[sdiy] 1N4148 for 1N60?

[Trevor Page]

Hmmmm...  if you're really desperate and can't wait for the shops to open, why not scrounge a couple of germanium diodes from a beaten-up old portable radio (Gradma won't notice :) They're commonly used in radio circuits for signal detection and implementing mixer circuits etc.

Germanium diodes are easily identifiable, by the way. Usually physically larger than signal diodes, they have a clear glass envelope (body) about the size of a 1/4 watt resistor. Look closely, you normally see the little bond wires inside them through the glass body. (anyone know why they are usually physically larger/different to silion junction diodes?)

Trev
 


----- Original Message -----
From: perpetual <perpetual at uswest.net>
To: synth-diy at node12b53.a2000.nl
Sent: Tue, 1 May 2001 00:45:33 +0100 (GMT+01:00)
Subject: Re: [sdiy] 1N4148 for 1N60?

> 
> >     I am not absolutely sure here, but I believe that the 1n60 was
> > germanium.  If that is the case, it will depend on the application.  A
> > silicon diode (1n914/1n4148) have a voltage drop in the forward direction of
> > about 0.6volts, and germanium diode drop about 0.2-0.3 volts.
> > 
> >     And, I just looked it up, the 1n60 is indeed a germanium part, so I
> > would say that in general, you can probably not make the substitution, but
> > again, it depends on how it is being used.  RatShack (*shudder*), used to
> > carry 1n34's, you might be able to use these.
> 
> okay, just got back from a dual ratshack run, and while there was a tag
> that said "germainum diodes" they had none.  i guess the other dude who
> scrounges last minutes parts at the portland ratshacks must have been
> out today ahead of me.
> 
> anyway, this is for a distortion pedal, so it's a good bet that the
> germaniums are necessary and are key to the sound.  so i guess i have to
> wait till tomarrow to pick my 1N34's from the "real" electro place.  
> 
> why is every parts store *not* open till 8pm?  
> 
> thanks for your help folks,
> alex




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