What is your Favorite Component or Project? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: PhynixViking
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2012, 06:41:00 pm
content: SO! What is your favorite component(s)?I meanexact models(don't say "Regulators" say "LM317" or w/e.)I want to order in some new parts and maybe play with some new parts.Maybe even if you have a favorite schematic, etc...I KNOW this is a very vague question, lol... Mostly I'm looking for some "must have" parts that I may not have. Also its a "for fun" question... I see a lot of "how do I" and a lot of "help me fix this" things and I wonder if people forget to have fun with things? Anyway! Please share! Looking forward to hearing everyone's opinions and such! ^__^I think I'll go first and say:The 555 timer, has just so many uses as well as I've been loving LM317's and how they can be used as a pre-set voltage regulator or a variable voltage regulator or even used to regulate amps.NOTE: Wasn't sure if this should be under beginners or projects. I felts since it was a question about "projects" more then a "how do I do this" that it should be under projects.

author: svofski
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2012, 07:10:42 pm
content: ATmega8* would be my long time favourite chip. I also like LM358 opamp. It would be unfair not to mention a 10K resistor and a 0.1µF capacitor.On the opposite side of my "like" range would be the 555 together with parallel interface LCD modules. These dinosaurs must be in the museums and never on my workbench.

author: McMonster
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2012, 07:21:42 pm
content: My recent find is LM723. I was searching for a reasonably stable and cheap power supply circuit and this was an excellent chip. Can work in linear or switching configuration, independently or with external NPN/PNP pass transistors, can be used to make high voltage or high current supply and is reportedly rock stable over time and temperature (includes on-chip temp. compensated reference).ATmega48 or higher ends up in most of designs requiring a bit a larger number of I/O pins, mostly because of convenient pin change interrupts on every I/O and three timers with two PWM channels each, including one 16-bit.74595, because you can never have enough output pins to drive LEDs and anything else in large quantities.

author: vk3yedotcom
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2012, 07:25:01 pm
content: Would have to be a 7.2 MHz ceramic resonator due to its versatility in a range of transmitter and receiver projects.As for a favourite project, my answer to that would be the latest one that's been developed, especially if it's also been liked and built by many others.Right now for me it's the simple 7 MHz radio transceiver athttp://home.alphalink.com.au/~parkerp/projects/projbeach40.htm

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2012, 07:43:31 pm
content: STM32 processors (cortex). altera Fpga's, LF33 LK33 regulators.

author: Baliszoft
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2012, 08:38:05 pm
content: (RGB) LEDs, GLCD Displays (any kind, too many part# to mention)

author: blackdog
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2012, 09:03:14 pm
content: Hi,This is my list, all exceptional...LM399LT1021LTZ1000AAD811NE5534AD797LT1028LT1088MAT12EL20091N829aRegarts,Blackdog

author: w2aew
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2012, 09:07:35 pm
content: Quote from: blackdog on December 26, 2012, 09:03:14 pmGood list. I'd also add the LM10, great little part that includes an opamp, reference and reference amplifier, very wide supply range.

author: blackdog
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2012, 09:50:32 pm
content: w2aewYes! i forgot that one.Use it as a small oven controler.Regarts,Blackdog

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2012, 10:08:09 pm
content: My favorite components are the ones I can make myself:

author: RCMR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2012, 10:21:33 pm
content: 6SN7, 6GT6, 807, OA95, OC71Why?Because these were the components that got me into this field *way* back when I was just a kid (and dinosaurs roamed the earth).From a more contemporary perspective:PIC16F688 -- because you can do so much with so little and working out the peripheral configuration bit settings keeps an old mind young.ARM M series - because you can do so much with so little -- so much more quickly

author: IanJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 27, 2012, 10:32:38 am
content: Hi,My fave component - ZVN3306A Fet. Must have used that in hundreds of designs over the years starting in the 80's.My fave project - Late 80's I designed & built a home made combined eprom programmer (2716 & 27128) & serial to parallel interface based around a couple of 6402 UARTs. It was used with my ZX Spectrum and was c/w zif sockets etc. I sold it in the late 90's but would have it back in a minute! I found the buyer a couple years ago but he couldn't find it........Ian.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2012, 10:53:40 am
content: Quote from: PhynixViking on December 26, 2012, 06:41:00 pmI really like high power digital optoisolators. There are quite a few available (maybe even some cheaper/better) but ones i keep on hand are theHCPL-3120 and HCPL-3140Standard LED input like a normal optoisolator but..HCPL-3140- Up to 400mA push/pull drive output- 10-30V VCC (Good for 12V systems)HCPL-3120- 2.5A push/pull driver (put a mcu output on the led input and you have some kickass output voltage at high currentand its isolated)- 15-30V VCC (so you can get 2.5A @ 30V !!)

