturation Voltage but that's only a guess. It is showing .3 for (Ic
= 150 mAdc, Ib = 150 mAdc) which is less then the .5 as listed in
the article for 100 mA which leads me to believe I might not be
looking at the right specs.

Thanks again for any help you can offer.

Lu Kwan

Comments

  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2004-02-21 15:55
    Lu Kwan,

    There is a pretty good site that explains transistor performance that even
    uses the 2n2222A as an example. It is :
    http://pub40.ezboard.com/fbasicelectronicsfrm5.showMessage?topicID=3.topic

    Remember the current on the base will be limited by what the Stamp can
    deliver. and explains the 390 ohm value used on the base in your example. thet
    could
    be a bit lower- - as low as 250 ohms to source 20 mA or 200 ohms to sink 25
    mA. No margins there, though, and remember that the total current trough all
    the Stamp pins should be less that 50 mA.

    The amount of current you can switch will depend on the base current times
    hFE, which should be on your datasheet.

    Larry

    In a message dated 2/21/04 5:36:23 AM Pacific Standard Time,
    basicstamps@yahoogroups.com writes:
    Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 04:38:17 -0000
    From: "lvscan" <kamikazi@r...>
    Subject: Silicon Steroids NV Article

    Hello Group,

    I recently picked up the Basic Stamp kit at Radio Shack and have
    been enjoying microcontrollers and all the possibilities ever since.

    An article in a 95 NV issue has really got me dreaming up lots of
    different applications that I can apply these stamps to. Although I
    am still fairly new to microcontrollers and electronics, I seem to
    be picking it up pretty quick. The code has been the easiest part,
    it's the electronics that I am having some troubles with and so I do
    have a few questions on transistors I was hoping someone might be
    able to help me out.

    I have a project where I want to close the contact switch (a simple
    push button) on my garage door opener with a basic stamp. Instead of
    pressing the button on the garage door opener, I would like the
    stamp to do it using a transistor as the switch. I was thinking of
    using a 2N2222.

    In figure 1 of the article:

    http://www.parallax.com/dl/docs/cols/nv/vol1/col/5.pdf

    The base current of a 2N2222 is 11mA, the load current is 100mA and
    RB of 390 ohms. I was hoping someone could explain the formula used
    to calculate the value of the resistance for those values. The
    reason being is that I downloaded the data sheet on a 2N2222A (ON
    Semicondictor) from digi key and they are showing it has a maximum
    collector current of 600mA. I would like a load current of 200 - 250
    mA which I am sure will drive my base current up to close to 20+ mA.
    What I am trying to avoid is exceeding the output current
    limitations of my stamp pin doing the switching.

    Also, maybe someone could help me out with the data sheet on the
    2N2222 I am reading. There are lots of values on it and I am not
    sure what they all mean yet. Could you tell me which one represents
    the C-E voltage drop? I am guessing it is the Collector-Emitter
    Saturation Voltage but that's only a guess. It is showing .3 for (Ic
    = 150 mAdc, Ib = 150 mAdc) which is less then the .5 as listed in
    the article for 100 mA which leads me to believe I might not be
    looking at the right specs.

    Thanks again for any help you can offer.

    Lu Kwan


    [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2004-03-31 05:30
    I don't have a data sheet to the 2n2222a but, take another look. The d

    lvscan <kamikazi@r...> wrote:Hello Group,

    I recently picked up the Basic Stamp kit at Radio Shack and have
    been enjoying microcontrollers and all the possibilities ever since.

    An article in a 95 NV issue has really got me dreaming up lots of
    different applications that I can apply these stamps to. Although I
    am still fairly new to microcontrollers and electronics, I seem to
    be picking it up pretty quick. The code has been the easiest part,
    it's the electronics that I am having some troubles with and so I do
    have a few questions on transistors I was hoping someone might be
    able to help me out.

