Power Source

Hi Folks, I'm looking into trying to make a homemade power source for my scope from a portable 12v lead-acid battery. I'm no electrician, so I'm wondering if anyone can tell me how to get 3v dc (for my reticle) and 6v dc (for my camera) out of the battery, in addition to the 12v dc for my scope. essentially, i want a celestron power tank, but i'm wondering if i can do it myself. (i'll probably end up buying a power tank, though). I've been looking at voltage regulators and converters on ebay, but i dont really know what i need or what to look for. any suggestions?
thanks!
-dave

You could build a board that used resistors to drop the voltage to the required voltage I guess. Radio Shack would have everything you needed. There are probably some ready to use voltage reducers available as well.
http://www.powerstream.com/dc6.htm
http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/mrc/mrcat880.htm
Here are a couple of ideas, but there are many others.
Floyd

Hi David,

You can certainly make these type of things, but I think a place like Radio Shack would sell 12V to whatever voltage you want converters. But I suspect after you bought all these items, the cost would approach the Power Tanks cost : )

If you have one of the 12V to 120VAC converters that are so cheap now, you could then just plug in inexpensive "wall wart" type 3 and 6V converters. Again see Radio Shack or maybe a hardware store.

David Simons