LM317

Question about LM317's

I have recently been having ALOT of trouble with my DIY. I think its the solder, cause everything else has been replaced or tested. However, I am going to replace the LM317 YET AGAIN to make sure thats not the problem. I want to make a completely solderless circuit. But this LM317 says that "it is designed to supply more than 1.5 Amps of load current"

does this mean that I shouldn't get it for my 420mA DIY cause the LM317 should be used with OVER 1.5A? Or could I use it....

I get confused with some electronics lol

http://cgi.ebay.com/10pcs-LM317T-1-5...QQcmdZViewItem

if you go down a little on the page, there is a link for the full specs of the component

An LM317 is very happy at 200 mA !! I thought it was 1 AMP Maximum. You should be ok with what you are doing if in the 1 amp range. Solderless?? I don't like the sound of that.

Mike

well, on a breadboard. I was just saying solderless because I'm trying to confirm that it IS the solder joints that are the problem with my circuit.

but thanks for the help, I've had several people now tell me that LM317's are generally for less than 1 AMP and such

the LM317 can handle currents of 1.5 amps or even more with a good sized heatsink

The capacity of the LM317 depends on its voltage drop x current. That = watts.
May need heatsink.

Mike