lm 2576 or lm2678 for step down psu? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: little_carlos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2016, 05:45:42 pm
content: hello guys, im going to make a 1.2 to 24v 3 amp psu and I have available near my area an electronics shop that sells both ics, which one should i pick? the lm2678 its more expensive(around 10 dollars us) and the lm2576 is half the price, ive read the datasheet of the 2678 and it says it can be up to 92% efficient, the lm2576 doesnt give that info, just says "high efficient"also, ive noticed that the lm2678 requires a few extra components and a few extra details to take care aboutwhats your opinion?and please dont tell me to use other ics, since those are the best i can pick at the moment

author: michaeliv
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2016, 06:36:04 pm
content: Personally I would go for the lm2678 just to have a little extra headroom. The lm2576 is exactly 3A. So if you actually plan on using it continuously at 3A, go for the lm2678. If not, the other would do just fine.I doubt that efficiency is any better - I can't find efficiency info for the lm2678 adjustable version. For the lm2576 there's an efficiency graph.

author: little_carlos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2016, 06:47:12 pm
content: Quote from: michaeliv on February 23, 2016, 06:36:04 pmthanks man, the 3A its the max value, i would push the transformer up to that for a long time, more like 2.5A continously at the max situationi think il go for the lm2576 since its cheaper and the efficiency is theorically the same

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2016, 07:11:55 pm
content: I would go with neither, especially at ten dollars.You can find ready made boards that do what you want, with chinese clones of LM2576 or LM2596 for 2-3$ and free shipping included, here's just one example:http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-DC-Buck-Step-Down-Converter-Module-LM2596-Voltage-Regulator-Led-Voltmeter-/160995621268?hash=item257c163994:g:uUsAAMXQQQZRyqOIRegarding efficiency, carefully read the datasheets for such chips. Even though you can make an "Adjustable" power supply out of these chips, in real world you're more or less supposed to know the input voltage range (for example 18-26v DC) , the output voltage (for example 12v) and approximate current output (for example 2A) your device will consume and pick parts like inductors and diodes to match these parameters. The inductor that would get you 24v in, 12v out at 2A with let's say 90% efficiency won't be the best inductor to get 12v in , 5v out at 3A , same for the diodes... boards like the one above will have some average inductors and diodes that will get you average efficiency on the whole range of output.Anyway, there are much better switching regulator ICs out there, if you're willing to pay $10 for a chip at the local shop you could just order one from various distributors like Digikey or Mouser or Newark / Farnell or TME.eu (both in Europe), the shipping is usually less than around 5 dollars/euroSee for example ROHM BD9781 , you have in the datasheet at page 9 and 10 some detailed description of how to choose the other parts around the chip and example circuit :http://uk.farnell.com/rohm/bd9781hfp-tr/dc-dc-conv-buck-adj-o-p-500khz/dp/2420830It can still be soldered easily on a prototyping board (though since it runs at higher frequencies like 500kHz compared to LM25** 60-100kHz it should really be soldered with the inductor and diodes on a proper pcb)Another better IC and easier to work with (TO-220 like the LM25** ICs which makes it easy to play with on prototyping board) would be MIC4576 (page 5 of datasheet shows circuit example with adjustable output) :http://uk.farnell.com/microchip/mic4576wt/dc-dc-conv-buck-200khz-to-220/dp/2510163later edit :and as datasheet says, micrel's application note 14 explains in detail how to choose components to get the best out of the regulator chip :http://www.micrel.com/_PDF/App-Notes/an-14.pdfYou should be able to find these ICs at US distributors and in the case of MIC4576 you may even be able to request a sample from Microchip or order from Microchip's website.