17 V linear voltage regulator

You'll need a low dropout regulator (LDO). check the usual suspects web sites (National, TI, Linear, Maxim, Zetec, On Semi, Fairchild, ST to name but a few).

Most give parametric search

You'll need Vin (max) > 26V (have some headroom), Vo-Vi

Thank you. I know what I'm looking for, and how it is called. I just wanted to know if someone is already using a suitable part that can recommend to me, especially one that can be easily obtained through distributors like Farnell, DigiKey, Amidata...

Ideally, it should be one with a PMOS pass transistor and a very low quiescent current (100 uA max). So far, not much luck with Farnell.

Best,

lp2951 or lp2950 from national should fit the bill, dil and soic versions available from farnell

National's page for this device at:

Cheers

PeteS

Thanks again to both of you. The ground pin current (approx 3 mA @ 60 mA) kills me. That's due to the PNP. I have to connect around 200 units in parallel, hanging on a 24 V bus, and I'm trying to minimize the losses. I must say, I'm quite amazed that I cannot find one with a PMOS pass transistor that works at these voltage levels.

Best,

Now I can be saying the biggest bull***t of my life:

what about the use of the schematic on the national page with the added pass mosfet ? you should be able to lowering the ground current at desidered level augmenting the 2K resistor on OUT pin

a bit of overkill, the IC and an external MOS, but if you don't have other solutions ....