[Fot] Technical Question

[Bill Tobin]

Great description; thanks.

Bill

On 2/13/2020 12:19 AM, Randall wrote:
>> Metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor I think.
>> That's about all I know about MOSFETs!
> MOSFETs basically have a very thin layer of glass between the control
> element and the rest of the transistor, giving them a very high input
> resistance and hence easy to control from a microprocessor that has only
> logic level outputs.
>
> They also can be designed with very low resistance in the ON state, making
> them ideal for handling high currents.  I use some older ones (that I got
> for free) that are good to 12 amps or so; while there are versions available
> that can handle 500 amps (probably even more by now).
>
> Didn't really need a MOSFET here, but that's what controls the center brake
> light in this (very brief) video
> https://youtu.be/q4GMcD9DktQ
>
> But unlike Bill, I didn't bother with using a microprocessor.  The 4 blinks
> are provided by an old fashioned NE556 integrated circuit.  Sometimes simple
> is better.  The entire circuit, including active current limit for the LEDs
> and some more LEDs to provide a license plate light (not shown), is located
> inside the center brake light.
>
> -- Randall
> 56 TR3 TS13571L once and future daily driver
> 71 Stag LE1473 - awaiting engine rebuild
> 71-2-3 Stag - awaiting gearbox rebuild
>