2026-09-14 (M) EleKSCo REV05 Zener diodes as voltage regulators

I had to spend all day flying for work, and I spent the time researching how to use Zener diodes as voltage regulators. I knew they were a small, simple, but wasteful way to shed unwanted voltage. For this project, it makes sense to sacrifice some battery capacity for steady voltage since I can swap batteries quickly and everyone will use knives at the same power. Additionally, I wanted to have several different options so that I could have a variety of battery holders in different colors, and each color would correspond to a different output. Red would be unregulated, yellow would be a medium voltage, and green would barely throw a spark but probably run for a long time. I sketched the example circuit from the online tutorial and ran calculations for a few voltages that might work well. The best way to find the optimal voltages will be to connect the knife to an adjustable power supply, which should be easy because of the barrel connector inside. It seems I should use a 1 W 6 Ω resistor paired with a 1 W Zener diode. These components may require a bit more space in the battery holder, but it should be worth the flexibility.

Calculations and example circuit from an online tutorial

GitHub repo for EleKSco.
The rest of the posts for this project have been arranged by date.
First time here?

Completed projects from year 1
Completed projects from year 2
Completed projects from year 3
Completed projects from year 4
Completed projects from year 5
Completed projects from year 6
Completed projects from year 7
Completed projects from year 8
Completed projects from year 9
Completed projects from year 10
Completed projects from year 11
Completed projects from year 12

Disclaimer for http://24hourengineer.blogspot.com and 24HourEngineer.com

This disclaimer must be intact and whole. This disclaimer must be included if a project is distributed.

All information on this blog, or linked by this blog, is not to be taken as advice or solicitation. Anyone attempting to replicate, in whole or in part, is responsible for the outcome and procedure. Any loss of functionality, money, property, or similar, is the responsibility of those involved in the replication.

All digital communication regarding the email address 24hourengineer@gmail.com becomes the intellectual property of Brian McEvoy. Any information contained within these messages may be distributed or retained at the discretion of Brian McEvoy. Any email sent to this address, or any email account owned by  Brian McEvoy, cannot be used to claim property or assets.

Comments to the blog may be utilized or erased at the discretion of the owner. No one posting may claim property or assets based on their post.

This blog, including pictures and text, is copyright to Brian McEvoy.
2026-09-14