> I don't know how frequent it is that a battery goes below 5V during > starting. I'm not sure, but I gather that there isn't much starting torque > anymore at this voltage, so maybe you can design with a workable > minimum voltage For ordinary 12V automotive I doubt you'd get any turnover from a battery at that voltage. Below 10.6V they're considered flat Diode isolation between the battery and a reservoir cap should be enough Someone did post an automotive 5V PSU a while ago. IIRC it included a pi filter comprising a couple of coils, with additional diodes and caps, and perhaps a zener too, all before a 5V regulator I have an idea it was one of the Bobs -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist