regulating a circuit

[Wideboy]

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

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).

[Wideboy]

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

[yorkie_chris]

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.

[Wideboy]

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

[yorkie_chris]

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

[Wideboy]

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

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.

[Wideboy]

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