# Electronic – Will this circuit work

power supply

I'm trying to convert mains AC to DC while dissipating as little heat as possible. Some ripple is tolerable if it cuts down on heat so I'm not sure if I need the regulator. I also don't know how well the values I've chosen for the various components will work together. Perhaps there's even a much easier way to go about it.

Finding parts is another concern. For instance, can a 22 volt regulator can even be bought?

Here's the circuit diagram:

Peak input voltage is \$\sqrt2 * 18\$ minus diode losses (~1.5 volts), so about 24 volts. So if your regulator works with 2V or less of dropout, you will be OK. (This is kind of a tight dropout spec, not impossible, but not every regulator you find will be OK. Micrel MIC29303 appears to be OK.)
Now, how much current can you draw? Assuming 60 cycle power, let's say we can allow the supply to droop 1V in the 1/120 seconds between voltage peaks. Then the voltage regulator will have 1 volt headroom. \$I = C * {dv\over dt}\$ so if \${dv\over dt}\$ is \$1\over1/120\$, then \$I = 120 * C\$. For a current of 0.5A, then, choose C of about 4000 μF.