    I have a project where I want to close the contact switch (a simple
    push button) on my garage door opener with a basic stamp. Instead of
    pressing the button on the garage door opener, I would like the
    stamp to do it using a transistor as the switch. I was thinking of
    using a 2N2222. The .3 volts C to E drop @ 150mA collector current sounds
    reasonable. I would expect the current gain or ratio of collector current to
    base current to be much higher. I looked at the link below and it shows 15 mA
    base current for 150 mA collector current. That makes the gain 10. I'm pretty
    sure 200 mA base current would be a defective part. I hope the link works. Good
    luck.
    www.semiconductors.philips.com/acrobat/ datasheets/PN2222A_3.pdf
    In figure 1 of the article:

    http://www.parallax.com/dl/docs/cols/nv/vol1/col/5.pdf

    The base current of a 2N2222 is 11mA, the load current is 100mA and
    RB of 390 ohms. I was hoping someone could explain the formula used
    to calculate the value of the resistance for those values. The
    reason being is that I downloaded the data sheet on a 2N2222A (ON
    Semicondictor) from digi key and they are showing it has a maximum
    collector current of 600mA. I would like a load current of 200 - 250
    mA which I am sure will drive my base current up to close to 20+ mA.
    What I am trying to avoid is exceeding the output current
    limitations of my stamp pin doing the switching.

    Also, maybe someone could help me out with the data sheet on the
    2N2222 I am reading. There are lots of values on it and I am not
    sure what they all mean yet. Could you tell me which one represents
    the C-E voltage drop? I am guessing it is the Collector-Emitter
    Saturation Voltage but that's only a guess. It is showing .3 for (Ic
    = 150 mAdc, Ib = 150 mAdc) which is less then the .5 as listed in
    the article for 100 mA which leads me to believe I might not be
    looking at the right specs.

    Thanks again for any help you can offer.

    Lu Kwan



    To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and Body of
    the message will be ignored.

    Yahoo! Groups Links







    Do you Yahoo!?
    Yahoo! Finance Tax Center - File online. File on time.

    [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2004-03-31 06:55
    Hello Phil,

    I did not get your complete reply... Not sure what you were getting
    at.

    Thanks for any help you can offer since I have not been able to
    tackle this problem yet.

    Lu Kwan

    --- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, PHILIP GAMBLIN
    <gremlin8650@y...> wrote:
    > I don't have a data sheet to the 2n2222a but, take another look.
    The d
    >
    > lvscan <kamikazi@r...> wrote:Hello Group,
    >
    > I recently picked up the Basic Stamp kit at Radio Shack and have
    > been enjoying microcontrollers and all the possibilities ever
    since.
    >
    > An article in a 95 NV issue has really got me dreaming up lots of
    > different applications that I can apply these stamps to. Although
    I
    > am still fairly new to microcontrollers and electronics, I seem to
    > be picking it up pretty quick. The code has been the easiest part,
    > it's the electronics that I am having some troubles with and so I
    do
    > have a few questions on transistors I was hoping someone might be
    > able to help me out.
    >
    > I have a project where I want to close the contact switch (a
    simple
    > push button) on my garage door opener with a basic stamp. Instead
    of
    > pressing the button on the garage door opener, I would like the
    > stamp to do it using a transistor as the switch. I was thinking of
    > using a 2N2222. The .3 volts C to E drop @ 150mA collector current
    sounds reasonable. I would expect the current gain or ratio of
    collector current to base current to be much higher. I looked at the
    link below and it shows 15 mA base current for 150 mA collector
    current. That makes the gain 10. I'm pretty sure 200 mA base current
    would be a defective part. I hope the link works. Good luck.
    > www.semiconductors.philips.com/acrobat/ datasheets/PN2222A_3.pdf
    > In figure 1 of the article:
    >
    > http://www.parallax.com/dl/docs/cols/nv/vol1/col/5.pdf
    >
    > The base current of a 2N2222 is 11mA, the load current is 100mA
    and
    > RB of 390 ohms. I was hoping someone could explain the formula
    used
    > to calculate the value of the resistance for those values. The
    > reason being is that I downloaded the data sheet on a 2N2222A (ON
    > Semicondictor) from digi key and they are showing it has a maximum
    > collector current of 600mA. I would like a load current of 200 -
    250
    > mA which I am sure will drive my base current up to close to 20+
    mA.
    > What I am trying to avoid is exceeding the output current
    > limitations of my stamp pin doing the switching.
    >
    > Also, maybe someone could help me out with the data sheet on the
    > 2N2222 I am reading. There are lots of values on it and I am not
    > sure what they all mean yet. Could you tell me which one
    represents
    > the C-E voltage drop? I am guessing it is the Collector-Emitter
    > Saturation Voltage but that's only a guess. It is showing .3 for
    (Ic
    > = 150 mAdc, Ib = 150 mAdc) which is less then the .5 as listed in
    > the article for 100 mA which leads me to believe I might not be
    > looking at the right specs.
    >
    > Thanks again for any help you can offer.
    >
    > Lu Kwan
    >
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the
    Subject and Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    > Yahoo! Groups Links
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > Do you Yahoo!?
    > Yahoo! Finance Tax Center - File online. File on time.
    >
    > [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2004-03-31 13:53
    You should consider using a reed relay for this sort of "hacking". They have
    zero voltage drop, don't care about open circuit voltage up to their rated
    voltage, and polarity is a non-issue. Just don't try to push a lot of
    current through them. You can buy them for less than a buck, and some can be
    directly driven by the Stamp's output without a buffer. If you want to drive
    one directly from a Stamp, make sure the coil is rated to be driven by TTL
    circuits directly and has a protection diode.

