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ginge · Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 12:32 am Post subject: Switched mode regulator

I just came across this handy little device. It replaces a standard linear regulator with a switched mode regulator. They estimate that it can cut wasted power by up to 50%.

http://www.dimensionengineering.com/DE-SW033.htm

It is a little pricey at $15, but it could be worth it for those of us running from batteries.

Barry
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SOI Sentinel · Joined: 30 Mar 2006 Posts: 44

Saw that myself through Hack-a-day's coverage of the instructable. It's a nice idea, definitely, and small. Looks to be a bit better form factor than TI's POL switchers for refits of 78XX parts. I wonder about noise and output ripple performance versus linears, however.

For those who don't know, linear regulators generally have an efficiency = (Vout/Vin)%. Switchers can be made to do that at up to 96% , but wide range inputs can drop this down to around 75%. You also loose input range when you try to support higher amp loads.

TI, however, has several in that price range that are significantly more powerful for DIY boards. They sacrifice wide input for higher efficiency. For instance...

http://focus.ti.com/docs/prod/folders/print/pth08t241w.html

"11DIP" module that provides a 10A 3.3V output from 5.5 to 14V input.