Simple d.c. to d.c. converter

To keep the converter simple, it contains no preset controls, which means that the level of the output voltage is dependent to some degree on the load. In theory, the output level is twice the level of the input voltage, but, owing to losses in the converter, that level cannot be attained. The main lasses occur at the semiconductor junctions of the transistors and the rectifier diodes. Since the drop at these junctions is constant at about 0.6 V, the losses are proportionally larger with an input voltage of 6 V than with one of 18 V.