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Dimension Engineering 5V 1A Switching Regulator

Component
 
ViTek's picture
By ViTek
@ December 11, 2008

Related shop: 
Dimension Engineering
Price: 
$15 USD
Vendor's Description: 


I have yet to order one, but these things are amazing! They take a input voltage of any value between 6.3V-30VDC and it outputs a steady 5VDC at up to 1A of power! They have a larger price tag than a 7805, but uses less power by converting extra power into needed power, or what I like to call a watt converter, from 30VDC at x amps to 5vdc at up to 1 amp. Very efficient!  I would put a 3 pin PWM cable style connector on it so you can move it from robot to robot, afterall it is 15 dollars. Dropout is 1.3VDC, meaning you would have to get the input voltage 1.3VDC higher than the output voltage for any model of these LDO switching voltage regulators.

 

* FROM ROBOTSHOP.US *

 

• Steps voltages down to 5V more effeciently then normal LDO regulators
• Integrated decoupling capacitors

The DE-SW0XX family of switch mode voltage regulators are designed to be the easiest possible way to add the benefits of switch-mode power to a new or existing project. A Dimension Engineering 5V 1A Switching Voltage Regulator will allow you to take a higher voltage and it step down a 5V output in a compact, efficient manner. This product is pin-compatible with the common 78XX family of linear voltage regulators. They have integrated decoupling capacitors, so external capacitors are not generally necessary.

Performance:

Up to 30V input range
83% typical efficiency, up to 87%
<2% ripple
1A output (continuous)
1.25A peak output (1 min)
1.3V typical dropout voltage at full load
Can be put in parallel

Applications:
Battery powered applications
Robots
Point of load voltage regulation
Any application where a linear or LDO regulator is dissipating too much heat or a large heatsink is undesirable

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By daVinci
@ Sat, 2009-01-17 15:15
Futurlec has also very cheap switching regelators! There a bit bigger but a few dollars cheaper and can handle more current.
By iamdenteddisk
@ Fri, 2009-01-09 17:01
iamdenteddisk's picture

Hi guy's this seems to be a good componant for the forum, usfull for robotics design but shouldnt sombody post a schematic for use?

 I mean not all users of this board are EET graduates and they come here not only to find cool componants to use but to figure out how to use the devices to make hobby robots, that is what makes LMR usefull isnt it?, else its just bragging post.

iamdenteddisk@yahoo.com

 

 

By robologist
@ Fri, 2009-01-09 19:47
robologist's picture

It's not a bad thing to ask questions, or to ask about a component before purchasing, so that you don't wind up getting something you really don't need. It is also good to ask if you are not familiar with what a 7805 is or even what a regulator is to start with.

The answers are in the datasheet for the device, which was linked from the product page earlier in this thread.The last page gives a few example circuits. In most cases you can simply hook a voltage source to it on one side and expect a regulated 5 volts out the other, sharingground, to power micros and sensors needing that voltage.

The reason you might need this device is if you have a larger voltage to step down, say 12 volts, to bring to that 5 volts. If you try to use a 7805 linear regulator, a fair amount of excess heat may be generated depending on the current draw of what it is powering. A cheap $1 linear 7805 regulator would be best used with a 7 to 9 volt supply, a switching regulator like this one is better for bringing higher voltages down. And if you have a supply under 7 volts, even down to 5.5 or so, a $2 LM2940 might be best to use as a low drop out linear regulator. 

By OddBot
@ Fri, 2009-01-09 18:49
OddBot's picture
Why would you need a special schematic for this when it states that it is a direct replacement for a 7805. Looking at the front from left to right the pins will be input, ground, output. In fact all the information you need is on this component page including the fact that decoupling capacitors are incorporated in the unit.
By jklug80
@ Fri, 2009-01-09 18:35
jklug80's picture
Most people refer to the datasheet and if they are having problems they post specific questions. Most want to learn and ask questions when they are actually using the part. Asking how to use every part on the website and not using them doesn't help a lot. Some prefer to be spoonfed specific instructions and others prefer to tinker. If you have questions about how to hook up an item you have and are trying to use ask away and I guarantee someone will help.
By jgillick
@ Tue, 2008-12-16 05:12
jgillick's picture
I used that for a small project recently and it works great.  I especially love that the packaging has pin labels so you know vin, vout and ground without having to look at the specs.
By ViTek
@ Fri, 2008-12-12 02:46
ViTek's picture

found this table for gauge vs power transmission

 http://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm

 I will have to be careful about the 1A rating

By anachrocomputer
@ Thu, 2008-12-11 12:04
anachrocomputer's picture
If you do use a 3-pin "servo-type" connector for this, watch out for the current rating.  The regulator's pins are designed for soldering, and are probably tinned, not gold-plated.  A little servo connector might not be able to carry the full 1Amp output current without getting warm.  And if it does get warm, that implies a small voltage drop, too.
By gsandaya
@ Thu, 2008-12-11 07:05
gsandaya's picture

I've used that regulator before, and I like it.  They also have a 3.3V, and a variable output variant that you can adjust with a little trim pot thing on top.  Dimension Engineering also claims that you can put them in parallel in order to get more than 1A.  I haven't tried it yet, but it sounds like it could be useful.

 

Gabe

By ViTek
@ Thu, 2008-12-11 05:27
ViTek's picture
Oh, I see what I did I mistook the minimum input voltage for the dropout voltage. Thanks for that point out :)
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