🚀 go-pugleaf

In <6709@merlin.usc.edu> cyamamot@girtab.usc.edu (Cliff Yamamoto) writes:
>This got me thinking about the audio/ham-radio gear I have installed in my
>car.  Can anyone confirm if the following would work:
>
>  (-) 12 Vdc (+)  30 Amp
> +--- battery ---o-fuse-o--+----> to your favorite & expensive equipment
> |                         |
> |                         -
> |                         ^ 30 Amp +15 Vdc Zener diode  ( just match the
> |                         |                               diode rating with
> +-------------------------+----> car chassis              the fuse rating )
>

That looks reasonable with  a few  caveats.  The fuse  should be smaller
than  the Zener, and  be  quick blow, since you don't  want the Zener to
blow first.  If you  want to be fancy, run  the  car's ignition off this
circuit also, or have some other indicator, so you  know when there's an
overvoltage.

A high tech version  of  a  Zener  diode  is an LM385   (approx) voltage
regulator.  I used to use one to give 6V 2A out (from 12V in).  It got a
2" long heat sink practically too hot to touch, but survived.
-- 
						   Wm. Randolph Franklin
Internet: wrf@ecse.rpi.edu (or @cs.rpi.edu)    Bitnet: Wrfrankl@Rpitsmts
Telephone: (518) 276-6077;  Telex: 6716050 RPI TROU; Fax: (518) 276-6261
Paper: ECSE Dept., 6026 JEC, Rensselaer Polytechnic Inst, Troy NY, 12180