> PWM'ed lowside driver using a 16F88 and an IRF540.
>    low_side.png

Hi Chris, <secular> is there a missing link ? </secular>

> I would appreciate any suggestions.

The gate is often where much attention is paid. Fast rise and fall
gate times to keep the FET out of heat-generating linear mode
for example, As the gate (and some protection components)
may have quite some capacitance, a driver with more current
capability than the PIC pin will help in that regard. Also, driving
it through a low resistance and protecting it from spikes. A zener
is common (?), maybe varistors/transorbs too

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