# MOSFET alternative for simple hygrometer

**URL:** <https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/mosfet-alternative-for-simple-hygrometer/13382>\
**Category:** Support\
**Created:** [11 March 2022 03:48 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/mosfet-alternative-for-simple-hygrometer/13382 "2022-03-11T03:48:28Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Chiya195736](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Chiya195736](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Chiya195736)\
**Post date:** [11 March 2022 03:48 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/mosfet-alternative-for-simple-hygrometer/13382/1 "2022-03-11T03:48:28Z")

</div>

Hey all,

I’m making a replica soil sensor from [DIY Thirsty Plant Kit Manual | Make | Tech Will Save Us](https://make.techwillsaveus.com/thirsty-plant-kit/manuals/make-the-circuit/#/) with my yr8 STEM class for a mother’s day project using recycled plastic for the structure.  
My knowledge of electronics is very minimal unfortunately even despite my best efforts at reading and trying to understand haha.  
I’ve got the 10mm LED’s, and the correct resistor, however, am struggling to find the mosfet (when the circuit is not connected, flash LED), it has the numbers IRLZ24, Y68K, AA, 7A printed on it with three pins.  
I also need to purchase a hobby solar panel, and didn’t know if I had to get a certain voltage because I’d like to keep it small, 60mm x 80mm, and was thinking [4 Pcs 1.5V 0.65W 60X80mm Micro Mini Solar Panel Cells For Solar Power Energy | eBay](https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/401589371185?hash=item5d80978131:g:KaEAAOSwt~5bg3zb) as an example.

Any help here would be amazing!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Trent5487676](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/trent5487676/32/4583_2.png) [@Trent5487676](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Trent5487676)\
**Post date:** [11 March 2022 04:37 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/mosfet-alternative-for-simple-hygrometer/13382/2 "2022-03-11T04:37:09Z")

</div>

Hi Chiya,

The MOSFET used is an IRLZ24 with [these specifications](https://www.vishay.com/docs/91326/sihlz24.pdf) which is an N-channel power MOSFET. We have a fairly generic replacement on our site you can use instead with the same pinout and similar specs.

> **[N-Channel MOSFET 60V 30A (P30N06LE)](https://core-electronics.com.au/n-channel-mosfet-60v-30a.html)**
>
> If you’ve ever wondered how to control the headlight of a car from a microcontroller, a MOSFET is what you need. This is a very common MOSFET with very low on-resistance and a control voltage (aka gate voltage) that is compatible with any 3-5V...

There aren’t really any details on the solar panel but it says it makes about as much electricity as a small AA battery in bright light. AAs usually have around 1.2 to 1.5 volts output which matches well with the nominal output of the eBay solar cells you linked.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Chiya195736](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Chiya195736](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Chiya195736)\
**Post date:** [13 March 2022 04:29 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/mosfet-alternative-for-simple-hygrometer/13382/3 "2022-03-13T04:29:53Z")

</div>

Amazing! Thank you so much! Electronics is a whole new world above basic circuits that you learn at highschool haha

Chiya