Well I placed the order for what I believe to be the same as the failed part, Fairchild
bipolar junction transistorI bought 2 extra. And I assume they are higher quality than what came with the cheapowatt, but who can say.
While the thermal pads provided with the cheapowatt could be reused, I decided to go for the
Thermal Interface Products SIL PAD 400 , the 900 is for low pressure applications if I understood correctly and there is a screw pulling these BJT's tight to the heat sink from the outside of the case.
I got 4 or 6 or something. I plan to replace the thermal pads behind the other transistors pulled tight to the heatsink on the side of the unit.
So, I guess there is to be no thermal grease applied. So I'll be removing the giant globs Cheapowatt installed between pad and heatsink.
Shipping pushed the price to well over half what the cheapowatt was delivered for.
So it goes.
