Voltage/electronics help needed.

I have 18V tool batteries that I would like to run some 12V items with. Tachometer, helmet blower etc. Does anyone have experience using 18V to operate 12 Volt items without damage? Voltage regulator you have used?

Thanks in advance for any help.
Rusty

 

Mike,
I have not checked the Volts. Please let me know if you have a solution to bring the voltage down.
thanks.

 

There are a couple of options for voltage regulation. You are going to need to know how much 12V current is going to be required first. For something under 1 amp (like your Tach) a LM7812 will work just fine. It's a circuit board device that will need to be soldered and up to a little prototype board. That stuffs available at your local radio shack. You'll need a couple of capacitors on the input and output to handle any spikes or ripple. For higher current applications a small DC/DC converter might work. Places like Digi-key and Mouser will carry this stuff. I have never run a DC/DC converter in the high noise environment (EMI/RFI) of a race car so I can't say for sure if it will work reliably.

Steve

 

Check with Star Racing. It looks like they get 18v. Milwaukee batteries to work on dragbikes.

 

http://store.valueweb.com/servlet/starrace/-strse-Batteries--fdsh--Spark-Plugs/Categories

There being used in racing.

Blessings.........Ron Clevenger

 

I use a Milwaukee M18 battery to run my electronics, and as Mike stated, be careful because when you pull the battery off the charger its more like 20 volts.

All my stuff lived when I hit them with the 20 volts but I don't have any real sensitive electronics, just solinoids and an air valve.

Just came across this unit on Amazon, I don't know how good it is but it says it does what you require.
http://www.amazon.com/Gino-Power-Stepdown-Converter-18V-32V/dp/B007Q94FIG

 

The step down voltage unit looks great if it is durable enough..... I had talked to Randy at RPM and as usual he was very willing to help but he was unable to find an off the shelf converter that he thought would work. I figured if anybody could help it would be him.... I did finally find a 14.4 Makita that uses the same mount and charger, so i may just give that a shot. That might keep me under 16V.

Thanks to those who responded, Thanks Mark K for the call and Thanks ITA.

 

Voltage concerns

why not use a 24-12v convertor available from electronic shops etc, these accept input voltages of 18-30v (approx) and output a regulated 13.2v. They are cheap and available in various current ratings

 

Wildcat, do you have a link to a regulator that you are looking at?

 

Here's one that maybe you could use.

http://www.newark.com/jsp/search/pr...61&CMP=KNC-GPLA&mckv=|pcrid|20115695421|plid|

 

Thanks for the Link Blownalky, I will check into this product.