Yes, it is possible the transistor went bad. When I tested it again by connecting the 5VDC PSU leads to the transistor and common ground, it blew an LED that was in the circuit before the transistor. Going "reverse", it was the transistor, then a 230 Ohm resistor, then an LED and the positive of the LED was connected to nothing. I put the 5vdc psu lead to the base of the transistor and the psu gnd to the common gnd and the LED blew out loudly. POP! Odd?
Anyway I got it working again, but only after I switched out the transistor for a BC338. I also added a diode to the circuit that the Arduino digital pin goes thru before the transistor, to protect the Arduino. Not sure if this actually protects the Arduino, but it seemed like an OK idea --especially after that LED blew out. The circuit is working. ----- Anyone, Please let me know if this actually Protects the Arduino. -------
Because the other transistor is Japanese, the pins are in a different configuration, so, unfortunately, I will have to de-solder the circuit and redo it with the new, BC338 transistor.
Let's see if it works this time around. If so, I will build all five channels/five relays.
Thanks!
1N4007 the added Diode to possibly protect the Arduino:
https://www.diodes.com/assets/Datasheets/ds28002.pdfChanged the transistor to model BC338:
https://pdf1.alldatasheet.com/datasheet-pdf/view/2889/MOTOROLA/BC338-25.html