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Topic starter
2022-04-03 9:07 pm
Hello all,
I am currently working on a project that requires several different voltages. I am using a 12v/3A power supply, but I also need to power a Raspberry Pi & Arduino Nano with 5v. I have 2 types of buck converters here, the LM2596 and Mini 360. I am wondering which of these would be the most efficient and produce the least amount of heat? I should also mention that size is not an issue. I am more concerned with heat & efficiency. Any help would be greatly appreciated, I am still a beginner to electronics. Thanks,
Tommy
2022-04-03 9:14 pm
@kyosho_tom I have used LM2596 in my RV to convert 12V to 5V a few times. No noticeable heat. I can't get (out of stock) any Mini360's to try but I assume they will be similar. I always keep a heat gun (like the kind for reading tires) handy to check.
Arduino says and I agree, in general, the const keyword is preferred for defining constants and should be used instead of #define
"Never wrestle with a pig....the pig loves it and you end up covered in mud..." anon
My experience hours are >75,000 and I stopped counting in 2004.
Major Languages - 360 Macro Assembler, Intel Assembler, PLI/1, Pascal, C plus numerous job control and scripting
Kyosho_Tom reacted
2022-04-04 7:00 pm
@Kyosho_Tom - I am definitely a beginner myself, but have found Bill's article and video to be very helpful. I've returned to it several times to remind myself what converters might be suitable for a given project:
Powering Your Electronics Projects – Voltage Regulators and Converters
This helps a lot. In addition, for the ESP32-CAM Robot Car project, I used an LM2596. There was no excess heat. Granted, that project was just 2x18650 battery, or 7.4 V max, but the LM2596 should handle it.
To be honest, though, I would just test it, with some LEDs, or with an inexpensive Arduino Nano clone. I have received a great deal of help and good advice from this forum, but I also just like to prove things to myself.
Good luck! jBo
P.S. When I somehow wired a converter backwards, it did indeed create a great deal of heat, very fast. I am confident this is not what we are discussing, and we shall never mention it again.
In theory, theory and practice are the same.
In practice, they're different.
Kyosho_Tom reacted
2022-04-04 9:29 pm
@jbo @Kyosho_Tom I too was thinking it might be backwards, it is labelled on the board in fairly small print.
Arduino says and I agree, in general, the const keyword is preferred for defining constants and should be used instead of #define
"Never wrestle with a pig....the pig loves it and you end up covered in mud..." anon
My experience hours are >75,000 and I stopped counting in 2004.
Major Languages - 360 Macro Assembler, Intel Assembler, PLI/1, Pascal, C plus numerous job control and scripting
Topic starter
2022-04-05 2:02 am
Thank you Guys for the input. I just love tinkering with electronics, I just wish I knew more about it (Or started at an earlier age) but it has been very satisfying so far. I decided to try the LM2596 over the Mini 360. Those Mini's are super tiny!!!
2022-04-05 2:29 am
@kyosho_tom I have used a few of the LM2596 modules, but would love to try some Mini 360's, the trouble is I can't find any to buy in Canada.
Arduino says and I agree, in general, the const keyword is preferred for defining constants and should be used instead of #define
"Never wrestle with a pig....the pig loves it and you end up covered in mud..." anon
My experience hours are >75,000 and I stopped counting in 2004.
Major Languages - 360 Macro Assembler, Intel Assembler, PLI/1, Pascal, C plus numerous job control and scripting
Topic starter
2022-04-05 10:44 pm
@zander I ordered mine from Aliexpress awhile ago. whenever I order from China I try to make it a decent sized order since it takes 4-6 weeks to arrive. You just can't beat the prices though. They all come from there any way, so if you are not in a hurry, its a great place to get them. I got 10x for $4.77 and free shipping!
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32614063352.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.0.0.21ef1802nGmiXK
2022-04-05 11:01 pm
@kyosho_tom Wow, that's a great price. I paid a little more but get them in a month instead of 8 weeks. It's cheaper to ship from China than to a place 20 miles from where I am and the China delivery uses our postal service too. Crazy.
Arduino says and I agree, in general, the const keyword is preferred for defining constants and should be used instead of #define
"Never wrestle with a pig....the pig loves it and you end up covered in mud..." anon
My experience hours are >75,000 and I stopped counting in 2004.
Major Languages - 360 Macro Assembler, Intel Assembler, PLI/1, Pascal, C plus numerous job control and scripting