Lower Voltage ?

[plasticjoe]

I have an application where I want to step down the voltage on an item... I am starting at 7.4 volts and want to get to about 6 volts... basically drop about 2-3 volts.... without burning off alot of power doing so. I am a total DIY Newbie... so simple solutions ? LOL :)

[Cborrow]

Voltage Regulator is going to be a good choice, at least with limited experince that is what I would use, someone may have something better but that is the most logical choice for me.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voltage_regulator
http://www.newark.com/jsp/search/browse.jsp;jsessionid=XIG3R1OR205JKCXDUZ1G2WQ?N=10 00191+161958&_requestid=112126

[Zlatko]

Hi,

Depending on your required current draw and if the 7.4V supply is stable ...
http://www.dimensionengineering.com/DE-SWADJ.htm or
http://www.dimensionengineering.com/ParkBEC6v.htm but its not compatible with 2S LiPo ( 7.4V ? )
I guess, if you are trying to get 6V from 2S LiPo then its going to be hard ... perhaps
http://www.dimensionengineering.com/AnyVoltMicro.htm if you don't need more than 0.5A .

No, I don't work for them ... just happily use their products.

Cheers

[dleroi]

I have an application where I want to step down the voltage on an item... I am starting at 7.4 volts and want to get to about 6 volts... basically drop about 2-3 volts.... without burning off alot of power doing so. I am a total DIY Newbie... so simple solutions ? LOL :)

For simplicity, two diodes in series should get you down to 6 volts from 7.4 volts. If the 7.4 volts is regulated, the 6 volts will be relatively stable, otherwise it will follow the 7.4 volts down.

[plasticjoe]

dleroi,

I was cruising though Radio Shack's website looking at Diodes... there seems to be many kinds to choose from.... the AMP draw on the unit is 1 AMP / hr.... so I would assume that one around that rating ? As I said... I am a DIY newbie. Would I solder those inline in the power wires ?

[dleroi]

Joe,

I sent a PM, but I'll repeat it here, in case anyone wants to chime in:

I would go with a 3 amp silicon diode, like a 1N5400 thru 1N5408. Radio Shack has a couple. I think their 276-1143 is a 1N5402. The last 2 numbers indicate the voltage. A 1N5400 has a 50 volt rating, 1N5401 is 100, 1N5402 is 200, etc. The voltage rating is the maximum voltage they can handle, so any of them will work for what you want.

There are others types that will work, too. Just make sure they are silicone. Silicone diodes drop .7 volts when they are conducting, so if you want to go lower, just add more in series with your battery. Realize, though, that this is wasted energy - not much - but, each diode is disipating .7 watts if it's conducting an amp of current. On GP, I would check to see how hot they get before putting them anywhere critical - wouldn't expect it to be a problem, though.

Also, they have polarity. The cathode is the negative side and is marked with a band. The other end is the anode. You want to connect the anode of one to the cathode of the other, then connect the free anode to the positive side of the battery and the free cathode to the positive side of whatever you are powering, or vice-versa. If you get them backwards, it won't hurt anything, it just won't work.

Of course, be careful anytime you work with lithium batteries not to short them out.

Good luck.


What are you powering, anyway?

- Don