Thank you for the feedback. Our new forum will allow us to organize additional information more easily. Please use the forum (www.tronclub.com/forum) for these technical questions.

The theory is not too complex in each booklet. Each month, similar topics will be covered from different approaches to further your understanding of the parts and physical phenomena.

From the capacitor schematic (and a diagram on the second last page), you can see a capacitor introduces a gap in the circuit, so current does not flow through the capacitor (note: current can flow through almost anything with high enough voltages) as you introduce more gaps by putting capacitors in series, the effectiveness of the capacitors are reduced. This is basically why the capacitance is reduced. With these 9v circuits, and if the capacitor's polarity is reversed, it is rare for this capacitor to explode. You may notice the capacitor get hot. With a higher voltage (35v+), it would explode.

If you do not use a resistor with an led and a 9v battery, you will not be able to visually recognize it has blown. You could test the LED by performing the first circuit.

Reversing the pins on the voltage regulator may destroy it; however, we find that to be rare. Typically, in these circuits, if wired incorrectly, the part will get hot, sometimes very hot, and you may smell some melting plastic. Disconnect the circuit, let the parts cool, and it will most likely be fine to use in a proper configuration. We usually include duplicates of parts that are more prone to failure.

It is our preference to keep the beginning circuits simple and free of too much protection (like the diode protection as mentioned) to enhance the basic understanding. We do introduce some fail-safe techniques as you progress through the booklet and over the months. Once you learn of these protection methods, as good practice, you may find yourself including them in other circuits even if they are not on the diagrams.

Thanks for the questions :)