7805 high output when connected to 12v input

Thread Starter

Big Sammy

Joined Jan 28, 2012
44
I'm trying to power an Arduino Nano using the 5v input. I'm using a ULN2003 to drive a 12v LED strip. I want to use the same 12v power supply to power both the Nano and the LED's. (I'm using a ATX computer power supply for prototyping purposes). When putting 12v on the Nano it seems to work for a bit, but then I get a flashing power led and it stops working. I put a 7805 (pin 1 left pin) 12v input, (pin 2 middle) ground, and (pin 3 output) on my multimeter, and I'm reading 11v on the output. I thought maybe it was a faulty module, so I tried a second one, and got similar results.
Any suggestions why I'm not getting the 5v output I'm expecting?

Thanks for any help!!
 

cmartinez

Joined Jan 17, 2007
8,759
I'm trying to power an Arduino Nano using the 5v input. I'm using a ULN2003 to drive a 12v LED strip. I want to use the same 12v power supply to power both the Nano and the LED's. (I'm using a ATX computer power supply for prototyping purposes). When putting 12v on the Nano it seems to work for a bit, but then I get a flashing power led and it stops working. I put a 7805 (pin 1 left pin) 12v input, (pin 2 middle) ground, and (pin 3 output) on my multimeter, and I'm reading 11v on the output. I thought maybe it was a faulty module, so I tried a second one, and got similar results.
Any suggestions why I'm not getting the 5v output I'm expecting?

Thanks for any help!!
Have you double checked the datasheet by the 7805 manufacturer? Are you sure it's properly oriented? Posts some pics and simple diagrams.
 

spinnaker

Joined Oct 29, 2009
7,830
I'm trying to power an Arduino Nano using the 5v input. I'm using a ULN2003 to drive a 12v LED strip. I want to use the same 12v power supply to power both the Nano and the LED's. (I'm using a ATX computer power supply for prototyping purposes). When putting 12v on the Nano it seems to work for a bit, but then I get a flashing power led and it stops working. I put a 7805 (pin 1 left pin) 12v input, (pin 2 middle) ground, and (pin 3 output) on my multimeter, and I'm reading 11v on the output. I thought maybe it was a faulty module, so I tried a second one, and got similar results.
Any suggestions why I'm not getting the 5v output I'm expecting?

Thanks for any help!!

It didn't happen without a schematic. ;) Please post on in png format.
 

WBahn

Joined Mar 31, 2012
32,823
You probably don't have enough of a load. The datasheet only specs the voltage regulation down to an output current of 5 mA. Try putting a 1 kΩ resistor between the output and ground and see what happens.
 

WBahn

Joined Mar 31, 2012
32,823
The 7805 requires a load. Do you have one?
While the datasheet doesn't spec the performance below 5 mA, there is no minimum output current given in the recommended operating conditions, which I think strongly implies that there is no load that is actually required. Still, if you run it below 5 mA you have no ground to stand on if it fails to regulate, even though it is reasonable to expect it to regulate well below that 5 mA level. But asking it to regulate with only half a microamp of load current (a 10 MΩ voltmeter input) is quite possibly asking a bit much. So putting a small load on the output is the low hanging fruit at this point.
 

spinnaker

Joined Oct 29, 2009
7,830
If you just need 5V then get yourself one of those USB wall chargers. If you really need 5V from say a 12V battery then buy a usb charger for a car. Your psu will run cooler and you will be able to move on with your project.
 

Thread Starter

Big Sammy

Joined Jan 28, 2012
44
If you just need 5V then get yourself one of those USB wall chargers. If you really need 5V from say a 12V battery then buy a usb charger for a car. Your psu will run cooler and you will be able to move on with your project.
If you just need 5V then get yourself one of those USB wall chargers. If you really need 5V from say a 12V battery then buy a usb charger for a car. Your psu will run cooler and you will be able to move on with your project.
Ok...to answer all questions...I think....
I put a 1K ohm resistor between ground and output....no difference...still outputti g 10.96v. Im using a 12v power supply to power a strip of LED's. I don't want to have two separate power supplies (one for lights, one for arduino). I want to regulate the 12v supply down to 5v without a second supply. I'll try to post a pic..
 

cmartinez

Joined Jan 17, 2007
8,759
Ok...to answer all questions...I think....
I put a 1K ohm resistor between ground and output....no difference...still outputti g 10.96v. Im using a 12v power supply to power a strip of LED's. I don't want to have two separate power supplies (one for lights, one for arduino). I want to regulate the 12v supply down to 5v without a second supply. I'll try to post a pic..
Is the 7805 hot? Have you touched it with your finger?
 

Thread Starter

Big Sammy

Joined Jan 28, 2012
44
In the first picture, it should show the red wire as the 12v input, the blue wire ground, and the yellow wire as output. I've put the 1K ohm resistor between ground and output. When putting my multimeter on it, still shows output of 10.96v.

The second picture is close up of the module...not sure it that is helpful or not!
 

spinnaker

Joined Oct 29, 2009
7,830
Where did you get said 7805s? If you got them from eBay there is a chance they are not 7805s at all. They could simply be resistors or pretty much anything else.
 

Thread Starter

Big Sammy

Joined Jan 28, 2012
44
Those are pictures. It is not a schematic. Pictures are very hard to see how you have things wired. Please post a schematic.
I don't have the 7805 wired to anything yet. There is no schematic, as there is no circuit yet. Just 12v into the 7805. I'm hoping to put the 7805 between a power supply and an Arduino Nano, to power it with the 5v from the 7805. The rest of the 12v will be going to the led strip.
Sorry, I'm not sure what I could give you in terms of a schematic...
 
Top