Al salaam a'alaykum Bob

01 Dec 03 09:41, Bob Lawrence wrote to David Drummond:

 BL>  I suspect that it takes 3A with the motors stalled, and settles
 BL> down to bugger all once the disc is loaded and spinning happily. If
 BL> that's the case, the battery load would be negligible and any sort of
 BL> 12-to-6V regulator would do the trick.

Yeah, that's what I reckon.

 BL>  If it were mine, I'd measure the actual load current for a start.

I'll get there. My little multimeter doesn't go to 3A so I've gotta look
for something else.

 BL>  If it really takes 3A when running, I'd tap into the battery and run
 BL> a special 6V lead for the DVD.

 BL>  If it only takes 3A on peak and settles down at 1A or so, I'd buy a
 BL> small heatsink and an LM350, wire the two resistors on the back, and
 BL> use it the way you use your little switch-mode supply at present.
 BL> It'll cost you $20 but it'll work first time and as you say, it'll
 BL> save you buggering around with extra wiring.

 BL>  If it takes 3A continuous and you decide on the LM350 option, you
 BL> will need a rather large heatsink (100mm square, with fins). With a
 BL> 150 AH battery, you don't have to worry about saving a few lousy 
 BL> amps.

150AH? I was sure I'd said 450AH..

It does seem like a lot but a few overcast days and it sure pulls down with
the  fridge running 24hrs.

Regards,
David

--- Msged/LNX TE 06 (pre)