> What else should I do to protect my PIC from this high power stuff? What are you doing with /mclr ? If enabled, I'd suggest some RC, for example 10k to Vcc, 100n to Vss, rather than tie it directly to Vcc. RC will help to filter out any noise that gets onto Vcc > Especially when I replace the 9V battery with a connection to +24V? It would be a good idea to add some series resistance before the 78L05, especially if you start drawing any amounts of 5V current If you're dropping 19V across the regulator (ie 24-5), then at 100mA output current that's 1.9W of heat to dissipate, which I'm sure exceeds the rating for the TO92 package. Reducing the 24V down to say 9V with a resistor will decrease the wattage in the regulator So assuming 50mA current required, that's 55mA into the regulator (including its quiescent) V = I * R (24-9) = 0.055 * R R = 272 ohms P = I * I * R P = 0.055 * 0.055 * 272 P = 0.8W => 270R @ 1W (minimum) resistor and the wattage in the regulator is reduced to < 0.25W -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist