I was wondering if sparkfun could provide a pcb for a 555, unintegrated and just discrete, transistors and all? I know several datasheets include a schematic, and many books provide a simplified schematic, but I think it could be educational, and kind of cool just to have a palm sized 555 timer. I’m not sure if licensing would be an issue, but since numbers can’t be trademarked(which is why Intel called the 80586 a pentium) it could just be called the sf555.
If what you want is a timer, why not just an 8 pin microcontroller? 10x more flexible and a lot more accurate than a 555. You can get much longer times, too.
They are even available in tiny six pin packages.
Leon
Philba:
If what you want is a timer, why not just an 8 pin microcontroller? 10x more flexible and a lot more accurate than a 555. You can get much longer times, too.
The OP may be interested in the astable aspects of the 555. However, marketing a general purpose 555 board that could anticipate the frequency and duty cycle requirements of their customers would be very hit and miss. For a 4-5 component board, it just easier to build with perfboard or a breadboard.
Agreed about the microcontroller. They are just so darned flexible.
The intent wouldn’t be just a timer. It’d be more educational and geeky. Hand soldering the 94+ leads, showing the comparators, the flip flop, etc. Just using a dedicated dual op amp along with a flip flop would take away the fun from it.
I agree. I have been looking for a circuit/PCB for the 555 built out of discrete components for awhile.
good idea to provide this kind board to a new learner.
Forrest Mims III has a great Timer, Op-Amp, Optoelectronic circuit book. However, its at the intermediate level, and if you really need access to an o’scope, to take full advantage of the knowledge in the book.