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Using usual diodes instead of Zeners

Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 10:34 pm
by BarsMonster
Is that possible to use couple of 1N4148 diodes(3.3/0.7 = 4-5 ones) instead of 3.3/3.6V Zener ones?

And sorry for terrible question, can I just feed 5v on a USB as a temporary solution? (I'll have Zeners in about 2 weeks, too slow....)
Will it immidiately burn PC's controller (provided that's a spare PC, and I can sacrafice it :-) )

Re: Using usual diodes instead of Zeners

Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 12:01 am
by ulao
I have seen people using 1N4148, and I have powered many projects on another +5 power source.

Re: Using usual diodes instead of Zeners

Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 1:46 am
by Grendel
I would try it without diodes 1st. Supposedly 80% of USB hosts will tolerate it and the ones that don't will just refuse service to the device, not burn up ;)

Re: Using usual diodes instead of Zeners

Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 1:50 am
by BarsMonster
Grendel wrote:I would try it without diodes 1st. Supposedly 80% of USB hosts will tolerate it and the ones that don't will just refuse service to the device, not burn up ;)


Thanks for reply.
I think I'll just leave placeholder for zener on PCB, and will just work without them until I would get one :-)
I'll let you know results...

Re: Using usual diodes instead of Zeners

Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 7:53 am
by BarsMonster
Ok, finally device works.
It works fine without zenerz and without usual diodes for both 3.3(kinda expected) and 5v supply on both my PCs.