Using Lipo's; an alternative to 6v regulator?

[stuuk]

Hi All

Whe using a 7.4v lipo wouldn't a couple of power diodes in series or one half of a bridge rectifier be an alternative to a 6v regulator?

This should give appx 1.5 volt forward voltage drop giving a 5.9volt output.

Is this viable or am i missing something?

Thanks

Stu

[Voelker]

fully charged 7.4v lipos has a voltage of 8.4v. Thihe means that you would need a volatge drop of 2.4v at full charge and a drop of 1.4v when discharged. The regulator gives a fixed output whenever the input voltage decreases. The diode won't give a fixed voltage drop, as it depends of the current. Regulator is surely the best solution as it often provides a protection cricuitry for your battery.

[stuuk]

Good point

I'll look for a regulator

Thanks

[tum]

I've been looking for a good regulator too. The best I could find so far is castle creations one. It's an adjustable switching regulator so it wastas very little power compared to a standard linear regulator (or diode) which just wastes the extra power as heat.

It's bloody expensive tho so I haven't yet convinced myself to pull out the credit card and buy it. You now only have to buy the regulator you have to buy an expensive USB cable used to program its output voltage

Here's a link: http://www.castlecreations.com/products/cc_bec.html