/diy/ - Do It Yourself

>>2553842
I'm smarter than this, but my question is probably almost as naive
>>2553850
>>2553853
>>2555013
It's my understanding that the AMS1117 requires input and output capacitors, but that the input may be omitted depending on distance to a regulated source. Does anyone know what counts as "close" in this instance? Also, why can't I omit both? I tested a variable load drawing about 80ma for an extended period of time without any caps and had no issues.
>nb4 read the datasheet
It doesn't explicitly tell me what the output capacitor is supposedly protecting me from. Is it ripple? What's the worst that could happen?