[sdiy] Zeners!

[Oren Leavitt]

Hi Julian,

Stacking lower value zeners should work ok.
A reverse-biased bipolar transistor BE junction will also work as a zener of about 6 volts or so.

Your misbehaving zener might be good candidate for a noise source :)

Oren

-----Original Message-----
From: Julian Bunn <Julian.Bunn at caltech.edu>
Sent: May 6, 2004 11:59 AM
To: 'Synth DIY List' <synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl>
Cc: julian at cacr.caltech.edu
Subject: [sdiy] Zeners!


The Minisonic2 envelope shapers use 5.1V Zeners. I found last night that one
of the Zeners I have used is misbehaving, and I don't have a replacement.

My question for the electronics guys on the list is: if I find two lower
voltage Zeners in my parts box that add to 5.1V can I use them in series
to fake a 5.1V Zener?

For the interested, the circuit of the Envelope Shaper is at:

http://pcbunn.cacr.caltech.edu/jjb/Synthesizers/Minisonic2/Minisonic2_Figures/Fig8.gif


Thanks!
Julian