LEUNG LAUREN KWAN-KIT wrote:


> As Myke has bring up the topic of "Step Up Power Converter", I'd like to
> know if any of you have use something that can boost maybe 4 AA ->
> 9V/12V... or 6 AA -> 12V.... etc...
>

Hi,

   It isn't too tough for small currents, a 7660, available from several
manufacturers, will give a nominal 9 volts from 4 cells and a nominal 12
volts from 6 cells. You will need to add two capacitors and probably a diode
too.

Voltage multipliers can get rather power hungry so if you have a spare PIC
output it's worth turning it off when you aren't using it.

For larger currents Astec offer a range of converter modules up to 6W which
offer 80% efficiency and convert 4.5-5.5 volts into 12V, 15V, +/- 12V or +/-
15V.  I would expect several other manufacturers to offer similar modules
but these are available from Radiospares who probably have a subsidiary in
your area too.

Hope this is some help,

Keith.
==========================================================
Keith Dowsett         "Variables won't; constants aren't."

E-mail:      kdowsett@rpms.ac.uk
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Snail mail:  MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Cyclotron Unit.
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