# Don't do what I just did! (a cautionary tale)

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/dont-do-what-i-just-did-a-cautionary-tale/82601>\
**Category:** Share Your Projects\
**Created:** [4 November 2023 13:28 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/dont-do-what-i-just-did-a-cautionary-tale/82601 "2023-11-04T13:28:57Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![dynamicdave](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/dynamicdave/32/96_2.png) [@dynamicdave](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/dynamicdave)\
**Post date:** [7 November 2023 10:59 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/dont-do-what-i-just-did-a-cautionary-tale/82601/21 "2023-11-07T10:59:31Z")

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Yes it was a linear voltage regulator - LD33CV or LD1117AV33.  
The Vin max (on the spec sheet) is 15V.

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**Author:** ![BarryMas](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/barrymas/32/38363_2.png) [@BarryMas](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/BarryMas)\
**Post date:** [7 November 2023 11:56 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/dont-do-what-i-just-did-a-cautionary-tale/82601/22 "2023-11-07T11:56:26Z")

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I kindly suggest to use a step-down converter instead of a linear voltage regulator 🙂

Going down with a LVR from 12 to 3V means 75% of the energy in the accu is dissipated in the LVR, meaning 75% goes out in the air as heat. The efficiency is then 25%.

A step-down or buck converter has a much higher efficiency.

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