author: peter.mitchell
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2012, 02:27:03 pm
content: MP2307, it does sub 1V outputMAX232 - you need them, a lot

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2012, 04:21:00 pm
content: 2n7002. Irlml6402. Zhcs750 mmbd4148. Lm393 op27.

author: andyturk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2012, 04:33:24 pm
content: Quote from: free_electron on December 26, 2012, 07:43:31 pmHave you gotten hands on an F3 yet?

author: ptricks
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2012, 01:51:57 pm
content: LM2576Such a simple switching part, 1 inductor and 1 diode all that are required.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2012, 04:37:08 pm
content: Now days, nothing special, but when it comes to old days back in late 70s and 80s, this venerable IC was very popular among hobbyist.Here, a fresh shot taken out from my precious ICs storage box to honor this legendary chip.

author: w2aew
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2012, 08:22:33 pm
content: Quote from: BravoV on December 28, 2012, 04:37:08 pmHah - I have several of those too - fun chips to play with to get that "retro" video game machine sound. Of course, when I first played with these, they were new, not retro!

author: muvideo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2012, 09:33:58 am
content: Quote from: blackdog on December 26, 2012, 09:03:14 pmI think that qualifies as voltage-nutteryTo the OP:(lots of)BC547BC557when you dont want to find ways to avoidsaturation (not the forum member) :2N7002When you want to use an IC:TL431After years of playing with ICs and uC (by the way my workhorses are ATmega88 and STM32F103)in the last times I find myself often playing with discrete designs for fun, there are so many thingsto do with and to learn about that seemingly simple 3 legged componentsFabio.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2012, 03:53:47 pm
content: Quote from: BravoV on December 28, 2012, 04:37:08 pmblep - beerlebiep - kgggrrght...Anyone remeber the SPO256 ?

