I submitted the schematic and parts list to engineering company that is going to look at producing the circuit board that I'll retrofit into some units and eventually into our own in house brand. Here's what they had to say about the design.
Estimated Lifespan of the Energizer (Engineer’s Assessment)
After reviewing the schematic, layout, and the specific components selected for this energizer design, I can give a realistic estimate of how long the unit should last under normal operating conditions.
This design uses high-quality, oversized components throughout the entire circuit. These parts are intentionally rated far above what the energizer will ever demand from them. That extra overhead means the components are never being pushed hard, which dramatically increases long-term reliability.
Because of this design approach:
Typical lifespan: 15–20 years
Best-case lifespan: 20–25+ years, especially when kept in a clean, dry location with good lightning protection
Why it will so long...
The main pulse capacitor is a premium film capacitor that operates well below its voltage and current limits.
The multiplier capacitors and diodes are name-brand, high-voltage film and fast-recovery components designed for decades of service.
The SCR is heavily oversized for this joule rating, so it experiences very little stress.
The output transformer (especially if using a Pakton design) is built for long-term field use.
The pulse rate is slow (roughly once every 1.3 seconds), which keeps component heating extremely low.
Why the construction style matters...
This board is 100% through-hole, which is almost unheard of in modern consumer electronics. Most electronics today use tiny surface-mount parts that are harder to cool, harder to repair, and often not designed for long-term survivability.
Using through-hole components gives several major advantages:
They tolerate heat and high-energy pulses better
They handle vibration and mechanical stress far better
They allow actual long-term serviceability and repairs, as individual parts can be replaced without specialized equipment
Even after 10 or 15 years, nearly every component on the board can still be replaced if it’s not lightning-damaged
This is an old-school approach to building an energizer, but it’s the right approach for durability. It costs more to produce, but the payoff is a board that is strong, reliable, and repairable decades later.
Bottom line evaluation...
Because the components are oversized, conservatively used, and mounted using robust through-hole construction, a properly installed energizer built from this design should easily last many years — often multiple decades — before any major component shows wear, as long as it isn’t damaged by lightning or severe surges.
Fencer Fixer Repair LLC.
I submitted the schematic and parts list to engineering company that is going to look at producing the circuit board that I'll retrofit into some units and eventually into our own in house brand. Here's what they had to say about the design.
Estimated Lifespan of the Energizer (Engineer’s Assessment)
After reviewing the schematic, layout, and the specific components selected for this energizer design, I can give a realistic estimate of how long the unit should last under normal operating conditions.
This design uses high-quality, oversized components throughout the entire circuit. These parts are intentionally rated far above what the energizer will ever demand from them. That extra overhead means the components are never being pushed hard, which dramatically increases long-term reliability.
Because of this design approach:
Typical lifespan:
15–20 years
Best-case lifespan:
20–25+ years, especially when kept in a clean, dry location with good lightning protection
Why it will so long...
The main pulse capacitor is a premium film capacitor that operates well below its voltage and current limits.
The multiplier capacitors and diodes are name-brand, high-voltage film and fast-recovery components designed for decades of service.
The SCR is heavily oversized for this joule rating, so it experiences very little stress.
The output transformer (especially if using a Pakton design) is built for long-term field use.
The pulse rate is slow (roughly once every 1.3 seconds), which keeps component heating extremely low.
Why the construction style matters...
This board is 100% through-hole, which is almost unheard of in modern consumer electronics. Most electronics today use tiny surface-mount parts that are harder to cool, harder to repair, and often not designed for long-term survivability.
Using through-hole components gives several major advantages:
They tolerate heat and high-energy pulses better
They handle vibration and mechanical stress far better
They allow actual long-term serviceability and repairs, as individual parts can be replaced without specialized equipment
Even after 10 or 15 years, nearly every component on the board can still be replaced if it’s not lightning-damaged
This is an old-school approach to building an energizer, but it’s the right approach for durability. It costs more to produce, but the payoff is a board that is strong, reliable, and repairable decades later.
Bottom line evaluation...
Because the components are oversized, conservatively used, and mounted using robust through-hole construction, a properly installed energizer built from this design should easily last many years — often multiple decades — before any major component shows wear, as long as it isn’t damaged by lightning or severe surges.
1 month ago | [YT] | 19