7805 replacement thingie

No, nor have I seen any literature or articles about them. Point me to a url for one of them if you would be so kind.

Jim

-- "It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." --Aristotle

We've used Datel's 7805SR in an application that required a large voltage swing (from peak charge voltage down to dead battery) and it was the answer to the build/buy question for some low production rate equipment. It just works.

Yup. You'll get some tones that you don't have with a linear part. Other than that they are quite good. TI PT5105 for example.

The parts you are thinking of are the Powertrends 3-pin SIP modules, now sold by TI. (What you and I would call "TO-220 compatible" they call "3-pin SIP"!) For example PT78HT205.

I've used them, but only in a "we're not going to lay out this PCB again" sense because of their priciness. They are actually bigger than a TO-220 but that's generally OK because they don't need heatsinking for the same voltage drop at current.

Tim.

Vibration may be an issue. According to my experience they won't survive a ride on a tank without extra support. The leads will break.

I'm also pretty sure if the tank drives over the switcher, the leads will break also. Although some testing may be required to be 100% sure.

And if it drives over a land mine, you'll probably have different things to worry about than the condition of your regulator leads! ;-)

Cheers! Rich

Yup. Most of them address mounting as an afterthought, or no thought at all. At least a 7805 has a tab with a hole in it.

John

Transport vibration can be enough. Seen lots of grief there, to the point where we'd remove the bottom fan assy and swipe the bottom with broom and shovel. Let's see, what have we here? Oh, looks like pieces of a toroid. Look, here's a crystal. And an electrolytic over there.

These look interesting:

Have Fun! Rich

I've used a lot of the +5 Powertrends. Pay close attention to the app notes. They often have have specific load requirements, like a zener or a low ESR ceramic. I think there are other brand available now.