--- ThePicMan <thepicman@infinito.it> wrote:

> 
> I was simply curious, and still am. ;)
> 
For parallelizing LM317 etc. the short answer is no. The reason being
is the devices are not perfectly matched and one will end up sourcing
more current than another causing failure because BJT devices conduct
better as they heat up. OR worse the two regulators will fight each
other sourcing and sinking current from one and into the other and burn
up quickly. As they said use a pass transistor controled by the
regulator instead as it will be able to handle the current and not have
the deadly current sharing problems. 

My personal favorite though is if you need a very well regulated supply
use a switching regulator as a preregulator then an LDO for the final
regulation. This can get you a very clean power supply without the heat
sinking.

Stephen

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