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Old 12-28-2013, 05:02 AM   #57 (permalink)
nackerton
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Tele man View Post
No, it's the COMBINED voltage drops [ 0.7VDC(diode) + 2.0VDC(led) ] that set the VOLTAGE that is maintained across the capacitor that the diode & LED are in parallel with. Both devices are needed; it's the series summation of their voltage-drops that's supposed to ħequal the capacitor's 2.7VDC working voltage.

As stated earlier, all the LEDs+diodes COULD be replaced with precision resistors, but would likely NOT be as precise in voltage balance across each individual capacitor...the LED+diode combination has much tighter variance.
Good info, thanks. I have one problem in my mind: could you easily burn those diodes if capacitor(s) is badly out of balance and charging current is high?

And when the diodes die, capacitor is next...

Last edited by nackerton; 12-28-2013 at 05:19 AM..
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