I'm building a little 5v breadboard supply, and I bought LM2575-5 switcher.

However, I read somewhere that it won't operate very well on very low currents? Is that true? If yes, could that be fixed by adding a minimum load?

Is this 52kHz switcher good (stable, low ripple) enough for powering micro controllers and digital stuff anyway?

 

I don't see anything in the data sheet about minimum load, but 5 or 10 ma. might not hurt. Seems you could run a lot of logic with an amp.

 

I'm building a little 5v breadboard supply, and I bought LM2575-5 switcher.

However, I read somewhere that it won't operate very well on very low currents? Is that true? If yes, could that be fixed by adding a minimum load?

Is this 52kHz switcher good (stable, low ripple) enough for powering micro controllers and digital stuff anyway?

It will have no problem at light load or no load. It may be dropping pulses so you might hear some noise. may be a shade higher output voltage ripple at no load, but will regulate properly.

 

Add a LED (can be low current).

uC will often need additional filtering coil. But you don't need additional large capacitors, 1uF or so will do.

 

Thanks to all of you...

One more question, how is the ON/OFF pin (pin 5) used? Can I put a switch there to controll it?

 

Here's one I bought a few weeks ago:



http://www.ebay.com/itm/370803288721?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649


Works great, but not as much fun as building your own.

 

Here's one I bought a few weeks ago:



http://www.ebay.com/itm/370803288721?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649


Works great, but not as much fun as building your own.

I don't like the linear ones, plus I like to have fun B)