Mosfet Booster zeener diode question

[gnugear]

I can't find a 9.1v diode ... but I can find a 5.1v and a 12v diode at my local radio shack. Can I substitute, or is there some harm that I can cause?

[Peter Snowberg]

The zener is just a drain for static electricity so a wide range of values will work fine. I would go with the 12V units.

[gnugear]

I've got two so could I just double them up?

Not sure if a diode is like a cap or a resistor when piggybacked.

[petemoore]

The 5.1v won't work.
 I used a 12v.

[idiot savant]

a regular LED would work too
http://runoffgroove.com/peppermill.html

[amz-fx]

but I can find a 5.1v and a 12v diode at my local radio shack. Can I substitute, or is there some harm that I can cause?

The 12v is the next best replacement of the ones you mentioned, though the 5.1v would be acceptable.  The LED is really unsuitable since it will only provide protection for one polarity of input.

regards, Jack