Can someone explain this?

[captainpecan]

I was messing around with a circuit I'm working on, trying to figure all the losses as I'm designing it, and I came across something I do not understand. I simplified it down to find exactly where my losses are not adding up. Can someone explain to me why this scenario is happening:

I am using 2 identical capacitors purchased from radio shack. 4700uf 35v each and one 1N5397 diode. I am totally discharging 1 capacitor to 0 volts, and charging the other up with a 9 volt battery. I am very simply hooking them in series, and studying the losses as the two capacitors balance themselves out.  I am noticing something funny when I add the diode into the circuit.

First set of tests. Simply hooking the two capacitors together and balancing out the charge between the two.

No diode:
            C1          C2            Total       Loss
Test 1
Start    9.42v  +  0.00v   =   9.42v
Finish  4.66v  +  4.58v   =   9.24v      -.18v

Test 2
Start    9.43v  +  0.00v   =   9.43v
Finish  4.70v  +  4.58v   =   9.28v      -.15v

Test 3
Start    9.37v  +  0.00v   =   9.37v
Finish  4.66v  +  4.55v   =   9.21v      -.16v

                                 Average Loss  -.1633v

Now I did the exact same test, with the diode hooked in series.
With Diode:
           C1          C2           Total        Loss
Test 1
Start   9.39v  +  0.00v   =   9.39v
Finish 4.89v  +  4.37v   =   9.26v      -.13v
Test 2
Start   9.42v  +  0.00v   =   9.42v
Finish 4.90v  +  4.40v   =   9.30v      -.12v
Test 3
Start   9.40v  +  0.00v   =   9.40v
Finish 4.88v  +  4.39v   =   9.27v      -.13v

                                Average Loss   -.1267v

Now, why do I actually show LESS losses when I ADD another component into the circuit? That appears to be backwards. I do not understand why this is happening. So just to check, I eliminated the diode again for one more test...
No Diode:
Test 1 C1          C2            Total       Loss
Start   9.42v  +  0.00v   =   9.42v
Finish 4.65v  +  4.61v   =   9.26v      -.16v

Once again, I show more loss, with less components? Can anyone explain why this is happening? It makes no sense to me.

[captainpecan]

I again repeated the test, this time with a 1N4001 diode. There did not appear to be any change in losses with or without the diode in the circuit!

Now I'm really confused? I do not have another 1N5397 diode to see if I can repeat the earlier results with a new diode of the same type.

Still, the question stands. Why do I not see an increase in loss when adding a diode to the circuit? Even with the new 1N4001 I did not show an increase in losses?

[nievesoliveras]

Hi!

I dont know much electronics, but a diode and a capacitor is used to double the voltage.

Jesus

[nievesoliveras]

Hi!

Maybe this one is a little better to illustrate that diodes and capacitors are used to boost voltage.

Jesus

[captainpecan]

I'm not sure that explains what I'm seeing, but that's really good info to know. Thanks for posting that, I was not aware of it.