>> might it not be wize to either create a small voltage regulation
>> circuit using a zener, or even a circuit with an LM7805?
>
>That's what I'm trying to figure out.  a 7805 is completely out,
>since it needs close to 3V of headroom to regulate and consumes
>a lot  of current on its own.  There are low-dropout regulators
>with low quiescent current, but the closer to perfect they get,
>the more expensive they get.

maybe you need to look at the regulator I mentioned here recently. Linear
Technology LTC3448, but another possibility would be LT3470.

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