2010Steadi-Newbies forum
Stepping down battery voltage for powering camera accessories and devices
16 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- Most production gear tolerates voltage between 16 and 18 volts from a fresh battery charge
- A fixed voltage regulator like the 7812 can step down voltage to 12 volts for devices requiring that level
- The 7812 regulator typically handles up to 1 ampere and requires at least one capacitor in the circuit
- Adjustable voltage regulators can provide variable output ranges such as 4.5 to 9.5 volts for different device requirements
- Ready-made DC step-down converters are available cheaply as alternatives to building circuits from scratch
- Surplus mobile phone chargers or cigarette lighter adapters can be repurposed for stepping down voltage if the output specifications match the target device
- The regulator selected must handle the amperage required by the powered device
Depends on
- Building custom power circuits requires understanding electronic fundamentals and reading device specifications before construction
- Risk of equipment damage or fire exists if an improperly designed circuit is used on set
- The 7812 regulator specification is one example among many voltage regulators with different characteristics
- Sourcing surplus adapters requires verifying output voltage and current match the intended device