> > > How do the transistors get biased on?Given asymmetries in the values = of > components and in the gain of the > > transistors, one transistor would conduct first and keep the other's > > base starved from current, until the capacitor to the base of the first > > transistor charges and its base current stops. > > > > Just perhaps it could work with careful choice of components values. >=20 > Or careless ;-). >=20 > For either base to get to say 0.5V there needs to be 50uA leakage > through the caps. > (9V - 2V LED) =3D 7V. > 7V divided 6.5V/ 0.5V. Cap/Resistor. > I =3D V/R =3D 0.5/10k =3D 50 uA. >=20 > Good quality 85 C std caps tend not to work. > Junk may. >=20 It's not leakage. Just how a capacitor works. When current goes into one le= g it=20 goes out of the other. When it does the voltage over the dielectric also ri= ses=20 more and more until it prohibits any more current flowing (causing the=20 capacitor charge/discharge curve). No electrons are actually moved from one= =20 side to the other though (electrostatic repelling forces of charges of equa= l=20 polarity). You can compare a capacitor in an electric circuit with a barrel with a=20 flexible water tight membrane in the center (dividing the barrel in two par= ts)=20 in a water flowing circuit. When water pushes in on one side, the membrane= =20 flexes at the same time as water is pushed out on the other side. The membr= ane=20 flexes as much as the water pressure allows. To high pressure and the membr= ane=20 breakes causing a short. It is also the membrane that holds the energy in t= he=20 barrel, allowing it to push back water when the pressure is lowered. Also, = the=20 more flexed the membrane is, the more work is needed to flex it even more. At least, that's how I picture the inner workings of a capacitor.=20 =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D Ruben J=F6nsson AB Liros Electronic Box 9124 200 39 Malm=F6 Sweden www.liros.se Tel +46 40142078 =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D --=20 http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .