ULN2083 - What are the alternatives?

[tim_l_012]

Hello to all readers,

I have been looking at this fan monitoring article:
**broken link removed**

And I want to know what are the alternatives to the IC that the author uses. The IC is the ULN2803 from Jameco, but I couldn't find it anywhere.

He describes it as a 18-pin IC, but I am not sure if I can use any 18-pin IC or not.

If someone could help me out here it would be very helpful.

Thanks in advance,

 

[kinjalgp]

ULN2803 is 8-transistor current sink driver. Here in the circuit only 1 out of 8 transistor is used so you can use any other sink drivers like ULN2003 which are 7-transistor sink drivers and is easily available.

 

[tim_l_012]

OK, Well the place I would be buying it from would be Dick Smith electronics in Australia.

I have had a look at the online product listing, and i have foun a 7 Way Darlington Driver. I did a search for ULN and thats what I got.

Could I use that?

http://www.dse.com.au

Thanks in advance,

 

[kinjalgp]

Yes thats it. It is ULN2003. You can use it. Have a look at this page.
http://www.dse.com.au/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/3ecf084e0478b2322740c0a87f9c06bb/Product/View/Z5380