diode choice for REV pol in a battery circuit

[petey twofinger]

i would like to use a diode for rev pol on a bass eq circuit , as i blew one up a while back by connecting it in reverse .

the unit will be powered by a 9 volt battery only . i did read the mosfet method but i do not have the part , i only have bs170 and bs250 here so ...

i have 1n4xxx and 1n581x diodes , i am at a bit of a loss as to should i go with series or parallel , i suppose parallel would be smartest , as this is to avoid accidentally trying to install the battery wrong , and that would be only momentary when it happens .

ideally i would prefer the diode to not fail or explode , if connected reverse momentarily ,  is there a way for me to determine this from the data sheet ?

i could go with series , but i am not sure if i would be reducing the battery life . when used in series do the diodes consume power ?

thanks !!

[thelonious]

I'd use a 1N581x in series if it were my circuit. That will drop a bit of voltage (maybe 0.3v?), but not as much as a 1N400x. Shouldn't affect battery life, AFAIK...

[duck_arse]

there is another protection scheme at geofex using an npn and pnp, might be workable. if you use the shunt reverse protection diode, it will conduct the current available from your battery, car battery or 9V, it won't care. to a point. either the battery gives up trying and dies, hot, or the diode gives up trying, melting globs of magic stuff, burning boards, going open, etc. that's if you're not quick.

[ubersam]

This: http://www.geofex.com/article_folders/mosswitch/mosswitch.htm

I'm using the Supertex VP3203N3 as mentioned in the article. There are other MOSFETs with lower R_DSON but in different form factors.

[duck_arse]

the alternative :

http://www.geofex.com/article_folders/cheapgoodprot.htm

[italianguy63]

I too use a 1N5817 in series on the back of my charge pumps.  Keeps them from getting blown up by voltage back-flow....  Protection is better in series, and the 1N581x has a smaller voltage drop.