Mike DeMetz wrote:
>
> > A switching power supply?
> > How about 2(or 3??) voltage regulators to step
> > down the voltage with less of a drop?
> > Are there any hang-ups with a switching supply?
> > This is an automotive application, and noise can be high
> > I would like to keep parts count to a minumum.
> >
> How about National's Simple Switcher.
> LM2575T-5.0,330uH inductor,1N5822 diode,220&100uF caps.
> 7-35v in, 5V,1A out.

Also check out Micrel.
They seem to have expertise in SMPSUs, and are putting it to
use by designing improved versions of other people's
popular SMPSU chips (like National's!).
Things like faster switching speed, smaller inductors,
higher efficiencies, etc. Tech support was good in the UK,
I learnt a lot from their tech support engineers.