Jon1967us
08-27-2020, 11:31 AM
I've discovered a faulty twin diode of the Selenium variety in my '56 GE portable and wish to replace with 2 Silicons. I'm aware of the voltage drop difference, but was wondering if there was any problem in simply soldering 2 diodes together at the cathodes (original was a common cathode), thus effectively making a 3 leg component?
I used 2 1n4007s because of the current requirements ( i don't have Germaniums that can take that amount of voltage)
BTW, should I have used 2 Schottkeys instead?
Electronic M
08-27-2020, 01:05 PM
I've discovered a faulty twin diode of the Selenium variety in my '56 GE portable and wish to replace with 2 Silicons. I'm aware of the voltage drop difference, but was wondering if there was any problem in simply soldering 2 diodes together at the cathodes (original was a common cathode), thus effectively making a 3 leg component?
I used 2 1n4007s because of the current requirements ( i don't have Germaniums that can take that amount of voltage)
BTW, should I have used 2 Schottkeys instead?
It will work but shotkey or other high speed diode are preferable... there's a good thread on ARF that recommends a specific part.
Jon1967us
08-27-2020, 02:39 PM
OK, I'll search for it. Thanks.
Jon1967us
08-27-2020, 02:52 PM
Reposting some info from ARF here to save anyone else the trip:
A fast recovery silicon diode such as the 1N4087 that he used should work. I believe the 1N914 would also work.
The 1N4087 has a recovery time of a couple of nanoseconds which is plenty fast.
The selenium rectifiers had a fast recovery time because they had negligible charge storage. However, the capacitance should also be kept small which means a small contact area which in turns limits the current capability.
The 1N4007 has a recovery time of 30 microseconds. That's almost half a horizontal scan so that obviously wouldn't work. The 1N914 has a recovery time of 4 nsecs, so it should work.
Jon1967us
08-27-2020, 08:07 PM
https://ibb.co/kJGy30Q
Actually, two 1n4007s tied at their butts works just fine apparently.
At least, in my little GE...
old_tv_nut
08-27-2020, 10:24 PM
Reposting some info from ARF here to save anyone else the trip:
A fast recovery silicon diode such as the 1N4087 that he used should work. I believe the 1N914 would also work.
The 1N4087 has a recovery time of a couple of nanoseconds which is plenty fast.
The selenium rectifiers had a fast recovery time because they had negligible charge storage. However, the capacitance should also be kept small which means a small contact area which in turns limits the current capability.
The 1N4007 has a recovery time of 30 microseconds. That's almost half a horizontal scan so that obviously wouldn't work. The 1N914 has a recovery time of 4 nsecs, so it should work.
1N4007 spec sheet says 2 microseconds recovery time, so should work.
https://www.rhydolabz.com/components-diodes-leds-c-172_194/1n4007-1a-power-diode-p-2214.html
I thought 30 microseconds sounded suspect.