So, I’ve been messing around with this Arduino project where I need to power up big stuff like motors or LEDs, but you know, Arduino pins can only handle small currents. If I try to connect a big motor directly, it fries the board—been there, done that. Waste of time and money. That’s why I figured, okay, I gotta use one of those MOSFET things. They’re like tiny switches you hook up to Arduino to control the heavy lifting. But picking the best one? Man, it’s a mess. I hear people arguing online about which MOSFET is the top pick, so I decided to test a few myself and share what I learned.
Gathering the Stuff I Had Lying Around
First off, I dug through my old electronics bin—I’m a bit of a hoarder, so I always have spares. I found three common MOSFETs: an IRF540N, a BS170, and one I bought cheap online called a 2N7000. They all look kinda similar, like black chips with three legs, but I knew from past mess-ups that not all play nice with Arduino. I set up a simple test: hooking each MOSFET to my Arduino Uno and controlling a big LED strip I had. I used a basic breadboard, some jumper wires, and a power supply for the LED. No fancy tools, just hands-on tinkering.
How I Tested Each MOSFET Step-by-Step
I started with the IRF540N ’cause it’s popular. Popped it onto the breadboard, wired the Arduino output pin to the “gate” leg, the LED to the “drain” leg, and ground stuff properly. I uploaded a simple code to make the LED blink. Whoa, it worked right away—no delays, no hiccups. Even when I cranked the power, it stayed cool. But then, I tried the BS170. Big mistake. As soon as I powered it, the LED flickered weird and the MOSFET got hot fast. I cut power quick, or it could’ve fried my setup. Frustrating! Finally, I tested the 2N7000. It kinda worked but the LED dimmed too much under load—felt weak, like it was struggling. I had to add extra resistors to make it stable, which was a pain in the butt.
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Key issues I faced:
- Overheating mess: Some MOSFETs get hot too easy, risking burns or damage.
- Power struggles: Others can’t handle high currents without extra help like boosters.
- Setup annoyances: Like fussing with wires for hours just to get a stable connection.
What Worked Best for Me in the End
After all that testing, it’s clear: the IRF540N is my go-to winner. It handled everything smooth—blinking LEDs, powering motors—without a single fry-up. It’s cheap, easy to find, and just works with Arduino’s 5V pins out-of-the-box. No extra resistors or hacks needed. I saved a bunch of time on my project, finishing the motor control part in like half a day instead of a week. Total lifesaver, and now I use it in all my builds. So if you’re starting out, stick with this one. Quick choice, done deal—learn from my fussing!