What regulator IC - very low dropout adjustable output 10-12V at = 3A

[ferrymanr]

I am looking for a very low dropout regulator. The regulated supply needs
to be 10-12V variable at 3A peak and 2A continuous load. As this is to run
from a 12V battery supply I am pushing my luck! I may just get away with
<0.5V dropout. Any suggestions please.

My (gel cell) battery is normally float charged at 13.8V and my feed is
protected by a hefty zener and fuse to absorb any spikes. However if wind
and sun fail the battery ouput could drop near 12V towards end of cycle.

Richard

 

[Lostgallifreyan]

I am looking for a very low dropout regulator. The regulated supply
needs to be 10-12V variable at 3A peak and 2A continuous load. As
this is to run from a 12V battery supply I am pushing my luck! I may
just get away with <0.5V dropout. Any suggestions please.

My (gel cell) battery is normally float charged at 13.8V and my feed
is protected by a hefty zener and fuse to absorb any spikes. However
if wind and sun fail the battery ouput could drop near 12V towards end
of cycle.

Richard

Power converter. They might cost more, but not too much as they're getting
to be standard parts now for use on 12 vehicle systems. They'll give you
reliable power at 12V even if the battery falls below 10V for any reason,
so long as it has enough current to provide the power. Conversion
efficiency is high too, much better than any linear regulator.

I don't know of a specific part number but maybe someone else who posts
here does. If you can't find one that's adjustable, you could still follow
it up with a cheap standard linear regulator, if the power converter puts
out 13.8V.