brownt
Member level 3
I have a AMS1117 5 volt regulator powering a system that draws about 90mA.
The only option for input to the regulator is a 12V plug pack. The regulator is good for input voltage up to 15 volts, but the drop across the regulator is creating a lot of heat. Too hot to touch. The regulator is mounted on a small PCB with a copper pad that acts as a small heatsink.
I have put three 1N4001 diodes in series with the supply, dropping it to 9.9 volts, and the heat on the regulator is OK.
Is there a problem with dropping the voltage that way? Or is there a better solution given the circumstances.
The only option for input to the regulator is a 12V plug pack. The regulator is good for input voltage up to 15 volts, but the drop across the regulator is creating a lot of heat. Too hot to touch. The regulator is mounted on a small PCB with a copper pad that acts as a small heatsink.
I have put three 1N4001 diodes in series with the supply, dropping it to 9.9 volts, and the heat on the regulator is OK.
Is there a problem with dropping the voltage that way? Or is there a better solution given the circumstances.