Interesting mod for spektrum transmitters

[BrianG]

The regulator replacement looks like a pretty straightforward and simple mod to do. Although, since the existing regulator can't be producing much heat due to how it's mounted/cooled, I wonder exactly how much of a benefit it provides? Going from a linear regulator to switching only makes sense if the combination of voltage differential X current is more than the losses (~15%) from any switching regulator. Doubling the battery runtime means that the existing linear regulator must be losing quite a bit of energy as heat, and I would think that would be noticeable in such a small area.

On a side note, the DE device is pretty sweet. It has the same pinout as your typical LM78xx series linear regulators so they are drop-in replacements. Current rating, drop out voltage, and voltage differential ratings are pretty close between the linear and switching counterparts too.