Small Spot

[Budlong]

I have a GPS mounted just to the left of the steering wheel. Tho it has a backlight, at times it needs an external spotlight to make it visible. Quickbeam's review of the Inova X1 doesn't like the X1's narrow beam with no spillover. But that would be just perfect for this application. I would hard-mount it on the post behind my left ear, aimed at the GPS screen.

Can anyone give advice on how to knock down the 13.5 volt car voltage to the 1.6 volts the X1 expects?

 

[JimH]

Think the other way around. If the spot in the X1 is due to optics or a reflector, what about replacing the led in the x1 with a 12 volt led. I picked some up at a marine supply store and built my own micro box. I put in a resister and togle switch so I could have full light, half light, and off positions. My point is 12 volt led instead of 1.6 volt supply.

 

[B@rt]

Adding a voltage regulator to the powerline will be much easier to do than swapping a led I would think... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif there are lots of voltage regulators with a fixed output, but I'm an electronics illiterate /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif so I don't know if there are wich are able to drop that much voltage. There are others that are adjustable as well.
Probably both can be had at a radioschack or simular store.

BTW, the 1.6 V input might be a bit high, and give a beam that is too bright.

I'm sure someone with electronics knowledge will chime in to correct/add to my comments. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

AFAIK you could even put several diodes in series to drop the voltage to an acceptable level /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif


Oops, almost forgot...

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Draco_Americanus]

one could use a LM317 voltage regulator. they can be found in their native habitat at your local radio shack. There should be a hook up diagram on the back of the package and they should stock any other parts you should need. They may also have a direct plug in adaptor as well, then you would not need to build one.