Newby Help - Gaming wheel - TIP42C transistor fried

[Uncleslam]

I've got a really nice Fanatec Speedster wheel for my 1st gen xbox. Today the force feedback from the right side failed (from the left side still works). I also smelled that nasty electrical smell. So I opened it up and found two transistors labeled TIP42C. One has a crack in its plastic jacket, so I assume that is the right side one, that overheated.

Never replaced a transistor before. But have done plenty of soldering and this looks easy actually. Do I have to be careful which transistor I get or will any listed as TIP42C work? I noticed there is a seperate number, 328, on the jacket as well. So do I need to buy one that is 328 as well as TIP42C? Ebay has a TIP42C for like $14 shipped - seems expensive to me. Any place cheaper?

Thanks,
Mark

[vtech]

TIP42C is the correct number. Only thing is that you may infact have other damaged components even though nothing else may physically look damaged? --hard to tell w/out knowing more about the drive circuit?

Depending on the circuit design, there may be a pair of power transistors that could easily be damaged if one fails? (ofcourse it would be easy to check with an ohmeter) Otherwise it can be a guess & it may be just that one failed transistor?

Either way, $14.00 does sounds too high for TIP42C which is considered obsolete but by no means special and can be sustituted. You could probably even get it local.--- on secong thought, with pacakaging/minimums etc, may be just about what it would cost? don't know?

Try some of the following to see if any cheaper?
http://audiolabga.com
http://www.bdent.com
http://www.mcminone.com
http://digikey.com/
http://www.mouser.com/

[minnie]

Crosses to a NTE332 $7.32 or less.

http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/5181
$3.56

[uncleslam]

Thanks for the advice - I appreciate it. I'll go ahead and replace the transistor, hopefully that will alone will fix it.