Low Voltage Enable with Latch

[LukeKnepp]

Here is my complete circuit

Circuit in LTspice -

ENABLE node voltage is green, input is blue, Q2 base-emitter voltage is red.

The overshoot when C1 starts up the circuit causes too much bas-emitter voltage and fries Q2…
I can lessen C1 to reduce overshoot, but then the circuit does not consistently start up…

I can put a Zener diode on the ENABLE node and everything looks good in this simulation, but if I speed it up, the Zener is not fast enough to save Q2...

Any suggestions or is this just not a good circuit for what I’m trying to do?

 

[crutschow]

is this just not a good circuit for what I’m trying to do?

And what are you trying to do?

 

[rjenkinsgb]

Your two-transistor arrangement is pretty much emulating a thyristor - when conduction starts, both device immediately turn on to saturation - or destruction, if the available current is high enough.

Add resistors directly in series with each base to limit the base currents??