charge pump regulators vs linear regulators

[szhang]

Hello,

I'm using 3.3V dsPICs (and 3.3V bluetooth modules) on my current project, and normally I would just go with a cheap linear regulator.  However battery pack is 12V and the 8.7V voltage drop across the regulator means alot of lost energy (and heat), so I'm looking into switching regulators/charge pumps.

I am wondering if anyone used stepdown charge pump regulators, and how good are they compared to linear regulators.

Thanks.

[paulstreats]

try these switching regulators http://www.trossenrobotics.com/store/p/5163-3-3V-1A-Switching-voltage-regulator.aspx Their pin system is similar to a normal linear regulator.

If you are looking at a large voltage drop like yours then i dont think you have much chance of using a linear regulator, Its true that the more energy is wasted by the regulator then the hotter it gets. Which means that it will automatically turn off when it reaches a certain temperature to stop itself from burning out. Switching regulators or buck/boost regulators dont have this problem.