how do you hook up a low voltage to the base of a transistor to turn it on?

Question

I know it takes very little current to turn it on, but, dose this low voltage source have its own circuit?
I try to set it up on my breadboard but nothing works.

Answer 1

You don't bias a transistor by applying a voltage (between base and emitter.)
You bias it by applying current through the base/emitter.

The simplest way to do this is with a resistor from base to the supply ( the emitter being connected to 0V)

Make contact through the message system if I can be of further help. I can send diagrams via email or post them for you on my web site.

Answer 2

With a PNP transistor connect battery positive directly to the emitter. Now connect the load (light bulb) to the collector. Then connect the other side of the load to the battery negative. Now simply short the base to the collector. No other components are necessary.
Its called a transistor switch.

Answer 3

You connect a power supply to the base of the transistor. You don't need to worry about "low or high" other than to make sure you're within your data sheet constraints. The base-to-emitter junction will drop the necessary voltage to turn the transistor on, based on the data sheet(i.e. 0.6V ~0.7V). I think you have your wiring wrong or the transistor is bad.