> I have an amp that I have put several 5.6Volt @ 5watt zeners
> in series for cathode bias. They get way too hot with
> about 800ma of current. Can I parallel zeners to divide the
> current without problems with balance between them?
Hi Doug,
You should have enough headroom. That's only .8^2 * 5.6= 3.6 watts
per diode. Maybe the heatsink is too small, or mounting is incorrect.
You know diodes can run pretty hot and remain safe.
You could try to parallel another totally separate series string. ESR
probably would be high enough that you may not need to equalize the
strings with external resistors You'd have to test that, and make
sure the strings were substantially equal in voltage.
I'd probably just use a couple power transistors as a wrap around
device to boost current, unless you wanted to use a diode reference
and build a two- or three-transistor adjustable regulator.73, Tom
W8JI
W8JI@contesting.com
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