> The question is what do you think if I just put a 4.7 zener in > between the Vdd and Vss? You'll need a series resistor too. It needs to be small enough to make the zener break down (otherwise the excessive Vin may get to the PIC and kill it), and large enough to limit current through the zener when/if it does break down Probably 5mA would be enough through the zener to keep it regulating, but you'd have to check its datasheet, and also have a think about how high the careless Vin might be to determine the resistor and zener wattage rating http://www.opamplabs.com/zenerreg.htm For example, enter 10 (volts in), 4.7 (zener voltage), 10 (mA load) and click Solve -> 265ohms 0.1W resistor, 0.1W zener -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist