How to turn 12 volts into 5?

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Forum Name: General Discussion
Forum Discription: General Mobile Electronics Questions and Answers
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=30420
Printed Date: July 18, 2025 at 8:40 PM

Topic: How to turn 12 volts into 5?

Posted By: BLu00dime
Subject: How to turn 12 volts into 5?
Date Posted: April 15, 2004 at 12:16 PM

Does anyone know how to make 12 volts into 5 i know you need a resistor but what ohm? Any help would be greatly appreciated thanks

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I like my trucks like my women clean shaven.........

Replies:

Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: April 15, 2004 at 4:34 PM

https://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Bill_Bowden/r2.htm

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Posted By: xetmes
Date Posted: April 15, 2004 at 7:34 PM

what kind of current do you plan on drawings? a few ways to do it, zener, voltage regulatior... each has its purpose

Posted By: audiokid1
Date Posted: April 16, 2004 at 12:56 AM

I am assuming that you are using one thing that needs to be powered by 5 volts. If so a voltage divider won't do you much good. You are looking for a voltage regulator which can be achieved with the Zener diode. When looking for the right Zener you must pay attention to the maximum zener current rating. You may also limit the current going through the diode by using a current limiting resistor which goes in series with the load. If your application demands alot of current, you will need to use a pass transistor in series with the zener diode. These 2 components go in parallel with whatever the load is that you are trying to drive. I guess before we get to in depth with this you explain why you need the 12 volts converted to 5 volts.

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Posted By: flynntech
Date Posted: April 25, 2004 at 4:28 AM

why not use a cheap cell phone adapter?

Posted By: steph280
Date Posted: April 27, 2004 at 12:30 PM

Sorry for a newbie question, but why can't a simple resistor be used? Does the voltage fluxuate without regulators?

Thanks,

Stephen

Posted By: xetmes
Date Posted: April 27, 2004 at 1:05 PM

resistors can be used... but you have to know the operating range of the device and other characteristcs to choose a proper resistor values, unless you designed the circuit its just easier to use regulators