Why did nobody tell me…?
Well, several melted microchips, a burnt finger, a bunch of messing about with a multimeter and a lot of googling later, I have a question…
Why did nobody tell me that you need a resistor on the base on a transistor to prevent rather large amounts of current flowing.
Oh well, I guess I’ve learned something for next time – PICs don’t like having 200mA or so pulled through their pins.
you, sir, need the bible
http://frank.harvard.edu/aoe/
It’s funny you should mention that, actually. I have recently acquired just that book, and have spent most of today reading the part on transistors…
I think for the first time I properly understand them, and have just designed myself a simple preamplifier for my cello.
(Halfway through a degree in electronic engineering later),
I hope nobody finds this post when I’m all famous and working on something super important.