USB 5V to 1.5V/ 3V Step Down Converter Circuit

This is a USB 5V to 1.5V/3V Step-Down Converter Circuit. It is used instead of a normal AA battery.

In the circuit, we use LM317 DC voltage Regulator. To reduce the 5V input voltage from USB Port to the 1.5V at 1.5A maximum output.

Even 3V output, this circuit can run well. Read below.

So, this circuit is simple, easy to builds and cheap.

How 5V to 1.5V converter circuit works

USB 5V to 1.5V Step Down Converter

When we use a Cheap MP3 Player (or all Small Appliances). Which uses only one 1.5V AA battery as its power supply.

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Using the battery is very wasteful.

If we take it to listen to music in the house. Or when the AA battery is suddenly low power. We cannot find another one.

But we have a USB port. It is a popular port anywhere have this.

So…

We can use this circuit to convert 5VDC to 1.5VDC. The power adapter is USB Battery Replacement. To convert USB ports 5V voltage down to 1.5V.

Look at a circuit.

I used a popular IC  – LM317.  They use only 3 parts, include R1 = 470 ohms, R2 = 100 ohms, and LM317-IC1 so very easy.

From the LM317 Regulators CALCULATOR ,

We can calculate output voltage:

Vout = Vref x {1+ (R2/R1)

  •  Vref = 1.25 Volts
  • Typically R1 is 220 ohms or 240 ohms as a datasheet,
    But now this is 470Ω.
  • The R2-resistors is 100Ω

Then we test it in the formula above:
Vout = 1.25 x {1+(100/470)}
= 1.52V (about 1.5 volts)

Or you can change two resistors below

VoutR1R2
1.47V470Ω82Ω
1.47V390Ω68Ω
1.51V330Ω68Ω
1.51V390Ω82Ω
1.52V 470Ω100Ω
1.53V390Ω82Ω
1.56V330Ω82Ω
1.57V270Ω68Ω

Learn: Resistor color code and how it works

Low noise filter

In real usage, you may add 0.01uF 50V ceramic across the output to reduce any transients or noise.

5V to 1.5V DC converter circuit

How to build

This cirucit is easy. You may not need use PCB. We can connect it directly. If your load use low current. You don’t need a heatsink. See below.

1.5V converter circuit without PCB

Also, you can test this circuit on the breadboad. See below. I measure the output voltage is 1.5V. It is good circuit.

USB to 1.5V converter circuit on breadboard

Related Circuits

We hope that friends will enjoy listening to music on this circuit.

5V to 3V Converter circuit

Not only that, If you want to use 3V output or even 2.4V to replace two 1.2V batteries.. Can we do it?

Here is a 5V to 3V Converter circuit using LM317.

We can change R1 and R2 to set circuit. See in the table below.

VoutR1R2
2.36V270Ω240Ω
2.4V240Ω220Ω
2.5V470Ω470Ω
2.96V270Ω390Ω
2.97V240Ω330Ω
3.03V330Ω470Ω
3.05V390Ω560Ω
3.06V270Ω390Ω
3.06V470Ω680Ω
3.08V150Ω220Ω

Then I test it with a white LED. It glows up. Next measure a voltage across it is 3.0V. This circuit worked.

Testing USB to 3V converter circuit on breadboad
Testing the circuit with a white LED.

Improved circuit

Sometimes, Loads consume a high current like 100mA. Makes the output is low voltage, 0.7V to 0.9V, and more ripple too.

We can reduce this problem by adding the electrolytic capacitors C2, and C3 at the input and output.

Look at the circuit below.
I use the 220µF 16V electrolytic capacitors. Or you can try 470µF or 100µF, the result is similar.

improve usb to 1.5V regulator circuit

This circuit works well, and has a few devices, so it’s very easy to build and very cheap. But it’s a disadvantage! It seems it is not effective at all, up to 50% of power is wasted as heat. MrCal said correctly.

3.7V to 2V DC to DC converter

I try to use a 3.7V battery as input. It makes the output voltage 2 volts.

As circuit below, We use R1 = 220Ω and R2 = 150Ω.

3.7V to 2V DC to DC converter using LM317
3.7V to 2V DC to DC converter using LM317

What should we do? Use MC34063 Step-down Switching regulator circuit

and How to increase more current for 34063 chip 5V 2A buck converter

However, I love LM317. It is so useful. Learn more:

If you made it completely please share it with us.

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27 thoughts on “USB 5V to 1.5V/ 3V Step Down Converter Circuit”

  1. I got this website from my pal who shared with me on the topic of this
    website and now this time I am browsing this web page and reading very informative
    content here.

    Reply
  2. HELP please, I’m trying to make this but since the loss of radio shack and maplins (places to ask questions) I’m getting totally lost as the places to buy components online are giving me way to many options. Its the resistors that are getting me confused, when I search for 220 and 100 ohms its asking me resistor type/ watt/… what am I looking for? thanks.

    Reply
    • Hello David p mison,
      Thanks for your visit. I am happy you like this circuit.
      What is output voltage rates?
      R1 = 220 ohms and R2 = 100 ohms right?

      In normal we can use 0.5 watts resistor.
      If the input voltage is 5V.

      Thanks again
      Apichet

      Reply
  3. Thank you for this post. It is really helpful. I know this IC can be regulated to 0volt on regulared PSU’s.
    There’s a way may someone tell me how to lower at 500mV?
    I really need 500mV for an Ohm meter based on arduino I working on.
    I wish I could have studied electronics instead of computers sciences.

    Reply
    • Hello MRCal,
      Thank you for your visit to my site.

      LM317 is a linear regulator IC. While it works, it will be hot.

      It has low efficiency. But it’s cheap and very easy to use.

      What do you think can be used instead of it?

      If using a switching IC. It will be more efficient.

      For LM317, I will try to find another way, to increase its efficiency.

      Reply

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