Clipping Diodes - BAT41 vs. BAT46?

Frequent question abouts LED and other types of diodes.
Post Reply
User avatar
jasonsguild
Information
Posts: 19
Joined: 23 Feb 2012, 19:12
Has thanked: 1 time

Post by jasonsguild »

Newbie question here about clipping diodes.

Is there a big difference between a BAT41 and BAT46 when used as a clipping diode? Will the only difference between the two be that the BAT41 will start clipping sooner?

Thanks

User avatar
skylark44
Solder Soldier
Information
Posts: 234
Joined: 09 Sep 2010, 01:41
Has thanked: 8 times
Been thanked: 4 times

Post by skylark44 »

BUMP!...I'm also curious whether there would be a noticeable difference, in tone...if I substituted 2 parallel BAT46's for BAT 41's, in a passive "distortion" circuit. Or would the 41's clipping just start slightly sooner, compared to the 46's? :scratch: :mrgreen:

User avatar
skylark44
Solder Soldier
Information
Posts: 234
Joined: 09 Sep 2010, 01:41
Has thanked: 8 times
Been thanked: 4 times

Post by skylark44 »

Double-BUMP!! :mrgreen:

User avatar
jasonsguild
Information
Posts: 19
Joined: 23 Feb 2012, 19:12
Has thanked: 1 time

Post by jasonsguild »

Not sure if it helps any, I still don't know that actual answer myself, but I breadboarded a L.Lius clone with the bat41s in place of the bat46s. The LL has three clipping settings, one being parallel diodes I believe. It sounded pretty dern good to me. The only thing I noticed was that there was volume drop when in the parallel clipping mode, but I was expecting that anyways. Perhaps the volume drop would be less with the bat46s if they are clipping a little later.

-J

User avatar
briggs
Tube Twister
Information
Posts: 1971
Joined: 12 Jul 2007, 10:02
my favorite amplifier: Briggs Custom Suprono
Completed builds: Too many to still class myself as sane....
Location: Breaking into Heaven.
Has thanked: 27 times
Been thanked: 128 times
Contact:

Post by briggs »

It's all about the diode's forward voltage (how much voltage is needed to turn them on.). BAT46 require around 0.25v to turn on while BAT41 require around 0.4v to turn on. Therefore the BAT46 will turn on sooner and clip more of the signal than BAT41 diodes will.
Image

I am Klon.

User avatar
jasonsguild
Information
Posts: 19
Joined: 23 Feb 2012, 19:12
Has thanked: 1 time

Post by jasonsguild »

Thanks for clearing that one up. Guess I mixed up the specs between the two :oops:

User avatar
skylark44
Solder Soldier
Information
Posts: 234
Joined: 09 Sep 2010, 01:41
Has thanked: 8 times
Been thanked: 4 times

Post by skylark44 »

Thanx, from me as well...now I won't bother getting any BAT 41's, if they're not neccessary for what I'm building. :mrgreen:

User avatar
skylark44
Solder Soldier
Information
Posts: 234
Joined: 09 Sep 2010, 01:41
Has thanked: 8 times
Been thanked: 4 times

Post by skylark44 »

Slightly OT, but how would it effect the clipping, if I put two BAT 46's (or 41's) in series...or would that alter the tone (clipping) at all? :mrgreen:

User avatar
jtn191
Solder Soldier
Information
Posts: 162
Joined: 01 Jan 2011, 10:28
Has thanked: 31 times
Been thanked: 22 times

Post by jtn191 »

diodes in series raise the clipping threshold, giving you a more dynamic clipping pattern

User avatar
briggs
Tube Twister
Information
Posts: 1971
Joined: 12 Jul 2007, 10:02
my favorite amplifier: Briggs Custom Suprono
Completed builds: Too many to still class myself as sane....
Location: Breaking into Heaven.
Has thanked: 27 times
Been thanked: 128 times
Contact:

Post by briggs »

jtn191 wrote:diodes in series raise the clipping threshold, giving you a more dynamic clipping pattern
Yep, so if the forward voltage of one diode is 0.25v two in series will require 0.5v to turn on (clip).
Image

I am Klon.

User avatar
skylark44
Solder Soldier
Information
Posts: 234
Joined: 09 Sep 2010, 01:41
Has thanked: 8 times
Been thanked: 4 times

Post by skylark44 »

So if I use teo diodes, in series...it will clip more, giving more of a "distortion" effect? (am I understanding this correctly? :| ). Also, will doing this be slightly louder, than using parallel diodes? :mrgreen:

User avatar
briggs
Tube Twister
Information
Posts: 1971
Joined: 12 Jul 2007, 10:02
my favorite amplifier: Briggs Custom Suprono
Completed builds: Too many to still class myself as sane....
Location: Breaking into Heaven.
Has thanked: 27 times
Been thanked: 128 times
Contact:

Post by briggs »

other way round - two diodes in series means less clipping (half as much)
Image

I am Klon.

Post Reply