[sdiy] Supercaps!

[Bert Schiettecatte]

Hi All,

I came across super capacitors while browsing some catalogues, and I am
interested in trying to power an Atmel ATTiny26 from a supercap for one
hour or so. While googling for supercapacitors and microcontrollers I
found this information:

http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/51337a.pdf

It says on page 21 of this document: DO NOT use this circuit as a
general design practice. I am a bit puzzled now. Some other electronics
guru today told me he would never use a supercap for powering a device
except a PIC in sleep mode (what this app note is all about). What is
wrong with powering something with a super capacitor? It seemed like a
very cool idea instead of going through all the hassle of builing a
lithium-polymer battery circuit to power my microcontroller...

Any comments? Suggestions? Super cap hate mail?

bert