I had no idea my question on nanowatt technology would stimulate so much
discussion on voltage regulators. Byron, thanks a lot for your reply to
my original post. And everyone, thanks for teaching me about regulators.
I'm amazed at the quality and amount of technical discussion -- and I'm
glad of it, I'm learning a lot.

Bob Cochran


Byron A Jeff wrote:

> On Tue, Mar 16, 2004 at 07:50:16AM -0500, Anthony Toft wrote:
>
>>>Not stupid in the least. In fact a lot of novices brag about using low power
>>>parts with a battery. But further into the discussion you realize that they
>>>are using a linear regulator that's sucking down almost half the battery's
>>>power.
>>
>>So which are the better regulators to use? As a non EE I generally stick
>>to what I know, and I have used the 78l05 in my project, but if that's
>>not the best (and it strongly sounds like it) I would like to educate
>>myself in the better devices.
>
>
> Actually it's better type of device for the application. First off if the
> application is line connected, then the 78LXX parts are fine. They do have
> high quiescent current consumption and require nearly 3V of headroom but...
>
>
>>The thing I like with the 'l05 is that it works great with a handful of
>>caps, in a 'cookbook' solution, if I want 12v just use the 'l12.
>
>
> Which is why everyone uses them. Cheap and plentiful (i.e. it passes the
> RatShack test) are reasons for using them too.
>
>
>>Are
>>there other devices with similar recipe solutions, I'd like something
>>that's in the manner of do this, do that and feed volts in here and get
>>smooth volts out there.
>
>
> I think you missed my point. The 78LXX parts are fine for some applications.
> However linear regulators will burn through any power budgeted applications
> like a battery based one.
>
> For that type of application you need a switcher. National's Simple Switcher
> series is about as simple as it gets: Regulator, inductor, catch diode, and
> low ESR filter cap. Check out the LN2574 and it's similar members.
>
>
>>I don't really need the recipe as I realize the datasheets are out
>>there, but which datasheets should I read and why.
>
>
> Hope this helps,
>
> BAJ
>
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>

--
Bob Cochran
Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
http://greenbeltcomputer.biz/

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