    Mike Sokol
    mike@f...
    www.fitsandstarts.com

    " One should not increase, beyond what is necessary,
    the number of entities required to explain anything"...
    -William of Occam-

    Original Message
    From: "PHILIP GAMBLIN" <gremlin8650@y...>
    To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2004 11:30 PM
    Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Silicon Steroids NV Article


    > I don't have a data sheet to the 2n2222a but, take another look. The d
    >
    > lvscan <kamikazi@r...> wrote:Hello Group,
    >
    > I recently picked up the Basic Stamp kit at Radio Shack and have
    > been enjoying microcontrollers and all the possibilities ever since.
    >
    > An article in a 95 NV issue has really got me dreaming up lots of
    > different applications that I can apply these stamps to. Although I
    > am still fairly new to microcontrollers and electronics, I seem to
    > be picking it up pretty quick. The code has been the easiest part,
    > it's the electronics that I am having some troubles with and so I do
    > have a few questions on transistors I was hoping someone might be
    > able to help me out.
    >
    > I have a project where I want to close the contact switch (a simple
    > push button) on my garage door opener with a basic stamp. Instead of
    > pressing the button on the garage door opener, I would like the
    > stamp to do it using a transistor as the switch. I was thinking of
    > using a 2N2222. The .3 volts C to E drop @ 150mA collector current sounds
    reasonable. I would expect the current gain or ratio of collector current
    to base current to be much higher. I looked at the link below and it shows
    15 mA base current for 150 mA collector current. That makes the gain 10.
    I'm pretty sure 200 mA base current would be a defective part. I hope the
    link works. Good luck.
    > www.semiconductors.philips.com/acrobat/ datasheets/PN2222A_3.pdf
    > In figure 1 of the article:
    >
    > http://www.parallax.com/dl/docs/cols/nv/vol1/col/5.pdf
    >
    > The base current of a 2N2222 is 11mA, the load current is 100mA and
    > RB of 390 ohms. I was hoping someone could explain the formula used
    > to calculate the value of the resistance for those values. The
    > reason being is that I downloaded the data sheet on a 2N2222A (ON
    > Semicondictor) from digi key and they are showing it has a maximum
    > collector current of 600mA. I would like a load current of 200 - 250
    > mA which I am sure will drive my base current up to close to 20+ mA.
    > What I am trying to avoid is exceeding the output current
    > limitations of my stamp pin doing the switching.
    >
    > Also, maybe someone could help me out with the data sheet on the
    > 2N2222 I am reading. There are lots of values on it and I am not
    > sure what they all mean yet. Could you tell me which one represents
    > the C-E voltage drop? I am guessing it is the Collector-Emitter
    > Saturation Voltage but that's only a guess. It is showing .3 for (Ic
    > = 150 mAdc, Ib = 150 mAdc) which is less then the .5 as listed in
    > the article for 100 mA which leads me to believe I might not be
    > looking at the right specs.
    >
    > Thanks again for any help you can offer.
    >
    > Lu Kwan
    >
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
    Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    > Yahoo! Groups Links
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > Do you Yahoo!?
    > Yahoo! Finance Tax Center - File online. File on time.
    >
    > [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
    >
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
    Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    > Yahoo! Groups Links
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
Sign In or Register to comment.