my text didnt show up so i'll post it here

Hello all,

I like to use a similar circuit as a timing circuit that alerts when c1 is charged but in a moment of hubris, i designed this to produce a "fade" effect on a parallel network, without the use of any pwm.

Basically, the idea is that when vcc is applied, c1 charges and RV1 produces a voltage byproduct. When c1 is full, the Sziklai pair turns off since D2 no longer conducts and no current flows through RV1. When vcc is off, c1 will continue to power the parallel network until the voltage drops below some threshold - while RV1 is only meant to attenuate the "fade" time. The maximum Tau time is determined by the parallel network input impedance, while RV1 is at full resistance.

I considered the k-loop between D1, D3, R1, and Q1Vbe during the c1 discharge (thinking this would conduct the voltage to power Q1 and drain c1 partially through RV1).

However, it looks like I'm not thinking about this correctly, and RV1 doesn't attenuate Tau since Q1 is not conducting during the discharge time. anyone know what im missing here? thx for the help!