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Transistor Question

ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
edited 2004-06-17 08:25 in General Discussion
I have the homework board that comes with the what's a
microcontroller kit. When I hook a 2n3904 transistor to Vin and
ground and then bias the transistor I only get about 4.5 volts from
the emmitor to the collector. Shouldn't I be getting more like 8? I
used a resistor on the base with varying values between 1000 and 50k.
Didn't change the output voltage at all. I need more voltage for the
motor I'm trying to run.

Any advice would be great.

Comments

  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2004-06-14 22:14
    --- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, "billdoser2003"
    <billdoser2003@y...> wrote:
    > I have the homework board that comes with the what's a
    > microcontroller kit. When I hook a 2n3904 transistor to Vin and
    > ground and then bias the transistor I only get about 4.5 volts from
    > the emmitor to the collector. Shouldn't I be getting more like 8? I
    > used a resistor on the base with varying values between 1000 and
    50k.
    > Didn't change the output voltage at all. I need more voltage for
    the
    > motor I'm trying to run.
    >
    > Any advice would be great.

    I will assume you want to control the motor by letting the stamp
    turn the transistor on and off.

    First, make sure your connections are correct:

    + power supply voltage to one motor lead.
    other motor lead to the Collector of the transistor
    Emitter of transistor to 0 volts
    Base of transistor through 1K resitor to stamp pin.

    When stamp pin is high, transistor is on and motor runs. When
    stamp pin is low, transistor is off and motor stops.

    You can use the same connection and the PWM command to give you
    variable speed.

    Cheers,
    Tom Sisk
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2004-06-15 01:04
    --- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, "stamptrol" <sisk1404@n...> wrote:
    > --- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, "billdoser2003"
    > <billdoser2003@y...> wrote:
    > > I have the homework board that comes with the what's a
    > > microcontroller kit. When I hook a 2n3904 transistor to Vin and
    > > ground and then bias the transistor I only get about 4.5 volts
    from
    > > the emmitor to the collector. Shouldn't I be getting more like 8?
    I
    > > used a resistor on the base with varying values between 1000 and
    > 50k.
    > > Didn't change the output voltage at all. I need more voltage for
    > the
    > > motor I'm trying to run.
    > >
    > > Any advice would be great.
    >
    > I will assume you want to control the motor by letting the stamp
    > turn the transistor on and off.
    >
    > First, make sure your connections are correct:
    >
    > + power supply voltage to one motor lead.
    > other motor lead to the Collector of the transistor
    > Emitter of transistor to 0 volts
    > Base of transistor through 1K resitor to stamp pin.
    >
    > When stamp pin is high, transistor is on and motor runs. When
    > stamp pin is low, transistor is off and motor stops.
    >
    > You can use the same connection and the PWM command to give you
    > variable speed.
    >
    > Cheers,
    > Tom Sisk

    Thanks for replying Tom. I have all that correct but I'm not able to
    get the motor to turn. I put a Volt/Ohm meter from the emmiter to the
    collector and I'm only reading about 4.5 volts even though it is
    connected to the Vin which as I understand it should be the 9V from
    the battery. I'm able to power LED's and such what not but I was
    expecting a higher voltage reading. What can I do to increase it?

    Thanks again for any additional responses.

    Bill
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2004-06-17 01:43
    --- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, "billdoser2003"
    <billdoser2003@y...> wrote:
    > --- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, "stamptrol" <sisk1404@n...>
    wrote:
    > > --- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, "billdoser2003"
    > > <billdoser2003@y...> wrote:
    > > > I have the homework board that comes with the what's a
    > > > microcontroller kit. When I hook a 2n3904 transistor to Vin and
    > > > ground and then bias the transistor I only get about 4.5 volts
    > from
    > > > the emmitor to the collector. Shouldn't I be getting more like
    8?
    > I
    > > > used a resistor on the base with varying values between 1000
    and
    > > 50k.
    > > > Didn't change the output voltage at all. I need more voltage
    for
    > > the
    > > > motor I'm trying to run.
    > > >
    > > > Any advice would be great.
    > >
    > > I will assume you want to control the motor by letting the
    stamp
    > > turn the transistor on and off.
    > >
    > > First, make sure your connections are correct:
    > >
    > > + power supply voltage to one motor lead.
    > > other motor lead to the Collector of the transistor
    > > Emitter of transistor to 0 volts
    > > Base of transistor through 1K resitor to stamp pin.
    > >
    > > When stamp pin is high, transistor is on and motor runs.
    When
    > > stamp pin is low, transistor is off and motor stops.
    > >
    > > You can use the same connection and the PWM command to give
    you
    > > variable speed.
    > >
    > > Cheers,
    > > Tom Sisk
    >
    > Thanks for replying Tom. I have all that correct but I'm not able
    to
    > get the motor to turn. I put a Volt/Ohm meter from the emmiter to
    the
    > collector and I'm only reading about 4.5 volts even though it is
    > connected to the Vin which as I understand it should be the 9V from
    > the battery. I'm able to power LED's and such what not but I was
    > expecting a higher voltage reading. What can I do to increase it?
    >
    > Thanks again for any additional responses.
    >
    > Bill


    Hi again Bill,

    I just checked the specs on that transistor and its only rated
    for 0.6 amps in the ECG cross-reference book. Thats not much to be
    using with a motor of any size. If you're reading 4.5 volts C-E while
    drawing any current, you'll quickly exceed the power rating of the
    transistor, which is 0.5 watts.


