Mike Mane wrote: > I might as well ask an electrical question myself. What is the cheapest > (or at least simplest) way to reduce the main tank's voltage X volts to > power small, intricate IC's, etc on a circuit that require <X volts? Is > there any way to reduce voltage like this without harming the circuit or > messing up the battery? Is resistance the answer?
The venerable "7805 Voltage Regulator" would be the weapon of choice, as described here: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062599 It also comes in other voltages, with "78XX" designations, where XX is the voltage. They come in 1A and 3A packages and can be used with little or no external components (depends on how hard you are using them). They are sold by the millions by every electronics supplier around the world. Hook up the input supply voltage (up to 35v) on Pin 1, Ground on Pin 2 and draw your regulated voltage from Pin 3. NOTE: Even with a voltage regulator, it is *NOT* recommended that you power logic circuits or receivers from the same battery used for motors drawing large currents. The large current/voltage spikes and the large amount of electrical noise generated by the motors can affect and/or destroy the logic circuits. Whenever possible, especially in combat vehicles of any kind (tanks, boats, etc), you should use a separate battery to drive logic circuits and receivers. That also allows you to power up the electronics and test things without the main battery supply turned on, an additional safety feature. You would still use a voltage regulator on the separate battery, allowing you to use any convenient battery voltage (not many 5v batteries to be found out there). Frank P. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You are currently subscribed to the "R/C Tank Combat" group. To post a message, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe, send email to [email protected] Visit the group at http://groups.google.com/group/rctankcombat -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
