How can I convert/reduce 18 volts DC to 6 volts DC (2 posts)
How can I convert/reduce 18 volts DC to 6 volts DC
2008-01-25 17:28:28
16 years ago I adapted a 9.6 volt Makita rechargeable battery to power a
portable radio. It's still going strong but I want to do the same thing to a new
6 volt radio using a Dewalt 18 volt battery.
Is there an easy (and not too expensive) way to reduce 18 to 6 volts DC?
Thanks for any help
Larry
Re: How can I convert/reduce 18 volts DC to 6 volts DC
2008-02-03 23:41:43
On Fri, 25 Jan 2008 10:28:28 -0500, Larry W wrote:
> 16 years ago I adapted a 9.6 volt Makita rechargeable battery to power a
> portable radio. It's still going strong but I want to do the same thing to a new
> 6 volt radio using a Dewalt 18 volt battery.
>
> Is there an easy (and not too expensive) way to reduce 18 to 6 volts DC?
>
> Thanks for any help
>
> Larry
If the radio would be happy with 5 volts, a 7805 regulator and two
capacitors will do it. If you need exactly 6 volts, a 723 is almost as
easy to use (it needs a pair of resistors or a potentiometer to set the
voltage). A linear regulator is inefficient in this application; the
regulator will have to dissipate twice as much power as the radio draws.
If that is significant, Google around for switching regulators.