    Try replacing it with an IRL520 or IRL510 which are power FETs
    made for switching service. Connect the + to the motor as before,
    second motor lead to Drain, Source to ground. Connect the Gate
    directly to the stamp pin. Better turn-off can be achieved by also
    putting 10K resistor from Gate to Source.

    Tom
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2004-06-17 02:37
    Not shameless at all !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Try those prices and shipping quantities at Digikey, Mouser, anywhere.....

    You won't do better unless you buy 8 million at a time.

    Ken

    GO RANDY!!
    ===================================

    Hi Bill,

    Would .67 each for the IRL520 and 1.85 shipping per order (including quality
    anti-static packing) be more agreeable? [noparse]:o[/noparse])

    http://www.glitchbuster.com/#xstrs

    (Warning: shameless self promotion -- this is my site.)

    -Randy
    www.glitchbuster.com





    [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2004-06-17 05:19
    > Hi again Bill,
    >
    > I just checked the specs on that transistor and its only rated
    > for 0.6 amps in the ECG cross-reference book. Thats not much to be
    > using with a motor of any size. If you're reading 4.5 volts C-E
    while
    > drawing any current, you'll quickly exceed the power rating of the
    > transistor, which is 0.5 watts.
    >
    >
    > Try replacing it with an IRL520 or IRL510 which are power FETs
    > made for switching service. Connect the + to the motor as before,
    > second motor lead to Drain, Source to ground. Connect the Gate
    > directly to the stamp pin. Better turn-off can be achieved by also
    > putting 10K resistor from Gate to Source.
    >
    > Tom

    Thanks for the help again tom. I looked up that part on Jameco. looks
    like it will do the trick. Got any Idea of a part that I can pick up
    at my local radio shack that will do the trick? Don't want to pay
    $5.00 for delivery of a $.69 part.

    Thanks gain.... or again I should say
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2004-06-17 05:56
    Hi Bill,

    Would .67 each for the IRL520 and 1.85 shipping per order (including quality
    anti-static packing) be more agreeable? [noparse]:o[/noparse])

    http://www.glitchbuster.com/#xstrs

    (Warning: shameless self promotion -- this is my site.)

    -Randy
    www.glitchbuster.com



    Original Message
    From: "billdoser2003" <billdoser2003@y...>
    To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2004 9:19 PM
    Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: Transistor Question


    > > Hi again Bill,
    > >
    > > I just checked the specs on that transistor and its only rated
    > > for 0.6 amps in the ECG cross-reference book. Thats not much to be
    > > using with a motor of any size. If you're reading 4.5 volts C-E
    > while
    > > drawing any current, you'll quickly exceed the power rating of the
    > > transistor, which is 0.5 watts.
    > >
    > >
    > > Try replacing it with an IRL520 or IRL510 which are power FETs
    > > made for switching service. Connect the + to the motor as before,
    > > second motor lead to Drain, Source to ground. Connect the Gate
    > > directly to the stamp pin. Better turn-off can be achieved by also
    > > putting 10K resistor from Gate to Source.
    > >
    > > Tom
    >
    > Thanks for the help again tom. I looked up that part on Jameco. looks
    > like it will do the trick. Got any Idea of a part that I can pick up
    > at my local radio shack that will do the trick? Don't want to pay
    > $5.00 for delivery of a $.69 part.
    >
    > Thanks gain.... or again I should say
    >
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
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    > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
    Body of the message will be ignored.
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    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2004-06-17 08:25
    Thanks Ken!

    -Randy
    www.glitchbuster.com




    > Not shameless at all !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    >
    > Try those prices and shipping quantities at Digikey, Mouser,
    anywhere.....
    >
    > You won't do better unless you buy 8 million at a time.
    >
    > Ken
    >
    > GO RANDY!!
    > ===================================
    >
    > Hi Bill,
    >
    > Would .67 each for the IRL520 and 1.85 shipping per order (including
    quality
    > anti-static packing) be more agreeable? [noparse]:o[/noparse])
    >
    > http://www.glitchbuster.com/#xstrs
    >
    > (Warning: shameless self promotion -- this is my site.)
    >
    > -Randy
    > www.glitchbuster.com
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