regulating a circuit
 

i have a glow start that i use to run model engines and it is plugged into a control panel with a built in regulator that regulates it to 2V from a 12V gel cell so it wont blow the glow plug

basically i want to bin the control panel and just have a glow start with a long leed connected to a 12v gel cell, question is can i buy a small regulator that i could wire into the circuit?

i went into maplins on my way home from work to ask if they had anything and they acted like i was speaking alien, but then again thats pretty much the norm for them

help much appreciated tar

Re: regulating a circuit
 

You didn't specify what you want the output of the regulator to be, so...

12V regulator: http://www.usblogger.com/Electronics..._Regulator.htm
Look for the LM values, and write a few down.

2V regulator: UA78L02A. EDIT: yes, that was from memory. :(

Take those back to maplin and shout at them in a very clear voice "GET ME ONE OF THESE. IF YOU NEED HELP FINDING IT, CALL THE TECH SUPPORT NUMBER IN WOMBWELL!"

(I used to work in a Maplin store).

Re: regulating a circuit
 

i've no idea baph im a noob, just want a 12v to 2v if that make sense?

Re: regulating a circuit
 

You want a 2v regulator then, maybe a variable resistor would be better though in case you get a gummed up plug that needs a couple more volts. Try an RC forum as IIRC it's pretty common to build your own power panel.

Re: regulating a circuit
 

i have got a number of power panels, just im sizing down my gear as i dont really do it much anymore

i've probably even got a 2v cel kicking about some were

Re: regulating a circuit
 

3v works alright too, what about just buying a glow driver?

Re: regulating a circuit
 

well the original plan was to hook it up to a lipo pack and strap them together, then if the lipo went flat and i didn't have my chargers i could plug it into a cel

Re: regulating a circuit
 

From the above, it seems that a regulator with 5v output would be ideal, then a potentiometer to reduce this output. The problem there being getting the voltage right, but I'd just hack a cheap DMM into the console.

The staff in Maplin should be able to sort that out, but just in case, the number followed by a 'k' on a potentiometer is basically the higher the number, the more accurate it is.

Maplin stock code for a 5v regulator is LM323K (sometimes I wish I could forget those numbers :( ). That regulator is good for 3A.

Re: regulating a circuit
 

cheers baph, sounds like they shouldn't have let you go:p