author: PhynixViking
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2012, 08:02:58 pm
content: UGH! Sorry for the late reply. I always like replying to posts I make but I've been sick the last few days.I'm glad I brought up a topic that everyone likes so much! ^__^svofski- I'm seeing a lot of people loving those ATmega stuff... LM358 is pretty cool chip. Of all the millions of values, why the 10K Resistor and 0.1uF cap?And WHAT?! You don't like the 555? AH! Fine... I guess your entitled to your opinion... even if its wrong... (LOL just joking!)McMonster- LM723 comes up with 2 different... very different... packages. O.o''I gotta get me some of these ATmega's... lolAnd I'm pretty sure everyone can agree anything that has to do with LED's are "never enough" LOLI'm currently working on a project that will be a UV Eprom eraser using UV LED's.vk3yedotcom- Fun stuff! Thanks for the link. Looks like they are a little harder to find though.free_electron- I did a search for the STM32 and it came up with a kinda LAN "Dev board" not sure if that's what you meant. I'll have to do some more looking around.Baliszoft- (Said this to someone else here)And I'm pretty sure everyone can agree anything that has to do with LED's are "never enough" LOLI'm currently working on a project that will be a UV Eprom eraser using UV LED's.I remember few years back... ok more then a few... w/e! Umm... I was in LOVE with the Red/Green/Yellow LED's. And once in a while I'd find a orange one and be like "OMG ITS ORANGE!" then they came out with white and blue (around the same time I found out about them) and I was like WOAH!!! And had to get one... they seemed to price around $10 and up each, and I was younger at the time and that was a fair bit amount of money for me, lol. I finally ended up getting a blue one and I remember I played with it so much (didn't even use it in a circuit) that I blew the darn thing out! (No, didn't over volt it! lol) So many flashing and leaving it on all the time (with one of those 3v Lithium "Quarter" batteries.)blackdog- Nice list! Any particular reasons for each of those? (Like "this one handles more amps then part blablabla.. lol) Just curious. ^_^nctnico- I've mentioned in my posts a few times but my grandfather use to (now he's retired) work as VP for a HUGE capacitor company. Once I went over there and saw how they were made and such... very complex but also simple... SO! I ended up making my own. Was kinda big for its size but I got a stable measurement out of it and it was just insanely fun knowing I essentially took "scrap stuff" and office supplies and made a capacitor! I'm planning on one day making something... fairly simple... out of completely home-made parts!PS: Your picture won't "click" do you have a link for it? And what is it? ^__^RCMR- I'm more well... "longer" into computers. And people look at me funny when I get excited about seeing a AMD K6-2 (a or b) as if its something so amazing. But that was my first "real" computer (I come from a kinda lower-middle class family so buying anything new or "good" was out of the question, LOL) so this was a custom built from other broken computers 233 MHz... with 128 MB of ram!!! YEEAAAA LIKE A BAT OUT OF HELL!!!! lol Later I upgraded to 386 MB ram and even more fun... Now a days I have so many computers I've been scrapping them for the capacitors! LOL But.. yea its those "first step" items you always come back to isn't it?IanJ- I've been thinking of building my own. I just recently got into eproms. I'm making a LED UV eprom eraser and I have a TON of "27xxx" (if I'm labeling that correctly) eproms. I've had so many say that the new USB ones don't work well.Psi- I'm a little a shamed to say this but I didn't know what a "opto isolators" was... Had to look it up... and... Um... yes... I am going to be ordering like 2602640287685327643087468376487 of them... and they will all be mine!!! And be my babies!!! And I will name them... they will all be named fluffy... and together we will take over the world!!! MUHAHAHAHHAHAA ... *moment* Yea, those seem pretty kick-a**!!! I will for sure be getting tons of them and playing around lol.peter.mitchell- MP2307"Input Voltage VIN............................ 4.75V to 23VOutput Voltage VOUT .................... 0.925V to 20V"Sexy...I've been thinking of making a new (more complex) bench power supply. I think I found my regulator for it!MAX232 - Hm.. expensive.. lolptricks- Indeed! Thanks for posting the schematic!BravoV- It was funny... the only datasheet I could find on it was a long like 10 page thing mostly "advertising" it then saying its specs. But with in the first few lines it said "The New 76477 by Texas Instruments is a state of the arts" and you know continued in that fashion. Then I saw the date, labeled 1977 and yea... made me laugh. But working with computers I can see the appreciation for things being "so amazing" back in their time/day. I'm going to have to try and find one of these to play with. ^__^muvideo- Fun fun! Hmmm another ATmega! I couldn't find the datasheet for the STM32F103, but assuming its similar to the ATmega which would you say is better?-EVERYONE:Again, thanks for the comments and item numbers! Now I have some shopping to do! LOL(oh and feel free to post more! lol)

author: adept
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2012, 08:22:39 pm
content: Hm... As a person who teaches electronics, I love the easily obtainable, easy to use NE555, LM339, LM324, LM78**, and the 7800 series. The kids love them!

author: Gall
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2012, 08:33:00 pm
content: STM32F103 is a low-cost 32-bit ARM processor. It is much more powerful than ATmega but a little bit harder to use.

author: Gall
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2012, 08:51:56 pm
content: My personal favorite is still...I used lots of these MP39, MP41A, MP25 germanium transistors in my first projects. MP39 has hFE>12 and MP41A had "very large" hFE of more than 100.

author: david77
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2012, 09:18:48 pm
content: I love the good old BC107's. They were the most used transistors in my youth and I've got a nice collection of vintage ones.The NE5534 is still one of the best low cost OP's for audio applications and I use them by the bucket load.The 723 is indeed a versatile regulator - still does its job well.The ICL7106/7 and the 7135 are also cool old chips that can still be usefull.The 2N3055 hasn't been mentioned yet. Still kind of a goto transistor if high power is needed.A hot tube is the EL156. A really nice look & lots of power - unfortunately I only have two, not enough for a proper push-pull amp. Pulls two amps only for heating! What a waste74xx logic - nice to play with when a micro is not what I want to use.

