Which voltage regulator is better to use?

[kbtan]

I am trying to regulate voltage from solar panel to 12v. the maximum voltage of the solar panel is 18v and 0.6A. Which voltage regulator is better to use
LM317 or 7812.

 

[liteon]

Both LM317 and 7812 are linear voltage regulators.Both will do the job and may require decent size heat sink to dissipate the heat generated during regulation process.
I would use switching regulators instead of linear ones,like LM2576 they out perform linear ones in every aspect.
Try Google first,and you will tones of information about the voltage regulators of both types.

 

[kbtan]

Thk Sir. Is it better to use a switching regulator for battery charging??

 

[bigdogguru]

One of the major differences between switching and linear regulators is efficiency.

The efficiency of switching regulators typically ranges from 70% to 95% efficient, while linear regulators typically range from 14% to 40% efficient, where the majority of the balance of power loss is dissipated as heat.

When the source of the power in your case is solar panels, typically the most efficient means of regulation would be employed to conserve power and minimize heat generation, in other words a switching regulator.

BigDog