in that circuit, can I replace the two switches with BC547B or BC337 transistors to pull the pin below 1/3VCC to trigger it?
I feel like I'm going to need to change the resistors...

Also, could the same transistors be used to switch on a 6V (2AA) DC EL-Wire unit?
as in, put it in the power line and allow current to flow when switched on?

or do I need to use something more like a 4066?

 

Yes you can replace the switches with transistors.

For the DC EL-wire unit you need to know its current consumption in order to choose the right transistor.

 

Thankyou!
And I can't imagine that the EL wire would draw more than 800mA, so I'm assuming that I will be fine

 

The saturation voltage performance of BC337 is not brilliant at 0.5A, so it may get hot. http://www.fairchildsemi.com/ds/BC/BC337.pdf

The BC547 is only rated for 100mA maximum. http://www.fairchildsemi.com/ds/BC/BC547.pdf

You might do better to look for a device with 1A or more current rating: quite likely it would have a lower saturation voltage at the current you need, as well as being potentially more reliable from being run well within its ratings.

 

The saturation voltage performance of BC337 is not brilliant at 0.5A, so it may get hot. http://www.fairchildsemi.com/ds/BC/BC337.pdf

The BC547 is only rated for 100mA maximum. http://www.fairchildsemi.com/ds/BC/BC547.pdf

You might do better to look for a device with 1A or more current rating: quite likely it would have a lower saturation voltage at the current you need, as well as being potentially more reliable from being run well within its ratings.

The numbers I saw showed the max current for the BC337 to be .8A, I was just saying that it was much less than that, it's probably only in the 10's of milliamps, so I should be OK
It's only going to run for a couple of minutes at most, so if it starts getting hot I'll switch to some beefier transistors

 

Always downgrade transistors to 1/2 their max current rating.

If you don't, you will be replacing a lot of transistors.

 

Always downgrade transistors to 1/2 their max current rating.

If you don't, you will be replacing a lot of transistors.

Thanks wookie, I'll keep that in mind
And I'm glad to see you're well enough to post again