Just For LM2596 Users

[matador]

Just curious how hot these boards get.. I found one on ebay with a big heat sink attached. Wondering if this is necessary or if its overkill.

LM2596 5A Buck DC Converter Adjustable Power Regulator | eBay

The size of this is 50 x 25 x 23 mm, so it makes it a little big for a practical sized mod but if heat is an issue then I might consider trying one.

 

[BJ43]

Just curious how hot these boards get.. I found one on ebay with a big heat sink attached. Wondering if this is necessary or if its overkill.

LM2596 5A Buck DC Converter Adjustable Power Regulator | eBay

The size of this is 50 x 25 x 23 mm, so it makes it a little big for a practical sized mod but if heat is an issue then I might consider trying one.

Overkill, I have at least ten in use and have never had a heat problem even at 6v vaping. They refer to a heat sink for 3 amps but that is for a constant 3 amp draw. We barely run them for more than 10 seconds at a time.

 

[lynch]

I've use these without a heatsink and without a problem, so do a lot
of posters on here. Plus only 2 bucks

LM2596 DC Step-Down Adjustable Converter Power Module | eBay

 

[matador]

I've use these without a heatsink and without a problem, so do a lot
of posters on here. Plus only 2 bucks

LM2596 DC Step-Down Adjustable Converter Power Module | eBay

I just put in an order for 4 of those. Its nice to have a drop in ready PCB. I've made several using the TI ptr08100 regulator and those are a lot of work to setup. I like simple.

Another question.... I know this thread is about the LM2596, but have any of you tried the DE-SWADJ3? There's a big price difference but it looks a lot smaller.

3A Adjustable step down switching voltage regulator

 

[BJ43]

The DE-SWADJ 3 is a Cadillac and the LM2596 the Chevrolet. Longer battery life as it is more efficient is the main benefit. I have one in a battery mod but hardly ever use batteries, 99% PT so the LM2596 works great for me and to spend $25 on each mod to get maybe an hour more of battery use is irrelevant to me.

 

[Robert T]

I have one in a 2 "C" box with 2 26500's. Works great!

Robert

I just put in an order for 4 of those. Its nice to have a drop in ready PCB. I've made several using the TI ptr08100 regulator and those are a lot of work to setup. I like simple.

Another question.... I know this thread is about the LM2596, but have any of you tried the DE-SWADJ3? There's a big price difference but it looks a lot smaller.

3A Adjustable step down switching voltage regulator

 

[matador]

I have one in a 2 "C" box with 2 26500's. Works great!

Robert

2 X 26500's and the SWADJ3 in a 2C box? How does that all fit?? I'd like to see it if you have pics.

 

[Robert T]

No pics yet but maybe I'll get some soon, it really wasn't that hard to do. The batt compartment fits fine, just have to use magnetic spacers for the IMR's and had to cut the little lips off the tabs on the lid since the batts are a tiny bit fatter than normal C's. There's a compartment on the end where the on/off switch is suppose to go and I gutted that a bit and had no problem getting a side mount horn switch, reg and connector in there.

Robert

 

[Quigsworth]

I'm with BJ on this one...the beauty of the 2596's is the price point (and it's tiny form factor)...at $25, that's an OKR 6T, nice trimmer, the nicest tact switch money can buy, and what the hell, throw in a meter and still have enough left over for a shave and a haircut in Maybury (50 yrs ago)...funny, you buy these 2596's in bulk so in case you pop one, you've got 5-6 spares...thing is, I've yet to pop one...and I abuse these poor little things with reckless abandon...you pop a $25 reg, that's gonna suck.

 

[Robert T]

Hey Quig, I'm not trying to get anyone to buy one. The question was asked and I answered. I almost didn't since BJ stated he just wanted to discuss LM2596.(sorry BJ) I don't think it would have fit my box. FYI the SW has a 1 year replacement, after that it's prorated. They upgraded my shipping for free and I got it in two days, also. So I have no regrets. If I were building a passthrough I would use a 2596 in a heartbeat after seeing BJ and Toms creations. I like all of your stuff, too.

Robert

 

[Quigsworth]

Hey Quig, I'm not trying to get anyone to buy one. The question was asked and I answered. I almost didn't since BJ stated he just wanted to discuss LM2596.(sorry BJ) I don't think it would have fit my box. FYI the SW has a 1 year replacement, after that it's prorated. They upgraded my shipping for free and I got it in two days, also. So I have no regrets. If I were building a passthrough I would use a 2596 in a heartbeat after seeing BJ and Toms creations. I like all of your stuff, too.

Robert

Robert, I wasn't slagging your alternative, not at all, in fact, I like seeing all the gear peeps have tried and hearing about it (both successful and not so successful builds)...that's what makes this forum great, I was only commenting on bang for the buck and in re-reading my post I forgot to mention one very important thing...like BJ, I use the 2596's in PT's (efficiency isn't a factor) and also could see how my response could have sounded flippant and dismissive...for this I apologize...no offence meant in the slightest brother...

Edit, I've actually never even tried to put a 2596 in a box...that'd take some doing

 

[Robert T]

No worries I was just letting you know I was answering the mans question, that's all.......

Robert

 

[TomCatt]

I've been using my ACDC (v2) for a while now. It's in a Radio Shack 4"x2"x1" box, has 2 14500s (Trustfires), a meter, AC jack, toggle switch, horn switch and the LM2596. I am about as far from an 'elegant' modder as you can get , and I didn't have much trouble getting everything in there.

I typically run on batteries at home. Using a ~3 ohm CE2, I usually go all day on the batteries on the weekends, just switch over to a charged set in the evening. I have, once or twice, run the batteries to the cut-off; but that's usually at 10 or 11 at night. (I typically vape 2-3 mLs a day.)

 

[Quigsworth]

I am about as far from an 'elegant' modder as you can get , and I didn't have much trouble getting everything in there.

What are you talking about TomCatt?, you could perform an appendectomy with a dremel

 

[TomCatt]

What are you talking about TomCatt?, you could perform an appendectomy with a dremel

Sure could ... as long as the patient didn't need a spleen, liver or 12 ft of intestine.

 

[Quigsworth]

 

[jhonutz]

for me lm2596 it`s history and it`s not about performance, it`s a big IC . A little SO8 package IC knock out this lm2596

PS: If I have bothered somebody, just simple ignore me

 

[Quigsworth]

It's got to be big jhonutz, like Buick Big...that's it's charm...any other chip would look pretty silly on something like this:



Which in itself looks pretty silly but that's besides the point

 

[TomCatt]

The main selling point for me with the LM2596 modules are just that, they are modules, everything all ready to go. For a novice to electronics this is very nice. If there are better modules out there, for even 3 or 4x the price, I'd give them a shot. But like was mentioned earlier, the SWADJ-3 is a bit too pricey (at least to me).

 

[SammyT]

How are you guys rigging up a knob for the POT screw? I can't figure it out.