Dating transistors?

Frequently asked question on transistors: types, substitutions, how to test, use and misuse them.
Post Reply
User avatar
lowbrow
Breadboard Brother
Information
Posts: 51
Joined: 15 Jul 2009, 23:52
Has thanked: 9 times
Been thanked: 7 times

Post by lowbrow »

I have a number of old RCA germaniums and they always have some sort of code on them, a combination of letters and numbers I can make no sense of. Was there some sort of date code they put on these? Anyone know how to read it?

User avatar
Lucifer
Cap Cooler
Information
Posts: 671
Joined: 06 Apr 2011, 12:59
my favorite amplifier: Vyse BBQ Blue
Location: Dorset, UK
Has thanked: 89 times
Been thanked: 72 times

Post by Lucifer »

Be a man and date women instead !
”Sex is great - but you can’t beat the real thing !” - The Wanker’s Handbook

User avatar
frequencycentral
Cap Cooler
Information
Posts: 696
Joined: 30 Mar 2009, 09:37
Location: United Kingdom
Has thanked: 28 times
Been thanked: 61 times

Post by frequencycentral »

Lucifer wrote:Be a man and date women instead !
^^^

This.

Though all women are also bipolar and need careful biasing.

User avatar
Lucifer
Cap Cooler
Information
Posts: 671
Joined: 06 Apr 2011, 12:59
my favorite amplifier: Vyse BBQ Blue
Location: Dorset, UK
Has thanked: 89 times
Been thanked: 72 times

Post by Lucifer »

And the difference between NPN and PNP ?

No Pricks, Never and Powermad Neurotic Pussy ?

:twisted:
”Sex is great - but you can’t beat the real thing !” - The Wanker’s Handbook

User avatar
Lucifer
Cap Cooler
Information
Posts: 671
Joined: 06 Apr 2011, 12:59
my favorite amplifier: Vyse BBQ Blue
Location: Dorset, UK
Has thanked: 89 times
Been thanked: 72 times

Post by Lucifer »

We digress - and get naughty, because we can - but to answer your question, lowbrow, do you have any of the codes ?

We may be able to fathom something from them if you could let us have the details.
”Sex is great - but you can’t beat the real thing !” - The Wanker’s Handbook

User avatar
Lucifer
Cap Cooler
Information
Posts: 671
Joined: 06 Apr 2011, 12:59
my favorite amplifier: Vyse BBQ Blue
Location: Dorset, UK
Has thanked: 89 times
Been thanked: 72 times

Post by Lucifer »

I've just found an RCA transistor manual at http://ebookbrowse.com/rca-transistor-m ... d236908415 - which may be of use. It seems to only have transistors beginning with 2N . . . though.

Thinking back to my childhood (such a long time ago), there were AC... (such as AC127, AC128), OC... (such as OC71, OC44), and manufacturer-specific numbers such as Newmarket (NKT...)

I can't recall any numbers/codes that were RCA specific, though.
”Sex is great - but you can’t beat the real thing !” - The Wanker’s Handbook

User avatar
snofla1900
Breadboard Brother
Information
Posts: 129
Joined: 23 Sep 2012, 13:33
Has thanked: 83 times
Been thanked: 7 times

Post by snofla1900 »

That site gives a viruswarning !!

Here a safer way: http://www.introni.it/pdf/RCA%20Transis ... 201964.pdf

Alf

Post Reply