9v Zener diode in the Slambox

[cleanclang]

The layout stipulates a 9v Zener. I have some 9.1vs knocking around. Will a 9.1v do?

[Haberdasher]

I assume it should be ok, but I'd like to know for sure as well. 

[chutneyfarmer]

I assume it should be ok, but I'd like to know for sure as well. 

And me!!!

[oldhousescott]

A 9.1v zener is fine. It just has to protect the input of the MOSFET from seeing more than its rated 20v Gate to Source breakdown voltage.

[cleanclang]

Much obliged, thankee. 

[jkokura]

Just to repeat, I'm pretty sure a 9V zener IS 9.1V, as is a 5v is 5.1...

I'm pretty sure of this, but I could be wrong I guess. I'm just going by this: http://www.smallbearelec.com/Categories.bok

Jacob

[wasteofspace]

Just to repeat, I'm pretty sure a 9V zener IS 9.1V, as is a 5v is 5.1...

I'm pretty sure of this, but I could be wrong I guess. I'm just going by this: http://www.smallbearelec.com/Categories.bok

Jacob

You might be pretty sure, but I'm positive     . A 9v1 zener is the beast you're looking for, as would be a 5v1 for a 5v.

Remember- this isn't the space shuttle you're building. .1 of 9v1 is 1% = well within tolerances.

[Haberdasher]

I see there are some different 9.1v zeners for sale at various places I browse.  Some are rated at 400mV and then others are 1 watt.  Does it matter which ones we use?

[jkokura]

It only matters when your power supply is greater than the wattage.

Jacob

[wasteofspace]

I see there are some different 9.1v zeners for sale at various places I browse.  Some are rated at 400mV and then others are 1 watt.  Does it matter which ones we use?

The quick answer is no. 400 will more than cover it for what we are looking at. The long answer..?

(Sorry if I sound like I'm lecturing, but I teach in the music industry. It's nothing personal.)

The more involved answer asks you to look at all of your "bits". So, do you use 5% or 1% resistors? Carbon or metal film? What rating do you use for your electro caps- 85 degrees or 105 degrees? 16v, 25v, 50v, 100v, or 450v?

What is comes down to is "leeway". I choose to use 50v minimum caps. I believe it is better- but it is hard to prove definitively why. I also use 1% resisitors.

I believe that I have a better quality effect for using these components. I believe they are more rugged, able to cope with wear and tear better. But on the other side of the coin, 450v caps are probably over the top.

But I also include a voltage protection diode and power smoothing cap and resistor in every build I do, regardless of the schematic. (Pop over to www.muzique.com and have a look; if Jack Orman says so, I think it's worthwhile listening to... )

Remember what I said earlier, you're building an effect, not a space shuttle. You always have some room to move. So relax and enjoy building, and using, your effects. 

Or to put it another way- the day I need to find and use a 472.3k resisitor is the day I hang up my soldering iron.