What's the effect of diode change using different W but same V

I'm expecting the energy spike with have a large dissapation factor as a result of the lower resistance, and would mean a rush over twice the speed of the better suited diodes.

Plus, I have a gripe, its damn hard to get parts with the right ratings when you're designing new applications.

You always have to make design compensations and buy more parts than optimumly needed because you have to make up differences. It's rather hard that way.

anyway, can anyone offer workable solutions. I'll work it out in the end, just need a mind break,,,, coffee time!

ahh! Maccona has mere mmmmmmmm...

the only solution I can think of is to choke it down with a couple of resistors, thats if worst comes to worst and I have to use them.

feel free to offer suggestions though, if you think of any. be interesting to see what other designers think.

Maybe I'm miss reading or something.....some of the other responses seem to make no sense to me.

Replacing a zenner with a higher wattage one is fine... (unless the zenner is being used in some very specific unusual way)

12v zenners and 10v capacitors sounds wrong....

Electrolytic capacitors need to be over rated...so if you are giong to get 12v on the cap' it nees to be at least a bare minimum of say 16v rated..but 20v would be more sensible.

"12v zenners and 10v capacitors sounds wrong...."

I told you not to ask...

however, no its right. I'm using them in a new way, and I'm bending the current. And I wouldn't call it unsual, just using all the properties of a Zenner.

Thanks for the advice on the voltage over load. But I don't approach the max.

Well said Del, you beat me to it (again dammit!!)

I am not quite sure why you are asking the question or the way you have phrased it. Are you copying part of someone else's circuit? If it is so critical, have you considered looking at alternative zener diodes (remember, all you need is a data sheet to refer to).

If it is a simple circuit, then it shouldn't matter. Why does this sound like you are trying to use the specific zener diode characteristics as a battery charger controller.

More information required as the answer is no, yes or possibly!!

Its ok, I managed to get all the same values as I needed.

Thanks

Waste of time me getting up up at 4 in the morning to answer then !!

Just as well my knee was hurting, so I was up anyway... (Note for non Brits...this is a joke)

I don't even know if they're Zener diodes which is what I'm using.

This statement may confuse some readers.

it doesn't really matter now, I got the parts I needed, or more accurately, I can get them.

it was a reference to the 2 rogue diodes I found in the bunch.

Blerdy confused me....

Still makes a nice change from the "Tell me all you know about Diodes...." type questions....

John.

a bit of confusion is good from time to time. It forces you to look at what you thought you already knew, and think about other possibilities to expand what you already know... jumps are made in nothing and then you hit the ground. look at our world, is it as absolute as you thought it was? I say yes it is, on this side and that.

1W is better!

Go ahead -use them