LED Flasher/Oscilator replacement IC?

I have been using an LM3909 IC or an NTE876 for a VERY simple LED flasher. See schematic.

and I am very pleased with it, However it is now time to make a couple more of them and the chip is obsolete but some are still avail. but at a cost of $11.00 US plus shipping. This is almost ridiculous.

Yes I know that flashing/blinking LEDs are avail. but the blink rate is not controllable. With the LM3909 it is with different caps.

The main reason for liking the original circuit is that it will operate continuously for about 1 full year on a single "C" battery. I have tried a 555 timer set up with a 9 volt battery and the battery life is about 4 or 5 days.

Does anyone know of a new chip that replaces the obsolete one that doesn't cost an arm and leg?

Or is there another way to blink a single LED on one battery for that length of time? (And control the blink rate) Even 6 months is acceptable.

Thanks in advance for any input or advice.

Found them for $2.75 here: https://www.futurlec.com/Linear/LM3909Npr.shtml

Thanks for your reply. I checked there, they are out of stock, and am waiting on an answer as to whether or not they can supply 5 of them at that price and the time frame.

Thanks, and will post the results.

Houston - we have a slight problem. When I emailed them I got this ->"
There was an error sending your message: Validation failed for: sales@futurlec.com."

So back to the drawing board.

OK, I found some, 2 week lead time, $5 each, on Ebay

I would still like to find an alternative circuit with equiv. battery life.

Thanks.

The 555. Was it the cmos? Could you use a simple cmos gate oscillator?

zalmaflash said:

I would still like to find an alternative circuit with equiv. battery life.

Click to expand...

Have you never heard of google?

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or

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