How to power my circuit.

On 8/17/12 4:20 PM, Jasen Betts wrote:
> On 2012-08-16, Daniel Pitts <newsgroup.nospam@virtualinfinity.net> wrote:
>> For prototyping purposes, I ended up buying a 5v linear voltage
>> regulator from Radio Shack.  It lets me power my project from a 9v
>> battery.  I don't know how the performance is, whether it's sufficient
>> for a wearable or always-on.  If I wanted a non-wearable always-on, I
>> can get a wall adapter.
>
> Those 9V batteires are one of the most expensive ways to buy electricity,
> and the regulator is throwing almost half the energy away.
>
> 4 rechargable AA Nimh cells get you the voltage you need and will run
> for 5 times longer between charges. 4xAAA cells will cost about the
> same as AA but be about as heavy as the 9V and still outlast it by a
> factor of 2
>
Thanks for the tip.

The regulator I bought (from radio shack, just to get started on 
something) has a rated minimum voltage of 7v, which is just above 4xAA. 
  However, I don't know that my project needs a full 5v. I actually have 
a 4xAA pack, so I could try it and see if it powers my project sufficiently.

If I ever "mass produce" this project (meaning make more than 1), I'll 
try to find a more efficient power system.


Thanks,
Daniel.