Al salaam a'alaykum Brenton

17 Nov 03 22:51, Brenton wrote to All:

 >> I've been considering Bob's idea of the series regulator - the LM350 
 >> looks like it would do, and the component count is lower than the 
 >> switch-mode, with a simpler circuit.

 B> I agree that it would be simpler and much easier to build.  However, 
 B> you will pay for that with efficiency.  The real problem is that we don't 
 B> know how much current this thing _really_ draws.  While the plug-pack 
 B> supplied is rated at 3A, actual consumption might only be 2A during 
 B> start-up with an operating current of 1A or less.

Ah.

 >> What do you think (assuming the 6V idea doesn't work......)?

 B> If the battery tap doesn't work ( which it should ), the next easiest 
 B> thing ( from a construction point of view ) would be the LM350 style 
 B> regulator, but once again, I would tap it from the 4th battery in the line 
 B> which would be at about the 8V point.  This way you have less drop across 
 B> the LM350 and therefore will loose less in heat dissipation which is the 
 B> only way a linear regulator can dissipate the energy.

 B> The battery tap is a real no-brainer though.  Just make up a lead with 
 B> the right plug on it and test it, I'm sure it will work.

OK. It will be another couple of weeks before I go there again (the
weekender is 4 hours from here). I'll try to find a 6 volt source here and
test it on that....

Regards,
David

--- Msged/LNX TE 06 (pre)