Need to drop 12v to 3v for my video camera.

[Pfloydgad]

Any ideas or scematics for doing this. Batteries are killing me cost wise.
I found a very nice Midland video camera, but it eats AAA battersie like it is its last meal.
Does anyone have a scematic for making a circuit that will drop the 12v to 3v.
Any help is really appreciated.
And as always, ride safe all.
Greg

[lt1]

What kind of power input plug does the camera use?  You s/b able to find a cigar/car adapter that has a 3v output.  I have one that is switchable from 3-12v.  Can you use a USB adapter to power the camera?

One other option is to buy rechargeable batteries. 

[Rick Hall]

Plenty, a linear voltage regulator will do. The simplest ones are just a three pin chip like a LM-317.

Here, applications included in the file:
http://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/tl780-05.pdf

Rick

[Outback_Jon]

One other option is to buy rechargeable batteries.

Quality AAA NiMH batteries and a good charger can save a bunch in the long run.  (I spent $50 on a Maha charger that only does AA and AAA batteries, but can do all sorts of wonderful and geeky things to prolong or revive batteries.  My name's Jon, and I'm a rechargeable battery addict...)

or, like lt1 suggested, Radio Shaft and other electronics places sell car adapters that can be switched to different voltages.  They usually come with a bunch of different connectors so they'll plug into almost anything.

[Pfloydgad]

There are no external power slots for this model. I will have to hard wire what ever I can come up with, and probably dual hook-up with some of the rechargable batts mentioned. If I can keep a steady flow of power for the rech. batts, it should not run out of juice.
Thanks so far for the input, it looks promising.
Ride safe all,
Greg

[mdr]

AAA's???  Wow.  That sucks.

Aftermarket rechargeable battery pack with increased capacity?

Get a D cell battery holder and wire that up.  Lots more capacity and easy peasy.  At least according to Wikipedia, it's about 10X.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_battery_sizes

Battery holder with leads.  This one is a 4 cell, probably all in series.  If you can either find a 2 cell, or reconfigure this one for series-parallel, you're good.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062243#

Or like this one, but either plastic or wrap it with an inner tube and zip ties
http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Keystone-Electronics/2233/?qs=lQmX4aIt5iD4efQeu6DDFA%3d%3d

If you've got a Fry's Electronics nearby, check it too.  Also Batteries Plus, Allied Electronics, Digikey, Element 14, etc...