Just Started and I have a transitor question...

[6APTAWEB]

I bought a pack of transitors from RadioShack...

NPN Type Switching Transistors...

There are 15 in the pack...

I also bought an IC Socket 8 Pin...

Now I dunno what to do...it doesnt seem to be the right part(s). I can't do what it says in the Building Topic.

Please help me.

Thank you,
Steven

[Barcode80]

if you bought NPN you bought correctly. there should be at least one 2n2222, 2n4401, 2n5088, and/or 2n3904. any of these will work in the circuit. the 8 pin socket is to be trimmed down to 3 pins so you can use it as a transistor socket. you bought correctly, just follow the instructions and you'll be fine.

[newfish]

For what it's worth - I now have two of these things (one is for a friend) - both with different Trannys.

First is a BC109C (2N2222 equivalent I think?) and is an absolute monster.
Second one has 2N5089 in, and is a little easier to tame.

Might go shopping for more 2N2222s...

[6APTAWEB]

I tired and it still doesnt work... I don't understand for some reason.

The IC socket I bought is this:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062604&cp=&sr=1&origkw=IC+socket&kw=ic+socket&parentPage=search

And I got a 15 Pack of transistors fillied with transistors that have one of the following printed on them:
2N4401 011
2N3904 331
MPS2222A

[Barcode80]

did you trim down the socket? make sure your transistor is oriented properly. very important. remelt every solder joint.

[6APTAWEB]

I trimmed it down...it looks nothing like the one in the Build Pictorial and I don't know how the transistor works with the IC socket after being trimmed...

[Barcode80]

well, you should cut it down to 3 pins. then you solder the socket in place as shown in the pictorial. then just slide the leads into the socket holes. kind of like plugging a lamp into the wall. you just plug them in. if it doesn't work when you put the transistor in, turn the transistor the other direction, then if it doesn't work start debugging.

[6APTAWEB]

Thats what I thought I should do but the leads from the transistor are closer together then the holes are in the socket.

[Barcode80]

pull them slightly apart, its okay

[newfish]

Hmm,

Just bought a couple of different Transistors to try - and a 6-pin socket to trim down.

Looking at the data sheets, first tranny (BC107B) has HFE (DC Gain) values of a maximum 450, second (BC549C) has a whopping 800.

Is this amount of gain likely to break anything (particularly my pre-amp valves)?

Cheers,

Ian.

[aron]

It should be ok. Unless something's already wrong with your preamp tubes.

[newfish]

Thanks once again!

BC549C is in place, and sounds *really* sweet!

I may never use my amp's overdrive channel again...

 

[aron]

Wow. I gotta check out that transistor! :-)