author: AndyC_772
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2012, 09:24:14 pm
content: There aren't many parts that I seem to find myself using regularly, though these deserve a special mention for being the ones I don't like to run out of:2N7000PIC18F26K22There's a lot you can do with just those two parts and a handful of passives. I keep the entire E24 range of resistors in stock, plus a good lab kit of capacitors and LEDs. I ought to keep more connectors and switches than I do, but it's hard to know which types I'm likely to need.The 18F26K22 is a part which has come up when I've searched for a suitable device to use on several different, unrelated projects. It has a wide range of peripherals, comes in a DIL package that's easy to prototype with (and also surface mount versions suitable for production), and runs off either 3.3V or 5V.If I have a favourite op-amp it's probably the LMV358... cheap and cheerful, rail-to-rail output, seems free of vices, and runs happily from 5V. (It's much, much better than the the hateful, cheap & nasty LM358 and its cousin the LM324).I keep a PIC dev board on the shelf, along with an Altera Cyclone II board. Having an FPGA instantly available means I don't ever need to keep other logic ICs on the shelf for prototyping purposes - I can have a functional equivalent of any logic I need just by writing a few lines of VHDL.

author: ee851
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2012, 09:31:45 pm
content: My favorite component is the resistor.It only has two leads. If you swap the leads, no big deal-it still works. If you put too much power through it, you can smell it burn. And I can test its value easily with a multimeter.

author: krivx
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2012, 11:27:22 pm
content: Quote from: Gall on December 29, 2012, 08:51:56 pmThese are still in use by hobbyists building guitar effects. They make great replacements for the low hfe germanium transistors used in old fuzzboxes.

author: notsob
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2012, 11:33:29 pm
content: My favourite component is the$you can do so many wonderful things with it

author: PA4TIM
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2012, 12:13:36 am
content: First: Capacitors. They are magical, they have so many "hidden" features.Second: inductorsThird: opamps

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2012, 01:03:39 am
content: Quote from: PA4TIM on December 30, 2012, 12:13:36 am"It's not a bug, it's a feature, I swear!"

author: darrenb
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2012, 02:52:23 am
content: I'll throw one in: INA226It's a high or low side bi-directional current and voltage monitor.

author: peter.mitchell
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2012, 03:42:55 am
content: I noticed someone posted the tl431 before, I think it deserves more recognition, TL431 FOR PRESIDENT!

author: PA4TIM
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2012, 08:39:56 am
content: Emperor: LTZ1000 ( if I can get one afforable I build a reference with it)King: LM399 ( made my best reference with that)Prince : TL431 ( i use them a lot, i once got a reel with the smd version from a HAM club member, so I have a lifetime supply. Most times I use four in parallel. They are pretty good)

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2012, 10:17:57 am
content: I did buy a lifetime supply of 12V and 24V 0.4W zeners, a box of each. I use them as GP diodes in many cases.

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2012, 05:38:31 pm
content: ECC81 and OC71 as they are the first things I used as a kid but my favorite component and perhaps the reason I like electronics is Solder. I just love soldering.

author: Teemo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2012, 09:50:16 pm
content: This is my favorite at the moment.

author: TiN
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2013, 09:09:36 am
content: FB180SA10P mosfet

author: Things
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2013, 09:29:59 am
content: LM317! Bugger is so damn versatile and handy to have on hand, can rig up a CV or CC power source in a minute!ATMegas are also high up there on my list, mainly thanks to Arduino and how it's made them so much more noob friendly to use. Have based many projects around them.

