555 of flip flop chip?

Thread Starter

antennaboy

Joined Jan 31, 2008
48
Hello forum.

to make an LED blink, would I use a 555 chip or a flip flop and why?
What is easier and why?

thanks
antennaboy
 

jimkeith

Joined Oct 26, 2011
540
A 555 is easier and has more drive capacity than a flip-flop.
An astable flip-flop can do the same thing, but at less power.
 

Wendy

Joined Mar 24, 2008
23,415
A 555 can sink and source 200ma, though it is recommended to hold that at 100ma.

A CMOS circuit can sink or source 7ma max, more than that you run the risk of burning up the chip.
 

Bernard

Joined Aug 7, 2008
5,784
A toggle FF requires an external clock; multivibrator [MV], built with transistors ,Rs & Cs will drive LEDs, lots of components & connections; MV using 74C914, schmitt trigger invertor will drive LED @ 10mA with Vdd 9V, or more output I by paralleling stages. Choice depends on what you have on hand & future plans- my vote is still 555, few components, output not as sensitive to Vdd, & cheap.
 
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