What you can do is upgrade the LM317 design for a more substantial one
using an LM338, adjustable with 5A capability. I have built 100's (yes
100's) of units using this device for student bench supplies and have
had less than a dozen returned with blown regulators. At full current
and max Vin to Vout differential you will need a substantial heatsink.

Good luck.

PS: Check out the NatSemi WWW site fo more app data.

Nino Benci.

Robert B. wrote:

> I'm getting pretty sick of my LM317 adjustable power supply I cobbled
> together when I first started with PICS, and am getting the urge for
> something a bit more substantial (read "more than 100mA output.  I don't
> have much $ to blow on a fancy lab bench supply, and I really only need
> +5,+12 volts.  What do most of you guys use as a basic power supply for
> cheap?
>
> --
> http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic:
> [PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads

--
------------------------------------------------------
| Antonio (Nino) L. Benci                            |
| Professional Officer, Electronic Services          |
| School of Physics & Materials Engineering          |
| Monash University                                  |
| email: electronic.services@spme.monash.edu.au      |
| T: 61 3 9905 3649. F: 61 3 9905 3637               |
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