In a previous post I suggested it might be alright to remove the diode 
between Vout and Vin of a regulator after testing.

That is a dumb idea.  I should re-read what I type before posting.  In my 
defense however I did recommend adding the diode in the first place...

Linear regulators really don't like Vout > Vin.  Spend the extra 25 cents 
and two diodes, one to keep Vout < Vin and another to rectify the voltage 
into the regulator so you don't accidentally hook up backwards.

But I do advocate testing and characterizing a circuit once built in an 
effort to identify sections that can be simplified.

Rob Young
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