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how do i know what this is? — Parallax Forums

how do i know what this is?

roughwireroughwire Posts: 78
edited 2007-11-13 20:11 in General Discussion
I'm working on this project, and one thing i need is just a simple 5VDC regulator (common, and only about $1.50 @ radio shizzack...). But the main idea of this project is just to use things around the house. now i found this regulator (or what looks like the right regulator), but how do i know if it's a 5v regulator? the only writing on it is: (on black base thingy) "729-3263", some weird 'T', and "MH4". Now on the metal piece, there is a vertical·impression "4s". now can a person figure out by those #'s and letters, or is that just a part #? Thank You for wasting your precious time answering such a n00by question...

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MIKE

Comments

  • D FaustD Faust Posts: 608
    edited 2007-11-13 03:55
    Have you tried searching (googling) the part number?· The "T" is probaby a company logo/symbol.

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    --DFaust
  • roughwireroughwire Posts: 78
    edited 2007-11-13 04:02
    yea,
    nothin... Yea, the 'T' is probably a logo. It looks just like a capital "T", except the top bar is wavy instead of a strait line... I'll kepp looking, but i was also wondering, could i somehow use a multimeter to figure it out or somthing?

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    MIKE
  • D FaustD Faust Posts: 608
    edited 2007-11-13 04:07
    You could try hooking it up like a regulator and see what happens. ??

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    --DFaust
  • Harrison.Harrison. Posts: 484
    edited 2007-11-13 04:21
    Where did you get it? There are tons of devices that come in a TO-220 case. It could be a transistor, scr, triac, regulator, etc.

    Also spend some time searching on Google. It isn't like the old days where you had to use huge datasheet books. Now Google searches will give you more information on a particular device than you ever wanted to know. Some weird parts may require some tweaking of the part number, but generally you will get what you want.

    I would also recommend octopart.com/ for heavy online part searches. It works pretty good and is a good way to keep parts lists and get datasheets quickly.
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2007-11-13 17:23
    If you Google 729-3263 electronic, you'll get several hits from surplus component marketeers, hinting that it's some sort of military part. You could call one of them to find out what it is — assuming they know.

    -Phil
  • steve_bsteve_b Posts: 1,563
    edited 2007-11-13 20:11
    I worked with a fella that found, what he took to be, a switch/sensor.
    He connected 12Volts to it and it literally exploded in his hand and made a bad mess of it. Turns out...what he had found was an emergency cable cut device. You put this next to your line (cable or rope) and you charge it to blow the line apart to release the load. (I think this was a coast guard device....not sure)

    Anyhow, I don't connect anything without a datasheet these days!
    (not saying you have something that is hazardous to your health, but if you connect up in an "unhappy" way, you may never get to use it again for it's real intent)

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    <FONT>Steve



    What's the best thing to do in a lightning storm? "take a one iron out the bag and hold it straight up above your head, even God cant hit a one iron!"
    Lee Travino after the second time being hit by lightning!
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