author: blackdog
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2013, 11:40:15 am
content: Hi,Some explanation about the electronic parts i like...Diode reference1N829a, Old reference diode, but stil good.Reference chipsLM399, old but also stil verry good.LT1021, in the metal can package unbelievable good, verry low drift over time.LTZ1000A, The best Reference!AudioNE5534, (TDA1034) (NE5532), Old audio chips, and stil hard to beat @ its price.Audio, InstumentationAD797, Low Noise, Low drift, Low distortionLT1028, Low Noise, Low drift, Low distortionVideoAD811, First chip i used for Video buffer, 1 in, 5 out 75 Ohm buffer.Wide band Current Feedback amp, also good als Buffer for Audio chips.RMSLT1088, Gone... :-( just like its maker Jim Williams, Termal RMS in chip package,50Mhz, 1%, 50:1 Crest Factor, 20:1 Dynamic range.Almost perfect transistorMAT12, LM394, Dual transistors, high gain, low distortion, Lowwww Noise.BufferEL2009, Old, speeding fast 1A Buffer, it can drive 15, 75 Ohm cable for video, almost 25 years old!

author: StubbornGreek
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2013, 06:10:35 pm
content: This is a great thread. Since most 'good stuff' has had mention already, I'll chime in with a simple passive and say I like the Schottky Diode (grading on usefulness).

author: mark-r
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2013, 08:15:26 pm
content: Quote from: free_electron on December 29, 2012, 03:53:47 pmLike this one?

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2013, 04:50:13 am
content: I have an old TI educational toy around, wonder if it uses one? Will open it some day and see......

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 04, 2013, 09:41:06 am
content: my favorite component is the led, because leds will be the future of lighting

author: poorchava
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2013, 11:05:36 am
content: Most important ever: 2.54mm headerMCP1515 and MCP1541 voltage references. Good accuracy and stability for reasonable priceLMH6505 - saved my butt when i was building my DDS generator. Very nice chip in connection with 12-bit DAC.TL084, OP07 - just my everyday usage opamp when i have dual supply availableLMP90100 - marvelous chip. Used it two times so far and loved it. Saves so much PCB space and fiddling with software...TB6560AHQ - there would be no low cost CNC drivers without that onedsPIC33s - gotta love the peripheral pin selectorLM3407MY - nice buck driver for 1W LED's. A bit expensive thoughTC7660 - easiest bipolar supply for opamps everFT232RLSI4447ADY - gotta love 40V, 40 mOhm, 7A capable P-MOS in SO-8 package. For inder $1 in singles.LPC1111 - 50MHz ARM microcontroller for less than $2 in small quantity, probably under $1 in volume. This cannot be beatenW5100 - that's the point where TCP/IP networking cannot get easier. MAC+PHY+hardware TCP/IP stack for $6 in singles is the bossAlso: 2N2222, BC847/547, BC 857/557, IRFZ44, 1N4148, 1N400x, DS18B20, LM35, PT100/1000, PIC16F84.Most pure fun potential: flyback transformer

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2013, 06:00:05 am
content: HV MOSFET: IRFP450LV MOSFET: IRF3205ULV MOSFET: TI NexFETs, they have extremely low RDSon and VthVoltage regulator module: PTN78060Microcontroller: PIC24/dsPIC/PIC32, along with PIC16/PIC18 for less demanding applicationsAudio amplifier: TPA3122D2/TPA3125D2USB to RS232: FTDI series

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2013, 09:57:36 pm
content: my favorite component is anything made from sand... there you go. that covers all of it. My ultimate dream is to move to Bora-Bora or the Maldives and design circuits on the beach , directly in silicon. no costly software or computers needed. a wooden stick and simply draw your schematics on the silicon crystals. and if you make a mistake the oncoming wave will fix that ...

author: marshallh
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 06, 2013, 12:37:34 am
content: FPGA...

author: muvideo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2013, 08:41:23 am
content: Quote from: free_electron on January 05, 2013, 09:57:36 pmYou risk to be distracted by silicone on that beaches...but probably that distraction would be welcome

author: Alex
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2013, 10:26:00 am
content: There is something magical and captivating in the glow of neon-filled indicator tubes, the forerunners of modern LCD and LED displays. These devices were made back in the days of the Soviet Union.My favourites are the IN-18, large digits yet compact. Here it is used in a clock:Equally beautiful pieces of history are bargraph neon indicators such as the IN-13. Here the IN-13 is used in a room thermometer:EDIT: Thank you jancumps!Alex.

author: jancumps
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 06, 2013, 12:15:19 pm
content: Quote from: Alex on January 06, 2013, 10:26:00 amseems you have some troubles posting images