Prefered: Undervolt or Overvolt a circuit?

[sharpbiohazard]

I have just finished building a color organ circuit from canakit.com http://www.canakit.com/3-channel-ac-colour-organ-kit-ck185-uk185.html

The kit calls for a regulated 12v DC supply in order to power the functions on the board. I have found an unregulated 12v@200mA DC supply and have built the common LM317 voltage regulator circuit to keep it under control. The kit pulls around 100mA while operating.

My problem is-

I cannot get an exact 12v value out of the voltage regulator, based on the restrictions of common value resistors. I can either choose to go 11.8v, or 12.4 volts.

My question is-

What is better for the circuit? Provide it with a little more voltage, or a little less?

 

[john monks]

I would pick 11.8 volts.
If I am looking at the right part of the spec it says that a 9 volt source or a 12 volt source can be used.

 

[BobK]

You are also not likely to get more than 10V from an LM317 with input of 12V.

Bob

 

[sharpbiohazard]

You are also not likely to get more than 10V from an LM317 with input of 12V.

Bob

The supply is kicking out ~19v, since it is unregulated.

 

[BobK]

Okay, you might get by then with a current draw well below the rating of the power supply.

Bob