On Mar 16, 2009, at 6:49 PM, Joshua Shriver wrote:

> I'm a beginner and picked up this nifty dual LCD module at hamfest
> (http://tinyurl.com/cnpvgv).
>
> Anyway, it connects to the serial port of your computer, but requires
> a "7805 or equivalent voltage regulated power supply of 5v."
> The seller said you could just plug the red end to part of your
> keyboard port for the 5V.
>
> Is there a better solution?  As a beginner 5V seems common for PIC's
> and other homebrew projects.  What do you all recommend as an
> inexpensive way to get this? Preferably something I can plug into the
> wall so I'm not using batteries.
>
> Sidenote: I went to Radio Shack to see what they had, and the lady
> asked what amperage. Seemed like an honest question as I dont know
> "what a computer uses?" lol. The page or the LCD kit doesn't mention
> it. So any pointers there are also appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Josh
> kd8fmz

Pretty much any 5v wall wart will give you what you need. LCDs don't  
use much current. Alternately you could try hacking up a USB cable to  
get the power, although you only get 500ma and you run the risk of  
blowing the USB port if you managed to hook it up to something nasty.

Another thing to consider if you will be doing much experimenting like  
that is to hack up an ATX power supply from a computer. Route some of  
the supply lines to bannana jacks mounted in the case, and you can get  
regulated 3.3, 5, and 12v.

-Pete
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