>     (2) If I have A/C anyway, is there a inexpensive way (i.e. less than
>     the cost of a AC/DC adapter) to convert A/C to a DC in the PIC
>     operating voltage?
>
>     -Edwin

Easy and inexpensive to do, but you sacrifice isolation from the power
line. This opens up a whole bag of worms related to safety, which you
should look at very, very carefully.

Reg

.....................Reg Neale.....................
"Ignorance is a renewable resource"   P.J. O'Rourke