Gadget Freak - Gadget Freak Case #220: Power Lock With a Secret Code

Gadget Freak Case #220: Power Lock With a Secret Code: William Grill has a workbench covered with electronic gad...

Wow! Thank you William, for using my SCR voltage regulator! I invented it back in 1978. I tried to publish it in EDN magazine back then and they didn't want it. It's loosely regulated, but it is very energy efficient. When the relay is off, you're not burning up power in a zener diode. You already know that you can add a small voltage regulator if you need more precise regulation, like for the microcontroller. You may have seen it used in three of my GF projects, GF#195, the master/slave switch, GF#198, the remote fan control and GF #218, the space heater thermostat. I have used it in a number of unpublished other gadgets that I have around the house as well. Maybe it was a good idea, after all, huh? I've had a couple of people ask me about it. At least one person appreciates it. It's also more robust against power surges than a zener diode regulator. The master/slave powe...

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